You should start brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears. Use a soft, infant-sized toothbrush and a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste, and brush twice a day. You do not need to wait until several teeth have erupted.
Before the first tooth appears, gently clean your baby’s gums with a damp gauze pad or soft washcloth. Once teeth start touching, add flossing. Parents should continue helping with brushing for several years because young children cannot clean every tooth properly on their own.
Baby Tooth Eruption Timeline
Every baby develops at a slightly different pace, but there is a general pattern.
| Age | Typical milestone |
| 6–12 months | First tooth usually appears |
| Around 1 year | Several baby teeth are usually present |
| Around 2 years | Most primary teeth have erupted |
| By around 3 years | All 20 primary teeth are usually in place |
When Does the First Tooth Usually Come In?
Most babies get their first tooth between 6 and 12 months.
The lower central incisors, or bottom front teeth, usually appear first. Other front teeth follow before the back teeth gradually erupt.
How Many Teeth by Age 1, 2, and 3?
By around age 1, many children have several teeth.
By around age 2, most of the 20 primary teeth are present, with the full set of 10 upper and 10 lower baby teeth usually complete by around age 3.
The exact timing varies, so a slightly different eruption pattern does not necessarily mean something is wrong.
Before the First Tooth: Caring for Your Baby’s Gums
How to Wipe Baby’s Gums
Before teeth appear, gently wipe your baby’s gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or soft washcloth.
Use gentle circular movements across:
- The upper gums.
- The lower gums.
- The front and back areas of the gumline.
Cleaning after feeds can help remove milk residue and get your baby used to having their mouth cleaned.
Why Does Gum Care Matter?
Even before teeth erupt, cleaning the gums helps establish an oral hygiene routine.
It also makes the transition to brushing easier once the first tooth arrives.
Once the First Tooth Erupts: How to Start Brushing
This is when regular brushing begins.
Choosing a Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Choose a soft-bristled, infant-sized toothbrush with a small head.
Use fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first tooth appears.
How Much Toothpaste Should You Use?
For babies and children under age 3, use no more than a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste.
You do not need a large amount to get the protective benefit of fluoride.
Proper Brushing Technique
Hold the toothbrush so the bristles reach the gumline.
Use gentle circular or small wiggling movements rather than vigorous back-and-forth scrubbing.
Clean:
- The front of each tooth.
- The back of each tooth.
- The chewing surfaces.
- Along the gumline.
Brush twice a day, with the bedtime brushing being especially important.
How to Hold and Position Your Baby While Brushing
Getting the right position can make brushing much easier.
The Knee-to-Knee Technique
For a very young or squirmy baby, two adults can sit facing each other with their knees touching.
Your baby lies across both laps, with their head resting securely in one adult’s lap. This gives you a clear view of the mouth while keeping your baby supported.
The same position is often used during a baby’s first dental examination.
Brushing With One Parent
You can also brush alone.
Sit your baby on your lap and gently position their head against your chest or in the crook of your arm. Tilting the head back slightly can give you a better view of the teeth.
For some babies, lying on a changing mat or other safe, stable surface may also make brushing easier.
When Should You Start Flossing?
Start flossing as soon as two teeth touch each other.
A toothbrush cannot properly clean the contact area between adjacent teeth.
You can use:
- Dental floss.
- Floss picks designed for children.
You only need to floss the areas where teeth actually touch.
When Should Your Child Start Brushing on Their Own?
Children can start learning to brush themselves during the preschool years, but they still need help.
Between ages 3 and 6, let your child practice while you finish the brushing afterward.
Most children do not have the fine motor skills needed to clean every surface properly until around 7 to 8 years old.
Continue supervising brushing and make sure they are using the correct amount of toothpaste.
When Should Your Baby See a Dentist for the First Time?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends a child’s first dental visit:
- By their first birthday, or
- Within six months of the first tooth erupting,
whichever comes first.
A pediatric dentist can check the developing teeth, discuss feeding and brushing habits, assess cavity risk, and answer questions about your baby’s oral health.
For babies and toddlers, the examination may also use a knee-to-knee or lap position, allowing the parent to remain involved.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A few simple mistakes can make cavity prevention harder.
Waiting Until There Are Several Teeth
You only need one tooth to start brushing.
Using Too Much Toothpaste
More toothpaste does not mean more protection. Use the age-appropriate amount.
Brushing Too Hard
Baby teeth and gums need gentle brushing, not aggressive scrubbing.
Letting Your Child Brush Completely Alone Too Early
Young children often cannot reach every surface effectively. Let them practice, but continue helping them.
Giving a Bedtime Bottle With Anything Other Than Water
Frequent exposure to milk, formula, or juice during sleep can increase the risk of baby bottle tooth decay.
Finding a Pediatric Dentist in Dubai
A pediatric dentist in Dubai can help you establish good oral care from your baby’s first tooth onward.
Look for a clinic that:
- Routinely treats infants and young children.
- Provides age-appropriate preventive guidance.
- Uses a child-friendly approach.
- Can monitor tooth eruption and development.
- Offers regular pediatric dental checkups.
Early professional guidance can make daily oral care much easier for parents. Dr. Enas Alkhadra sees infants at her Jumeirah 3 and Jumeirah Park clinics. Contact us to book a visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do you start brushing babies’ teeth?
Start brushing as soon as the first tooth erupts, usually around 6 to 12 months of age.
Should I clean my baby’s gums before teeth come in?
Yes. Gently wiping the gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or soft washcloth can help establish an oral hygiene routine.
What toothpaste should I use for my baby?
Use an age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first tooth appears. For children under 3, use only a rice-grain-sized smear.
How often should I brush my baby’s teeth?
Brush twice a day, including before bed.
When should I start flossing my baby’s teeth?
Begin flossing when two teeth touch each other.
Can my baby use an ordinary toothbrush?
A small toothbrush designed for infants is generally easier to use because it has a smaller head and softer bristles.
How can I brush a baby who keeps moving?
Try brushing while your baby is lying back in your lap. The knee-to-knee position can also provide better support and visibility when two adults are available.
When can my child brush without help?
Children can start practicing during the preschool years, but most still need parental help or close supervision until around age 7 to 8.
When should my baby have their first dental visit?
The AAPD recommends the first visit by age 1 or within six months of the first tooth appearing, whichever comes first.