Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood in Australia, and it is largely preventable. Around four in ten Australian children have experienced decay in their baby teeth by the time they start school, and much of that starts before a child can hold a toothbrush. The good news for parents in Sydney is that cleaning a baby or toddler's teeth takes about two minutes, twice a day, and the routine is simple once you know the steps.
Key takeaways
- Start wiping the gums before any teeth appear, then brush as soon as the first tooth comes through.
- Use a soft brush and plain water until 18 months unless your dentist advises otherwise.
- From 18 months to 6 years, use a pea-sized smear of low-fluoride children's toothpaste.
- Brush twice a day, with the bedtime brush being the most important.
- Book a first dental check by the time your child turns one, or when the first tooth appears.
The one rule that matters most: clean before bed
If you remember one thing, make it the bedtime clean. Saliva flow drops while we sleep, which removes the mouth's main natural defence against acid. A mouth that goes to bed with milk or food residue on the teeth sits in that acid for hours. The bedtime brush is the single habit that prevents the most decay, so protect it even on the busy nights.
When to start
You can begin caring for the mouth in the first weeks of life. Before any teeth appear, wipe the gums gently with a clean, damp cloth or gauze once a day. This clears milk residue and gets your baby used to having their mouth touched, which makes brushing easier later.
As soon as the first tooth pushes through, usually between six and ten months, switch to a small, soft baby toothbrush. Brush twice a day with water only until your child is 18 months old, unless a dental professional has advised an earlier start to fluoride for a child at higher decay risk.
How much toothpaste, by age
Getting the amount and the fluoride level right matters. Too little fluoride misses the protective benefit, and too much swallowed paste in very young children can affect developing adult teeth. The Australian guidance is clear and easy to follow.
| Age | What to use | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Birth to first tooth | Damp cloth or gauze on the gums | No toothpaste |
| First tooth to 18 months | Soft brush with water | No toothpaste (unless advised) |
| 18 months to 6 years | Low-fluoride children's toothpaste (around 0.4 to 0.55 mg/g fluoride) | Pea-sized smear |
| 6 years and older | Standard family fluoride toothpaste | Pea-sized amount |
Encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste rather than rinse with water afterwards. Leaving a thin film of fluoride on the teeth gives it more time to work. This single change makes a real difference and costs nothing.
How to actually brush a wriggly toddler
The technique is less about being thorough in one go and more about reaching every surface over the week. A few practical positions help.
Position
For a baby, cradle them in your arm so you can see into the mouth. For a toddler, try sitting them on your lap facing away from you, or stand behind them at the mirror and tip the head back gently. Both give you a clear view and steadier control than a face-to-face wrestle.
Movement
Use small circles on every surface, the fronts, the backs, and the chewing tops. Spend a little extra time along the gumline where plaque collects. Two minutes is the target, but for a resistant toddler, a calm shorter clean that actually happens beats a perfect clean that turns into a fight.
Make it routine, not a negotiation
Children settle into habits faster than adults expect. Brush at the same two times each day, let them have a turn first and then you finish properly, and keep your own tone light. Letting a child see a parent or older sibling brush is one of the most effective teaching tools there is.
The drinks and feeding habits that drive decay
How and when a child drinks matters as much as brushing. The main risk is sugary or milky liquid pooling around the teeth for long periods.
- Avoid the bottle in bed. A bottle of milk or juice taken to sleep bathes the front teeth in sugar all night. This pattern causes a recognised form of early decay sometimes called nursing bottle decay.
- Move to a cup from around 12 months. Sipping from a cup limits contact time compared with a bottle or sippy cup carried around all day.
- Water and plain milk are the everyday drinks. Keep juice, cordial, and soft drink as occasional items, and offer them with meals rather than between them.
- Watch hidden sugars. Many toddler snacks, fruit pouches, and flavoured yoghurts are surprisingly sweet and sticky.
When to book the first dental visit
Aim for a first dental check by your child's first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing. Early visits are short and gentle, and they let the dental team spot risk factors before any problem starts. They also help your child see the dental chair as a familiar, calm place rather than somewhere you only go when something hurts. For more on what that first appointment looks like, see our guide on a child's first dental visit.
In New South Wales, eligible children can access free dental care through the public system, and many families qualify for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, which covers a range of services for eligible children up to age 17. Your dentist can tell you whether your child is eligible.
Common questions from Sydney parents
Do baby teeth really matter if they fall out anyway?
Yes. Baby teeth hold space for adult teeth, help with speech and eating, and decay in them can be painful and can affect the adult teeth forming underneath. Looking after them is not wasted effort.
My toddler hates having their teeth brushed. What can I do?
Make it predictable and brief, let them hold their own brush first, use a song or a two-minute timer, and brush your own teeth alongside them. If brushing is consistently distressing, mention it at your next dental visit so the team can check nothing is sore.
Is fluoride toothpaste safe for my child?
Used in the recommended pea-sized amount for the age, fluoride toothpaste is safe and is one of the most effective ways to prevent decay. The key is the right amount and encouraging your child to spit rather than swallow. You can read more in our explainer on whether fluoride is safe.
When do the first teeth usually appear?
Most babies get their first tooth between six and ten months, though anywhere from three to twelve months can be normal. For what to expect during this stage, see our guide on teething in babies.
Should my child use mouthwash?
Most young children do not need mouthwash, and many are not old enough to spit reliably. Brushing with the right toothpaste and cleaning between teeth as they close up is enough for the great majority of children.
The takeaway
Cleaning a baby or toddler's teeth comes down to a few steady habits: wipe the gums early, brush twice a day with the right amount of toothpaste, protect the bedtime clean, keep sugary drinks to mealtimes, and start dental visits early. Build the routine now and it becomes second nature for your child for life.
If you would like a gentle first dental check for your child, the team at Lumi Dental in Melrose Park is happy to help. You can get in touch or see our general dental services, and current offers are listed on our deals page.
