New parent, brand new baby, and suddenly there’s a tiny tooth poking through your little one’s gum. Congratulations — and also, now what? Brushing infant teeth is one of those things nobody really explains ahead of time, so if you’re a little unsure about how it works, you’re in good company. Your questions about children’s dental health, answered!
Here’s what you need to know, without overcomplicating it.
When do you start?
Even before any teeth come in, you can gently wipe your baby’s gums with a soft, damp cloth after feedings. This helps clear bacteria and gets them used to the sensation. Which makes the transition to actual brushing a lot smoother.
Once that first tooth appears (usually somewhere between 4 and 7 months), it’s time to start brushing. Yes, even if it’s just one tiny tooth. Baby teeth are important. They hold space for adult teeth, help with speech development, and affect how your child chews and eats.
What do you use?
For infants, you’ll want a soft-bristled toothbrush made for babies. They have a small head and a big, easy-to-hold handle. Use a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste. That’s genuinely tiny, but it’s all you need at this stage.
Once your child turns three, you can bump that up to a pea-sized amount. The key is to make sure they spit it out rather than swallow it, something you’ll be reminding them of for a good few years.
How do you do it?
Gently. Twice a day. Thirty seconds or so is plenty for a small mouth with just a few teeth. Try to brush all surfaces: front, back, and the chewing surface if the tooth is far enough along to have one.
A lot of parents find it easiest to lay their baby on a changing table or their lap so they have a clear view. Some babies love it; some really don’t. If yours is the second type, keep it calm, keep it consistent, and it usually gets easier over time.
When should baby see a dentist?
The Canadian Dental Association recommends a first dental visit within 6 months of the first tooth appearing, or by age one — whichever comes first. We know that might seem early, but these early visits are low-key and genuinely helpful. We do a quick check on how things are developing, look at the gums and any teeth that have come in, and talk through any questions you have as a parent.
We call them Happy Visits at Dentistry on 43, and that’s genuinely what they are — a chance for your little one to get comfortable with the dental chair, meet our team, and associate the dentist with a positive experience before anything more involved ever needs to happen. It sets them up for a lifetime of easier dental appointments, which is a gift worth giving early.
A few things worth avoiding
- Putting babies to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice. Liquid pools around the teeth and causes early decay
- Sharing spoons or blowing on food to cool it. This can transfer cavity-causing bacteria from your mouth to theirs
- Skipping the dentist because “they’re just baby teeth” — those teeth matter more than their temporary nature suggests
Ready to book your little one’s first visit? We love welcoming the smallest members of Peace Country families. Call (780) 500-1001 or book a Happy Visit online.
