Infant Oral Hygiene
When Do Teeth Appear?
On average, first teeth erupt at around 6-12 months (usually the lower middle two). However, each kid is different, so if yours doesn't have teeth eruption until a little afterwards, that's OK too! If there's no teeth by 18 months, see a dentist for further evaluation to rule out genetic, nutritional, and hormonal causes.
When And How Should I Start Brushing?
No Teeth: As a newborn, use a clean washcloth or gauze dipped in water to gently rub the tongue and gums (at least daily). After 12 weeks, you can use a silicone finger brush or infant toothbrush trainer. No toothpaste is used.
First Teeth: Once teeth erupt (even if only 1 or 2!), transition to an infant toothbrush (smaller head, soft bristles) with a smear of infant toothpaste twice daily. American Academy of Pediatrics & American Dental Academy recommend fluoride-containing toothpaste, which strengthens enamel and prevents cavities. Use a washcloth to wipe away toothpaste during brushing if your infant is too young to spit.
Avoid SLS (which leads to canker sores), essential oils, and harsh whitening agents (which can destroy enamel) in the ingredients list of toothpastes.
What Is a Smear Of Toothpaste?
A smear of toothpaste is no larger than the size of a grain of rice, and should be used for all children less than 3 years of age. After 3 years, use a pea-sized amount (always make sure your child is spitting out the toothpaste).
Help! My Child Won’t Let Me Brush!
This is extremely common. You're not alone, and developing this habit definitely won't occur overnight! It takes lots of trial, error, and consistency until your child is comfortable with the routine, and that's OK. If you can only get a successful brush in once every other day, that's better than nothing. Give yourself grace. Try some of the techniques mentioned here if you're struggling.
When Should I Start Flossing?
You can start flossing once two teeth have erupted next to each other.
When And How Often Should My Child See The Dentist?
Schedule a visit as soon as the first tooth appears (1st birthday at the latest). Seeing the dentist early is important for an initial exam, fluoride varnish treatment, oral hygiene guidance, and getting your child used to routine dental visits, especially for more anxious or fearful little ones. See the dentist every 6 months.
Where Do I Find A Pediatric Dentist?
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has a database where you can search via Zip Code.
What If I Can’t Find A Pediatric Dentist?
In some areas, a pediatric dentist is hard to find, or can have a long waitlist. If you can't see a dentist before 1 year for these reasons, your pediatrician is a great bridge resource (we can do fluoride treatments, answer questions, and offer dentist recommendations).
Product Recommendations:
All About Fluoride:
What Is It? A mineral. It is often in tap water (check your city's status here).
Why Is It Good? It has been shown to strengthen enamel and decrease risk of cavities. This is why we routinely do varnish treatments in children.
Can It Be Harmful? In typical amounts used for oral hygiene, it’s safe to use and has noted benefits. In excess amounts (as with anything in life), it can cause adverse effects, namely white streaking on teeth . Some studies suggest an association with neurologic disorders, though there’s no conclusive data (Nature 2021), which is why it's still recommended by AAP and AAPD. If you’re careful about the amount of toothpaste you’re using, you should be fine!
If you're still concerned, an option is to use fluoride-free toothpaste.
