There are many stages to dental care for babies and toddlers due to the staggered eruption of baby teeth as well as the change in their diet from milk to solid foods.
Firstly, let’s look at a typical timeline for tooth eruptions by approximate age.
As you can see by the timeline, eruptions usually start around the 6 month mark and complete with a full set of twenty baby teeth by 33 months(around 2.5-3 years old).
Start the routine at an early age to instil good habits.
Use small circular motions for effective cleaning.
Introduce the toothbrush at other times of the day, like nappy changing and bath time.
Give your baby a soft-bristled baby toothbrush to brush with at the same time and take turns in brushing.
Once a week, we recommend that you soak the toothbrush in vinegar overnight. This will effectively kill germs and ensure proper oral hygiene.
In summary, when they first pop through!
Toothpaste isn’t necessary at the beginning. At the age of about 18 months you can start using a smear of toothpaste. Be sure to teach your toddler to spit the toothpaste out, especially if using a low-fluoride toothpaste. From 3 years old, you can increase the toothpaste amount to about the size of a grain of rice. Be sure to keep the lid and tube of toothpaste clean and free from product build up.
It is recommended to schedule a visit when the first teeth erupt at around 6-8 months old. Otherwise before your baby turns one. Ongoing yearly check-ups are recommended.
What happens if your baby refuses to let you brush their teeth?
Easy! Brush your baby’s teeth while they are laying down.
No account yet?
Create an Account
