Baby Oral Care

Start cleaning gums even before the first tooth appears — use a soft silicone finger brush or a clean, damp cloth after every feed. Once the first tooth erupts (typically around 6 months), switch to a soft baby toothbrush with a tiny amount of fluoride-free toothpaste.

For babies under 3 years, use fluoride-free or low-fluoride (1000ppm) toothpaste in a rice-grain amount — they swallow most of what goes in their mouth. After 3 years, a pea-sized amount of standard fluoride toothpaste is appropriate. Always consult your paediatrician or dentist.

Brush twice a day — once after breakfast and once before bed. The bedtime brush is the most important one. Milk or juice left on teeth overnight is a leading cause of early childhood cavities, so always brush before sleep.

A finger brush slips over your fingertip, giving you direct control to clean gums and early teeth. It's ideal for newborns and very young babies. As babies grow older and get more teeth, a proper baby toothbrush reaches better. Most parents start with a finger brush and transition to a toothbrush around 6-12 months.