American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Recommendations
Birth
Even before the first tooth erupts, you can begin early dental care by gently wiping your child’s gums with a wet cloth or gauze after every feeding.
First Tooth
When your child’s first tooth appears, begin gently brushing with water or a "smear" of fluoridated toothpaste, not more than a rice size amount.
Ages 2 to 3
From age 2 to 3, or when your child is able to spit out toothpaste, we recommend using a pea size amount of fluoridated toothpaste during brushing.
Ages 3 and Up
Parents should assist their children with brushing until they can effectively clean their teeth. Monitor your children during brushing to ensure that the fluoridated toothpaste is spat out rather than swallowed and that they rinse with water afterward.
Every child’s development is different, so please share any questions you may have with our experienced team.
When helping your child brush their teeth, teach your child to spend 30 seconds in each quadrant, making sure to brush the front, back, top, and sides of each tooth. The above video can be used to help your child gauge the amount of time they should spend brushing their teeth.