Just as important as baby’s first words, first step and first solid night’s sleep, is the first little tooth. Baby those baby teeth! You can’t start too soon. Experts recommend brushing baby’s teeth as soon as the first little tooth begins to appear through the gum. Brush that first tooth with a tiny, rice-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste on a small, soft toothbrush twice a day. It may seem early, but even baby teeth can get cavities. And cavities can hurt. Tooth decay can affect a baby’s ability to eat, grow, sleep, talk, learn, and smile. Brushing with safe and healthy fluoride toothpaste after baby’s last feeding before bed and one other time during the day–every day– helps new teeth (and baby!) grow strong.
Here are some tips on how to hold baby as you brush that first tooth:
- Cradle baby in your arm, sitting sideways in your lap. This way you can softly sing a song and talk to baby as you brush.
- Lay baby on a bed or the floor and position yourself at baby’s head, so you can see into the mouth.
- Get help! Ask another adult to join you: Sit in chairs facing each other with your knees touching. Hold baby facing you with legs around your waist, then lay baby’s head back into the other adult’s lap. One of you brushes baby’s teeth.
Remember: keep it positive...even if baby cries. A soft, soothing voice and encouraging words starting with the very first tooth helps both you and baby develop a healthy habit for a lifetime.
Want to make sure you use the right amount of safe and healthy fluoride toothpaste for a baby? Download the handy, free toothpaste app– in both English and Spanish!
