Is the handle shape easy for a child to hold? Some are non-slip or easy-to-grip, making them simpler to control for both parent and baby. With manual toothbrushes needing replacing at least every two to three months, electric models trump them not only in their effectiveness, but financially too. It’s widely accepted that powered brushes clean teeth and gums better than their disposable counterparts and, while the initial outlay can be high, they’re likely to be used for years.

Now that you know a soft bristle toothbrush is the way to go for babies, it's time to decide between a teething toothbrush or finger toothbrush. There are a few differences between the two, but many parents and caregivers wonder if one cleans better than the other. To find the best baby toothbrushes and learn more about oral health for babies, we spoke to several pediatric dentists and researched guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). A board-certified family physician on our Review Board also reviewed this article for medical accuracy and integrity surrounding what to look for in baby toothbrushes, as well as when and how often to use them. Once baby's first tooth erupts, you'll want to start brushing twice a day, every day. When that first tooth comes in, decay is a possibility, so cleaning the teeth twice a day ensures healthy dental hygiene. You'll need to brush baby's teeth with a fluoride toothpaste once after breakfast and just before they go to bed. You want their toothbrush to be the last thing to touch their teeth at night. Not only are our brush baby toothpastes sold individually, but they can also be bought in a toothbrush and toothpaste set, which makes for a great christmas or birthday gift. You'll want to use a rice-sized amount of toothpaste on your child's brush until they turn three. Too much toothpaste can lead to fluorosis, a condition that can permanently stain teeth by forming pits and spots on teeth.One of our favorite features of this baby toothbrush is its two-minute timer. The brush’s head lights up and turns off after two minutes, so kids brush the recommended time to get their teeth clean. However, the light was somewhat of a distraction for excited toddlers who preferred playing with the light over brushing their teeth. On the other hand, the toothbrush pulses every 30 seconds to let kids (and parents) know when it’s time to move to another area of the mouth. Overall, we appreciate this kid-friendly feature to make brushing teeth fun. Milk teeth should be brushed from the moment they first appear, with most babies’ first one breaking through at around six months. Developing good oral health habits from an early age gets kids into a dental care routine that should be adhered to daily, with teeth brushed twice a day – last thing at night before bed and at another convenient time. Young children need supervising while brushing and toothbrushes should be discarded at the first sign of damage. What happens if you don’t brush your baby’s teeth?

Toothpaste with fluoride can also prevent cavities, and restrict oral bacteria growth and generally promote childrens oral hygiene. However, our fluoride free toothpaste for babies is safe for little ones under 2 years old that might swallow the product and is gentle enough for the baby’s first tooth. Kids Toothbrushes With Toothpaste Bundles Ideal for introducing brushing to younger babies, this clever cleaner fits snugly onto a parent’s index finger to gently brush and soothe tender gums and teeth. Yes, there’s the chance of a sore digit, but a bit of biting is a small price to pay for your child’s oral health. Made of silicone, a finger toothbrush is more likely to be tolerated by fussy babies than a conventional toothbrush, such as the Colgate Kids Extra Soft Toothbrush. This one from Baby Buddy has ‘bristles’ on one side and massaging bumps on the other, with colour choices of green, pink or blue. Mumsnet has been helping parents make their lives easier since 2000 and, in those years, we’ve seen, tried and reviewed thousands of products. Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. While this doesn't mean you need to add toothpaste and an actual toothbrush before they have teeth, you do want to care for their gums. Take a fingertip toothbrush or washcloth to simply rub their gums before the first tooth erupts. Once a tooth appears, decay can begin forming if the mouth is not properly cleaned. Age suitability: 0 years+ | Power: Not powered | Firmness: Soft | Size: N/A | Material: BPA and PVC Free What we loveToothbrushes with soft bristles are great for cleaning gums. Once a baby starts growing teeth, decay can begin, which is why good dental hygiene is vital once they start teething. It may feel like soft bristles aren't doing much, but for a baby's mouth, it's plenty. It removes any milk and sugar buildup from meals. We used a Brush baby chewable toothbrush once the dc started getting teeth. Brush baby make lots of other useful baby /toddler toothbrushing stuff.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user BikeRunSki) We’ve been using the Aquafresh Milk Teeth one (with the same toothpaste) since teeth appeared.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user OrangeSwoosh) Our verdict Brush Baby’s unique flavours of gentle infant toothpaste come in spearmint, tutti frutti, blueberry, strawberry and apple-mint. Kids LOVE the taste of our toothpaste - making it so much easier when it comes to bedtime!