Start brushing your baby's teeth as soon as the first tooth appears, usually around six months of age. In Australia, the guidance is to clean the teeth with a soft brush and water only until 18 months, then move to a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride children's toothpaste. Getting this right early protects the new teeth and builds a habit that lasts.
Key takeaways
- Begin cleaning teeth when the first one comes through, around six months. Before that, you can wipe the gums with a clean, damp cloth.
- Australian guidance: use water only (no toothpaste) until 18 months of age.
- From 18 months to 6 years, use a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride toothpaste (around 500 to 550 ppm).
- From 6 years, switch to a standard fluoride toothpaste (1000 ppm or more), still a pea-sized amount. Encourage spitting out, not swallowing or rinsing.
Before the first tooth
Even before teeth appear, you can gently wipe your baby's gums with a clean, damp cloth or gauze after feeds. This clears milk residue and gets your baby used to having their mouth cleaned, which makes brushing easier once teeth arrive.
Age-by-age guide
Australian recommendations for fluoride differ from some overseas advice, so it is worth following the local guidance below.
| Age | What to use | How much |
|---|---|---|
| Birth to first tooth | Damp cloth on the gums | Wipe after feeds |
| First tooth to 18 months | Soft small toothbrush and water only | No toothpaste |
| 18 months to 6 years | Low-fluoride children's toothpaste (about 500 to 550 ppm) | Pea-sized amount |
| 6 years and older | Standard fluoride toothpaste (1000 ppm or more) | Pea-sized amount |
A dentist may advise starting fluoride toothpaste earlier for a child at higher risk of decay, so follow any specific advice you are given. Our guide on how much fluoride toothpaste children need goes into more detail.
How to brush little teeth
- Twice a day. Brush in the morning and, most importantly, last thing before bed.
- Use a small, soft brush. A baby or toddler toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles is gentlest.
- You do the brushing. Young children cannot brush effectively themselves. Do it for them, and keep helping until they have the coordination, usually around seven or eight.
- Spit, do not rinse. From 18 months, encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste and not rinse with water, so a little fluoride stays on the teeth.
- Position matters. Sitting your child on your lap or standing behind them, tilting the head back gently, gives you a clear view of all the teeth.
Protecting baby teeth beyond brushing
Baby teeth matter. They help a child eat and speak and hold space for the adult teeth. A few habits protect them alongside brushing.
- Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice, which pools around the teeth overnight and causes decay.
- Offer water rather than sweet drinks between meals.
- Try not to share spoons or clean a dummy in your own mouth, since decay-causing bacteria can pass from adult to child.
The first dental visit
Australian guidance is for a child's first dental visit by around their first birthday. Early visits are short, gentle, and mostly about familiarity, and they let a dentist spot any early problems and give tailored advice for your child. Our guide on the child's first dental visit explains what to expect, and if your little one is nervous, helping a child who is scared of the dentist has practical tips.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start brushing my baby's teeth?
As soon as the first tooth appears, usually around six months. Before that, wipe the gums with a clean damp cloth.
When can my baby start using toothpaste?
In Australia, use water only until 18 months, then a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride children's toothpaste, unless your dentist advises otherwise.
Should my toddler rinse after brushing?
No. Encourage spitting out the toothpaste without rinsing, so a small amount of fluoride stays on the teeth to keep protecting them.
Is fluoride toothpaste safe for babies?
Used as recommended, yes. The pea-sized amount of low-fluoride toothpaste from 18 months is safe even if some is swallowed, because the quantity is very small.
Do baby teeth really need brushing if they fall out anyway?
Yes. Baby teeth can decay and cause pain and infection, and they hold space for the adult teeth. Healthy baby teeth support healthy adult teeth.
Booking with the team at Lumi Dental
If your little one is due for their first visit, or you want advice on caring for baby teeth, the team at Lumi Dental is happy to help. See current new patient and family offers on our offers page.
