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Dr Claire Stevens, Director, British Society of Paediatric Dentists
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Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry and President of the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD)
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Babies' oral health

Baby teeth care

Good oral hygiene begins when your baby's milk teeth come through. By the time your baby has her first birthday she will probably have several white milk teeth – also called baby teeth.
Video Tutorial
In Short
Start brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as the first tooth comes through.

Brush twice a day using very small, gentle, circular movements.

Ages 0-3 – use just a smear of toothpaste containing more than 1000ppm fluoride.

Fruit juice and fizzy drinks have no place in a baby's diet - only milk is appropriate for babies and after the age of 6 months, water can be introduced in a free flow cup.

Don’t put anything other than milk or water in your baby’s bottle.

Stop giving your baby a bottle by the age of one.

In short, once your baby's first teeth comes through it is recommended that you take her to the dentist - certainly by the age of one.

Looking after your baby’s teeth

It’s very exciting when your baby’s teeth first start to come through, although some babies really suffer from teething pain. As well as soothing them during teething it is important to begin looking after your baby’s teeth from the start.

Cleaning your baby’s teeth

When your baby’s teeth first come through, you should begin gentle tooth cleaning. You can use a small first baby toothbrush or there are some cleaning tools that you can slip over your finger for a gentler clean. Just make sure you wash your hands before putting them in your baby’s mouth and keep toothbrushes and cloths clean.

Public Health England recommends fluoride toothpaste but make sure that your baby doesn’t swallow it and only use a smear of the toothpaste.

  • Ages 0 – 3 – use a smear of toothpaste with more than 1000 ppm fluoride.

Smear (Photo courtesy of Public Health England)

Blob (Photo courtesy of Public Health England)

You should take your baby to the dentist when their first teeth come through. Go at least once a year, unless your dentist recommends you should come in more often.

If based in the UK you can register for free with an NHS dentists and book your baby in for regular check-ups with the dentist. Dental care in the UK with the NHS is free for children up to the age of 18 (or up to 19 if in full-time education).

Change your baby’s toothbrush when the bristles start to look messy and curve outwards.

Food, drink and oral health
  • Only give your baby milk or water to drink.
  • Don’t put anything other than milk in a bottle.
  • Graduate your older baby onto an open topped cup if they haven’t learned to use one already.
Does it matter if I don’t clean my baby’s teeth?

Yes! By the time your baby has her first birthday she will probably have several white milk teeth – also called baby teeth. Although these will fall out during childhood to be replaced with permanent teeth, it is important to take care of your baby’s teeth and instil good oral hygiene early on. By the time many babies enter toddlerhood they are already suffering from painful tooth decay which requires invasive dental treatment and sometimes extractions carried out under general anesthetic.

Please click here for further information from the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry.

DISCLAIMER
This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Essential Parent has used all reasonable care in compiling the information from leading experts and institutions but makes no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details click here.