Toothbrushing (Babies)

Key Messages:

• Start brushing your baby's teeth as soon as they start to come through.
• Brushing removes plaque, a white sticky film containing bacteria which covers the teeth and gums.   Brushing away the plaque keeps teeth and gums healthy.
• Use a baby toothbrush with a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride strengthens teeth and prevents tooth decay (holes).
• The amount of fluoride in your toothpaste can usually be found on the side of the tube or on the packaging. Toothpaste should have at least 1000ppm fluoride; 1350 to 1500ppm fluoride gives your child the best protection. Most ‘own brand’ supermarket toothpastes are suitable and more affordable.
• Don't worry if you don't manage to brush much at first. The important thing is to get your baby used to brushing their teeth as part of their daily routine. You can help by setting a good example and letting them see you brushing your own teeth.
• Brush all the surfaces of the teeth and gumline in small circles for around 2 minutes, just before bedtime and at another time that fits in with your routine.
• The easiest way to brush a baby's teeth is to sit them on your knee, with their head resting against your chest.
• Encourage your child to spit the toothpaste out afterwards. When we brush, our toothpaste builds a protective layer of fluoride around our teeth.
  If you rinse your mouth with water, you wash it all away. 
• Always supervise toothbrushing to make sure your child only has a smear of toothpaste on their brush, and they're not eating or licking toothpaste from the tube.