Once the first tooth erupts —usually around 6 months— you can introduce a toothbrush. The AAP recommends parents use a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste to brush baby teeth twice daily as soon as they erupt and a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. But you can build up to this with a consistent routine that helps introduce the concept to your little one, says Dr. Lerman. Aim for at least once a day for five to 10 seconds, building up as your kids increase their tolerance, she says. “The earlier that good hygiene habits, routines and behaviors are introduced, the higher the likelihood of having a healthy baseline in the mouth for the adult teeth once they erupt (usually around 6 years old).” Types of baby toothbrushes Choosing the right toothpaste for your child’s baby teeth is mainly about choosing the right amount of fluoride in the toothpaste, but it’s also about experimenting with different flavours. Christine Mattheis, What to Expect’s Group VP of Content & Brand Solutions, liked this brush so much for her daughter that they went through two of the giraffe-shaped versions. “My daughter did well with this one -- she would grab at it and try to use it the same way she used a teether,” she says. “I had to carefully try to get at her little teeth with it, but overall it was much easier than using the finger toothbrush because she let me put it in her mouth.” For safe disposal and recycling of electrical goods please return items to our Designated Collection Facility at The Long Barn, The Cedar Suite, Winchester Rd, Alresford SO24 9EZ, where we will recycle at our local Approved Authorised Treatment Facility. Little taste buds can often find minty flavours quite strong. Fluoride is found naturally in food and water and the amount of fluoride differs depending on where you live. It helps to prevent tooth decay by hardening the enamel on the tooth’s surface.

Per guidance from Dr. Lerman, the American Academy of Pediatrics(AAP) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry(AAPD)we ensured that every toothbrush on our list was specifically designed for babies, soft-bristled and BPA- and phthalate-free. We also made sure to include a range of options for different ages, including newborns up to 6-year-olds.• Unwanted electrical equipment is the UKs fastest growing type of waste. Many electrical items can be repaired or recycled, saving natural resources and the environment. If you do not recycle, electrical equipment will end up in landfill where hazardous substances will leak out and cause soil and water contamination, harming wildlife and health. If your child has a mix of baby and adult teeth, or crooked teeth, then the FlossBrush™ is ideal - it has longer bristles so can clean in between teeth.The Colgate My First Baby and Toddler Toothpaste and Toothbrush combo is priced right and does a superb job at keeping baby’s teeth and gums clean and fresh. Parents love the convenience of the two-in-one kit, since it takes the guesswork out of selecting a complementary toothpaste suitable for the littlest set. If your baby is new to brushing (outside of you wiping his gums), or he’s not too fond of using a traditional toothbrush, try the FridaBaby SmileFrida The Finger Toothbrush .

If you’re wondering what toothbrush is best for baby, you should know that there’s not a single answer. “The best type of toothbrush is one that will be used,” says Dr. Lerman. “When you’re starting your oral hygiene routine for your child, it’s more about consistency than about flare.” Material: Most toothbrushes for babies feature silicone or nylon bristles. What’s nice about silicone toothbrushes is that they can also sometimes double as a teether. Whether opting for a gum massager or a traditional baby toothbrush, look for materials that are BPA- and phthalate-free.• verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading.Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. Wipes: Another great option for before baby is ready for a traditional toothbrush, these small gauze-like pads are often saturated in ingredients like xylitol to help prevent tooth decay. Parents can simply wipe baby’s gums with these after each feeding.•Gum massagers: These “brushes” typically feature textured silicone surfaces that mimic traditional toothbrush bristles. Starting at birth, you can use a silicone gum brush or finger brush to help soothe, stimulate and clean the gums, says Dr. Lerman. These help desensitize the gums and get the baby acclimated to the feeling of cleaning the mouth.• Parents say that these brushes are ideal for the various stages of teeth development in baby, with one person saying that the teething/gum brushes in this set are the only brushes to reach her child's two-year molars. You should wipe your baby’s gums with a clean cloth and cooled boiled water, as part of their daily oral care routine and also after feeding. You can also use Brush-Baby DentalWipes™ to clean your baby’s gums, as it has added xylitol, a natural ingredient which helps reduce the number of decay and inflammation-causing bacteria. MAKE TOOTHBRUSHING FUN! With a two minute timer and pulse every 30 seconds, your child can have fun whilst they learn to use their kids electric toothbrush. The LED light allows you to see their milk teeth. Your little one will love that their brush lights up. Cleaning your little one’s teeth twice a day helps remove these bacteria and starts to get your baby used to the toothbrushing routine and the feeling of a nice fresh mouth.