When Should You Start Brushing Your Baby's Teeth with a Finger Toothbrush?

Updated on 3 November 2023

As parents, we all want the best for our children's health and well-being. One of the most important aspects of a child's health is their dental hygiene. Proper dental care starts from a very young age, and it's crucial to establish good habits early on. But when exactly should you start brushing your baby's teeth? And what is the best way to do it? In this guide, we'll explore when you should start brushing your baby's teeth with a finger toothbrush, why it's important, and provide tips on how to make the process as easy and effective as possible.

How Can You Care For Your Baby’s First Tooth?

A baby’s first tooth can emerge anytime between their fourth or twelfth month. Caring for your baby's first tooth is crucial for setting the foundation for good oral hygiene habits. Here are some tips on how to care for your baby's first tooth:

1. Wipe the gums

Before the first tooth appears, it's important to clean the baby's gums with a soft, moistened washcloth, gauze or a finger toothbursh after each feeding.

2. Use a finger toothbrush

As soon as the first tooth appears, you can start using a finger toothbrush with soft bristles to clean the tooth and massage the gums.

3. Use fluoride toothpaste

Once your child has two teeth that touch, it's time to start using fluoride toothpaste. Use a small amount (about the size of a grain of rice) and brush twice a day.

4. Supervise brushing

It's important to supervise your child's brushing until around age 6 and lead by example.

5. Schedule dental visits

Your child's first dental exam should be scheduled by age 1 or after the first tooth appears. Regular dental check-ups can help prevent tooth decay and promote healthy permanent teeth.

When Should You Teach Your Baby Good Oral Practices?

Before your baby starts teething, you can use a soft washcloth or your finger brush to slowly wipe off the food stains on your baby’s gums. Apart from that, don’t forget to wipe under your baby’s lip region. This is one of the regions where bacteria can build up quite quickly. If your baby has started teething but have not learned how to spit yet, you may want to use a soft damp kids finger toothbrush to remove food stains off your baby’s teeth and gum line. For children who have not crossed the age of 3 yet, you can use a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste.

Mylo Feels Natural Finger Brush is designed to promote good oral hygiene for babies. It effectively removes oral stains, milk stains, and tongue coating. It has a double-sided design, one side has soft bristles for cleaning teeth while the other side has massage bumps for gentle gum massage. You can also use the back to clean their tongue. The Oral Massager helps relieve teething discomfort. Made from premium silicone material, these toddler finger toothbrushes are 100% food-grade, BPA-free, and completely safe for your child to chew.

Is It OK To Use A Fluoride Toothpaste For Your Baby?

Many doctors recommend using fluoride toothpaste since fluoride is considered safe as well as effective when it comes to young children. But, you may want to not exceed the recommended amount of usage. If your baby consumes a small amount, you do not have to worry about any adverse effects.

Consuming way too much toothpaste can lead to tummy problems. Thus, make sure to supervise your kids whenever they use toothpaste when brushing. Some children like the taste of toothpaste; hence you would want to keep it in a place that is unreachable to your young ones.

Conclusion

You may want to start brushing your baby’s teeth with a finger toothbrush with soft bristles the moment you see the first tooth pop out. You can either use a finger brush or stick to a soft cloth to remove the food stains off your baby’s teeth. It is also crucial that you book a pediatric dentist appointment at least once in three months!

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