How to Brush Your Baby's Teeth: An Age-by-Age Guide | Growing Smiles Children's Dentistry

Parents should begin cleaning their baby's mouth before the first tooth even appears. The Canadian Dental Association recommends wiping an infant's gums with a soft, damp cloth after each feeding. Once the first tooth erupts, it is time to start brushing with a toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste.

Before Any Teeth Appear (0-6 Months)

The Canadian Dental Association recommends:

"Even before your baby's teeth come in, you should clean the gums with a soft, damp cloth after each feeding."

— Canadian Dental Association, Cleaning Your Child's Teeth

This removes bacteria and milk residue from the gums, and it gets your baby accustomed to having their mouth cleaned — making the transition to a toothbrush easier later.

First Tooth to Age 3

Once the first tooth appears, switch to a soft-bristled infant toothbrush. The CDA and Ontario Dental Association both recommend:

Use a rice-grain sized smear of fluoridated toothpaste
Brush twice daily — morning and before bed
Use gentle, circular motions on all tooth surfaces
Parents do the brushing entirely at this age

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry confirms that fluoridated toothpaste is safe and recommended from the very first tooth:

"Use a tiny smear of fluoridated toothpaste to brush your child's teeth twice daily as soon as they erupt."

— American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Parent FAQ

Ages 3 to 6

At age three, increase the amount of fluoridated toothpaste to a pea-sized amount. Continue brushing your child's teeth for them or closely supervising while they practice.

Children under six typically lack the fine motor skills needed to brush effectively on their own. The ODA suggests a helpful rule: if your child cannot tie their own shoelaces, they are not ready to brush without help.

Tips for this age:

Let your child hold a toothbrush and "practice" first, then follow up by doing a thorough brushing yourself
Make it fun — sing a song, use a timer, or let them pick their toothbrush colour
Brush for two full minutes, covering all surfaces of every tooth

Ages 6 and Up

Most children can begin brushing independently around age six or seven, with periodic supervision. The Ontario Dental Association recommends:

Continue using fluoridated toothpaste
Brush twice daily for two minutes
Introduce flossing when teeth begin to touch — usually between ages two and six
Parents should still check their child's brushing periodically until around age eight

When to Start Flossing

The CDA recommends flossing as soon as two teeth touch each other. For most children, this happens between ages two and six. Parents should floss for their child until the child can do it independently, usually around age eight to ten.

"Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line — areas a toothbrush can't reach."

— Canadian Dental Association, Cleaning Your Child's Teeth

Choosing the Right Toothbrush

For babies and toddlers, choose a toothbrush with:

A small head designed for an infant's mouth
Soft bristles
A large, easy-to-grip handle

Replace the toothbrush every three months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed.

Questions About Your Child's Oral Hygiene?

At Growing Smiles Children's Dentistry, we spend time at every visit showing parents and children the most effective brushing and flossing techniques for their age. Dr. Gumber and our team are always happy to answer questions about your child's oral hygiene routine.

Call 519-800-4500 to book an appointment at our LaSalle or Windsor location.

Sources: Canadian Dental Association — Cleaning Your Child's Teeth, Ontario Dental Association — Brushing and Flossing, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry — Parent FAQ