A baby dressed in white brushes its teeth

“Help! My Baby Won’t Let Me Brush Their Teeth”

Your baby’s first tooth is an exciting milestone. This means it is time to start brushing that tooth (or teeth). While some babies may let you do this, it is very common for your baby to refuse you trying to brush their teeth.

You are not alone if you are struggling with this, most if not all parents go through this.

Let’s look at some tips on how we can keep those little teeth clean!

Have The Right Tools For The Job

Your baby’s first tooth may have appeared when they were about 6 months old, although there is a wide range for when this can happen. At this stage they will need you to clean their teeth for them.

For now it is best to use a little toothbrush that is designed for young babies. These are easier to use than a traditional toothbrush with a handle and bristles. These bristles can easily be chewed off! Some first baby toothbrushes look like little silicone finger puppets, which are easy to use and can help sooth sore gums too during teething.

Another option, if you baby only has a few teeth, is a clean cloth or piece of gauze wrapped around your finger for a little tooth cleaning. It is best to use age appropriate tooth paste (adult toothpaste has too much fluoride in it) but you can buy baby toothpaste at the super market. Look out for tubes that say under 12 months, that is a good place to start.

You can get different flavours of baby toothpaste, such as fruit as well as gentle mint. Maybe get a few flavours to see which your baby enjoys best.

“We tried lots of different toothpaste flavours, and my daughter was particularly into an apple flavour when we first started brushing!”

Helen, Team Happity
A baby's toothbrush next to a case for the brush

Keep Calm And Give It A Go

Make sure both you and your baby are calm and happy when you brush their teeth. If your baby picks up on any stress, that may unsettle them so they are less likely to sit to have their teeth cleaned.

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For now, do not worry too much about a thorough clean or full coverage of every tooth. It is just about getting your baby used to having a toothbrush in their mouth and letting you help. Once they are used to it and know what to expect, it is a lot easier.

Have Some Fun

Make it into a game, or choose a toothbrush that looks like something your baby loves. Some first toothbrushes are shaped liked animals or other items (the banana toothbrush is a popular one) which may intrigue your baby into allowing the brush into their mouth. Also combine it with a story about how fun toothbrushing is (there are many fun picture books on this subject, such as “How to Brush Your Teeth with Snappy Croc” by Jane Clarke). Or sing a nice song and make brushing part of that.

We often sing “this is the way we brush our teeth”, with the tune of “here we go round the mulberry bush”

Helen, Team Happity

These two songs, Brush Your Teeth by Super Simple Songs and another from KidsSongs have been very helpful with our kids!

Lisa, Team Happity

If you show your baby toothbrushing is a fun activity, they may show more intertest.

A baby having their teeth brushed

Persevere But Don’t Stress

Even if your baby outright refuses, don’t worry and try again another time. As you are just trying to establish a routine and get your baby used to this gradually, it does not matter if a few toothbrushing sessions are missed in the early days.
You can show your baby how you brush your teeth too. As they get old enough to hold the toothbrush themselves they can copy you.

We had a toothbrushing app that sang a song for 2 minutes and they earned different outfits etc for consistent brushing. Mostly though I think it was just having them see us doing it every day as routine – I used to just give them a brush to hold whilst I was brushing my teeth and they would naturally start trying to copy. (Then you can brush their teeth properly after they’ve had a go)

Sara, Team Happity

See What Works For You

Whatever way of toothbrushing works for you baby, we hope these tips helped you. This will hopefully set up a good habit as they get older, but for now we can take it one day and one toothbrush song at a time!

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A baby's toothbrush

Want To Get Out And About, Have Fun With Your Baby Or Toddler, And Meet Other Parents?

Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!

Find a class today!

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Interested in being a guest blogger?

Helen Holding

Helen Holding

Happity's Growth Marketing Assistant. Helen works hard to get more classes around the UK onto Happity, connecting more parents with activity providers every week. Mum of one beautiful daughter, Lyra. When she's not working she is usually enjoying toddler classes with Lyra. Their current favourites are toddler gymnastics and Forest School!

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