How to Brush an Infant's Teeth

Baby teeth hold the right spaces for the permanent teeth that will emerge later on in their lives. It's important to keep your infant's first teeth clean and healthy to prevent decay and to ensure strong teeth for biting and chewing. Follow these steps to care for and brush your infant's teeth.

Things You'll Need

• Gauze
• Baby toothbrush

Instructions

1. Purchase a baby toothbrush that has a tiny bristle head and a large handle you can easily grip. Select a brush with two rows of soft bristles.

2. Brush your own teeth in front of your baby, and act excited while doing it. If your baby enjoys watching you, he is more likely to allow you to brush his teeth.

3. Wrap your fingertip in water-moistened gauze, and begin to slowly run your infant's teeth. This will introduce him to allowing you to brush his teeth before you use the toothbrush.

4. Hold the toothbrush under water to wet it. Toothpaste is not needed to clean an infant's teeth.

5. Sit your infant on your lap with his head facing you. You could also sit or stand behind him and encourage him to look up at you. Once your baby is a bit older, you can cradle him in your arms or kneel in front of him.

6. Move the toothbrush gently over your infant's teeth on both the outside and inside of the teeth twice a day.

7. Run the toothbrush over your infant's tongue once to remove bacteria that can cause bad breath.

8. Replace the toothbrush when the bristles start to look dirty or worn out.

Tips & Warnings

• Once your baby turns 1 purchase a toothbrush for him to practice using alongside you.

• As soon as your infant cuts a new tooth, clean it with a soft gauze pad or baby toothbrush.