It’s important to start brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as they appear. Your baby's teeth can still be affected by harmful decay, even at a very young age.
Clean your baby's teeth twice a day with toothpaste. When choosing a toothpaste, check the packaging for fluoride levels. Children under three should use a tooth-paste that contains about 1000ppm of fluoride. The fluoride levels can be found on the toothpaste packaging.
At first, you may find it easier to use a piece of clean gauze or cloth wrapped around your finger.
As more teeth appear, you should use a toothbrush that is specifically designed for babies. These toothbrushes have soft, small heads which help prevent any damage to the gums. Make sure that you gently massage around the teeth and gums with the toothbrush.
You only need to use a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste when your child is a baby. There are several toothpastes specifically designed for babies and children.
Find out more about the signs of teething
