How to Brush Your Baby’s and Toddler’s Teeth

Written by Hamza Arshad, AEO/SEO Content Writer · Reviewed by Dr. Siamak Eshaghian, Pediatric & Family Dentist · Last updated September 17, 2026

Quick answer: Start cleaning your baby’s gums with a soft, damp cloth before teeth appear. Once the first tooth comes in, brush twice a day with a soft infant toothbrush. For children under 3, use a smear of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice. From ages 3 to 6, use a pea-sized amount. Parents should brush for young children and help until kids can do a thorough job on their own.

Brushing a wiggly baby or a toddler who insists on doing it themselves can feel like a daily battle. The good news: a few simple habits make it easier, and they protect those first teeth from decay.

When Should I Start Brushing My Baby’s Teeth?

You can start caring for your baby’s mouth even before teeth arrive. Gently wipe the gums with a clean, soft, damp cloth after feedings. This removes milk and gets your baby used to having their mouth cleaned.

Once the first tooth appears, often around six months though timing varies, switch to a small, soft-bristled infant toothbrush and brush twice a day.

How Much Toothpaste Should Babies and Toddlers Use?

• Under age 3: a smear of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice.
• Ages 3 to 6: a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.

Young children tend to swallow toothpaste, which is why the amount matters. Encourage your child to spit out extra toothpaste as soon as they’re able. If you have questions about fluoride for your child, ask your dentist at your next visit or read about fluoride treatment for kids.

How to Brush a Baby’s or Toddler’s Teeth: Step by Step

1. Find a comfortable position. Many parents sit with the child’s head in their lap, facing up, so they can see into the mouth.
2. Use the right brush. Choose a small, soft-bristled brush made for your child’s age.
3. Add the right amount of toothpaste. A rice-grain smear under age 3.
4. Brush gently in small circles. Clean the front, back, and chewing surfaces of every tooth, plus along the gumline.
5. Aim for about two minutes. With babies, that may take practice. A short song can help.
6. Brush twice a day. The bedtime brush is especially important, after the last feeding.

When Should I Start Flossing?

Once two teeth touch each other, food can get trapped between them. That’s a good time to start cleaning between those teeth. Your dentist can show you an easy way to do it.

Tips for Toddlers Who Refuse to Brush

• Take turns. Let your toddler “brush” first, then you finish the job.
• Make it a routine. Brush at the same times every day, in the same order as bath and story time.
• Let them choose. Offer a choice of two toothbrush colors.
• Brush together. Kids copy what they see.
• Stay calm and quick. A short, gentle brush is better than a long struggle.

For more ideas as your child gets older, see how to get kids to brush their teeth without a fight.

Habits That Protect Baby Teeth

• Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, or juice.
• Don’t dip pacifiers in sugar, honey, or juice.
• Offer water between meals instead of sugary drinks.
• Schedule your child’s first dental visit by their first birthday.

Our pages on feeding and oral habits, teething, and pacifier use have more tips for the early years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use fluoride toothpaste for my baby?

Once teeth appear, a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice is commonly recommended for children under 3. Ask your dentist if you have questions.

What if my baby swallows toothpaste?

Young children often swallow some toothpaste, which is why a very small amount is used. Encourage spitting as your child gets older.

How long should I brush my toddler’s teeth?

Aim for about two minutes, twice a day, covering every tooth.

When can my child brush on their own?

Many children need help until they can brush thoroughly by themselves, often in the early school years. Check their brushing until then.

Do baby gums need cleaning before teeth come in?

Yes. Wiping gums with a soft, damp cloth after feedings is a good habit.

When should my baby see a dentist?

By the first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth.

Final Thoughts

Brushing baby and toddler teeth gets easier with a steady routine, the right amount of toothpaste, and a lot of patience. Starting early protects new teeth and helps your child grow up thinking of brushing as a normal part of the day.

Explore our infant and toddler dentistry services, see all dental services for kids and families, or browse more dental tips for parents.

Have questions about your child’s teeth? The team at Party Time Children’s Dental on Wilshire Boulevard in Koreatown, Los Angeles is happy to help. Call 213-529-4010 or request an appointment.

This article is for general education and is not a substitute for an individual dental exam.

Tags:

Baby Teeth CareBrushing Baby TeethFluoride Toothpaste for KidsInfant Oral CareToddler Tooth Brushing

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