Babies' teeth aren't as strong as adults' and are more likely to develop tooth decay.

You can start brushing your baby's teeth when they come through. Establishing good oral health habits for your baby is never too early. Your baby's teeth are important; they help them eat, speak, and smile!

Did you know?

NHS dental check-ups and treatment are FREE for children under 18, pregnant mothers, and mothers until their baby's first birthday.

To find a dentist for your baby, use the services search, ask at your local clinic, or email NHS England on england.contactus@nhs.net

Teething

Teething is a natural process all babies experience, but it can also be a time of discomfort. Teething times vary from baby to baby, with some starting as early as four months and others waiting until after twelve months. Most babies will begin teething around six months old

Signs of Teething:

• One red cheek
• Unsettled sleep
  
• Mild fever (around 38°C)
• Increased dribbling

Teething Tips:

• Give your baby a cool teething ring from the fridge. Never freeze teething rings.
• Avoid dipping teething rings in sweet substances like honey.
• Once your baby is six months old, offer healthy chewable snacks like raw fruits or vegetables (always supervise your baby to prevent choking).
• Soothe and play with your baby to distract them from gum pain.
• Gently rub their gums with a clean finger. Wipe your baby's face regularly to prevent rashes caused by dribbling.

For more information on teething, click here.

Brushing your baby's teeth

As soon as your baby's first tooth erupts, it's important to establish a twice-daily brushing routine.

• Brush your baby's teeth twice a day: before bed and at another time.
• Use only a smear of toothpaste specifically formulated for children under three.
• Encourage your child to "spit, don't rinse" with water after brushing.
• Use a toothpaste containing at least 1000ppm fluoride.
• Some flavourless toothpastes are available and don't foam, which can be helpful for young children.

Click here to visit the Start for Life website, for more information and a video on how to brush your babies' teeth.

Dummies and thumb sucking

It is best to try and stop your baby from using a dummy or sucking their thumb before they are one year old. If a child continues to overuse their dummy, it can create a gap between the top and bottom front teeth. These teeth are more at risk of being damaged.

Do:

• Most babies don't need a dummy. If your baby does use one, offer it only when they are upset.
• Sterilize dummies like you would bottles.
• Discourage dummy use by 1-year-old, as continued use can affect speech development.

Don't:

• Dip dummies in sweet things like sugar or honey, which can cause tooth decay.
• Put the dummy in your mouth, as this can spread germs.

Click here to download your copy of 'Top Teeth Tips' created by the oral health improvement team.