Short answer: Dental care for babies starts before the first tooth appears, by wiping the gums with a clean, damp gauze pad. Once the first tooth appears, brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled baby toothbrush and a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste is recommended. Avoiding putting the baby to sleep with a bottle reduces the risk of cavities. The first dental check-up should take place when the first tooth erupts or at the latest around the first birthday.
A baby's oral health starts much earlier than most parents think. Cleaning the gums before baby teeth even appear, choosing the right brush and toothpaste with the first tooth, and bottle and pacifier habits directly affect the health of both the baby teeth and, later, the permanent teeth. Dental care for babies actually comes down to practicing a few simple habits regularly. In this guide, we explain step by step what you should pay attention to at each stage from birth to age two.
How do you care for a baby's mouth before teeth appear?
Before teeth appear, baby oral care consists of gently wiping the gums once or twice a day with a clean gauze pad or soft muslin cloth moistened with warm water. This is easiest after feeding and especially before night-time sleep.
This early habit has several benefits:
- Milk residue that builds up on the gums and tongue is cleaned away.
- The baby gets used to having their mouth touched, which makes toothbrushing easier later on.
- The parent notices changes in the mouth early, such as the first tooth appearing or white patches on the tongue.
White patches on the tongue and inner cheeks that do not come off when wiped may be a sign of oral thrush; in this case, you should see your pediatrician.
First teeth: how to choose a toothbrush and toothpaste?
From the moment the first baby tooth appears, the teeth should be brushed twice a day with a soft-bristled, small-headed baby toothbrush and a rice-grain-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. The first baby teeth usually erupt around 6 months, most often in the lower front area; however, this timing can vary by a few months from baby to baby.
Choosing a toothbrush
- Choose a brush with soft bristles and a head small enough to fit comfortably in the baby's mouth.
- Silicone finger brushes can help in the first months; however, as more teeth come in, switching to a real baby toothbrush provides more effective cleaning.
- A brush with splayed bristles should be replaced; this is usually needed every 2-3 months.
Choosing toothpaste and how much to use
International pediatric dentistry guidelines recommend using fluoride toothpaste from the first tooth, because fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and protects against cavities. What matters is the amount: for children under three, a thin smear the size of a grain of rice is enough. This amount is considered safe even if swallowed. There is no need to rinse the mouth with water after brushing; excess toothpaste can be wiped away with a cloth.
Brushing technique
Laying the baby on your lap with their head resting against your chest makes it easier to see into the mouth. The front, back and chewing surfaces of the teeth are brushed with small circular movements. The gums are also touched gently. Brushing time can be gradually extended to reach about two minutes by around age two. It is recommended not to give anything other than water after the evening brushing.
What causes tooth staining in babies?
Tooth staining in babies can have different causes, from surface discoloration to early signs of cavities, and the type of color often gives a clue about the cause. For this reason, any color change in baby teeth should be shown to a dentist.
- Chalky white spots: Dull white lines seen especially on the part of the upper front teeth close to the gums can be the first sign of early decay. When noticed at this stage, progression can often be stopped with fluoride application and by adjusting care habits.
- Brown or yellow spots: These may be advanced decay or surface discoloration caused by foods.
- Black dots and lines: Discoloration seen as a thin black line near the gums is usually surface staining caused by certain oral bacteria and is not decay; it can be cleaned by a dentist. The use of some iron syrups can also cause similar discoloration.
- Color difference across the whole tooth: A single tooth turning gray after trauma from a fall, or certain conditions related to the period after birth, can cause color changes in the inner structure of the tooth.
Rather than trying to force the stain off with a brush at home, the right course is to go for an examination to determine its cause. Decisions such as stopping or changing iron supplements should only be made together with your pediatrician.
How do bottle and pacifier habits affect the teeth?
Putting a baby to sleep with a bottle and frequent night-time feeding can lead to a common and rapidly progressing pattern of decay in baby teeth known as "baby bottle tooth decay." Saliva flow decreases during sleep; the sugars in milk, formula or fruit juice remain on the teeth for a long time.
Things to keep in mind:
- Do not put your baby to sleep with a bottle containing milk, formula or fruit juice. Wipe or brush the teeth after the pre-sleep feeding.
- Do not put fruit juice, sweetened tea or sugary drinks in the bottle. Choose water for thirst.
- Start encouraging the switch to drinking from a cup around the first birthday.
- Do not dip the pacifier in honey, sugar or syrup.
- Do not clean the pacifier with your own mouth and do not share the baby's spoon; cavity-causing bacteria can pass to the baby through saliva.
- To keep pacifier and thumb-sucking habits from affecting jaw and tooth development, giving them up around age two to three is generally recommended.
Breast milk is a valuable food for the baby. If night-time breastfeeding continues, taking extra care with oral cleaning and regular check-ups after teeth erupt helps reduce the risks.
What should you pay attention to during teething?
During teething, increased drooling, fussiness, putting things in the mouth and swollen gums are common. A clean, chilled (not frozen) teether or a gentle gum massage with a finger can bring relief. High fever, diarrhea or marked lethargy, however, should not be attributed to teething; in these cases, you should see your pediatrician. The decision on using gum gels and medications also belongs to the doctor.
When should the first dental check-up take place?
The first dental check-up should take place when the first baby tooth erupts or at the latest around the first birthday. This recommendation is the shared view of international pediatric dentistry associations. The first visit is usually short and comfortable: the dentist looks at the condition of the teeth and gums, assesses the risk of cavities and guides the family on brushing, nutrition and fluoride.
The most important benefit of an early check-up is that precautions can be taken before problems start, and that the child gets used to the dental setting at a young age without fear. Subsequent check-ups are usually scheduled every 6 months; they may be more frequent for children at high risk of cavities. For other topics you are curious about, you can take a look at our frequently asked questions page.
When should you book your baby's first check-up in Ankara?
If your baby's first tooth has erupted or they are approaching their first birthday, if you have noticed white or brown spots on their teeth, or if a tooth has changed color after a fall, it is a good time for a check-up. At our polyclinic in Park Oran Ofis in Çankaya, we examine our young patients in a calm setting, with the family present, and plan your home care routine together. You can use our contact page to make an appointment.
Frequently asked questions
When should babies start using toothpaste?
Fluoride toothpaste can be used from the moment the first baby tooth erupts. For children under three, a thin smear the size of a grain of rice is enough.
Are black spots on a baby's teeth cavities?
Thin black lines near the gums are often surface discoloration caused by bacteria or certain iron syrups and are not cavities. Still, they should be shown to a dentist so they can be distinguished from decay.
Does night-time breastfeeding cause cavities?
After teeth erupt, frequent night-time feeding can increase the risk of cavities when oral cleaning is not done. Wiping or brushing the teeth after feeding and regular dental check-ups reduce this risk.
At what age should a baby have their first dental check-up?
The first check-up is recommended when the first tooth erupts or at the latest around the first birthday. After that, check-ups are usually done every 6 months.
