As soon as that very first tooth pops through! 🦷 Use a soft baby toothbrush or silicone finger brush with a tiny smear of toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice). Even before teeth appear, you can gently wipe baby’s gums with a clean, damp cloth to get them used to the routine. Focus on the fold of the mouth, where the cheeks meet the gums, as formula and breast milk often gets stuck here! For more information, check out my blog titled “when should I start cleaning my infant’s mouth?”

Most kids aren’t ready to brush solo until around age 8–9, and only after a parent or dental professional confirms they’re doing it properly. Until then, let them try first for practice — then you go in for the “grown-up polish!” ✨ in some cases, kids may be ready slightly sooner.

To answer this question, I must first inform you that

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends the first visit by age 1 or within 6 months of the first tooth erupting. Although it’s a great chance to get personalized tips and help your child feel comfy at the dentist early on, I personally feel the sweet spot for a child’s first dental visit is between ages 2 and 3. However, please understand that there are exceptions to this suggestion of mine. To understand more about this, please read my blog titled “Your Child’s First Dental Visit” as I explain more about reasons to seek a dental visit closer to the recommended age mentioned above.

The first visit is all about comfort and education — no scary tools or surprises! 🪥 Your dentist will do a gentle exam, check for early signs of cavities, discuss diet and brushing routines, and answer all your questions. Think of it as a friendly “tooth tour!”

For more details on this topic, please read my blog titled “Your Child’s First Dental Visit”.