Most parents don't think about dental care until the first tooth appears — but good oral health actually starts from day one. The habits and tools you introduce in the first two years lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy teeth. Here's your complete month-by-month guide.
Before the First Tooth: 0–6 Months
Your baby has no teeth yet, but their gums still need care. Milk and formula leave residue on gum tissue that can harbour bacteria, and establishing a routine early makes the transition to brushing feel natural.
- After each feed, wipe your baby's gums with a clean, damp muslin cloth or gauze pad
- Or use a silicone finger toothbrush — it fits over your fingertip and gently massages the gums
- No toothpaste needed at this stage
- Never put your baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice
First Tooth Arrives: 6–10 Months
The lower front teeth usually appear between 6 and 10 months. Begin brushing as soon as the first tooth erupts, twice a day. Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste (1,000ppm) — the size of a grain of rice. Offer a chilled teething toy to soothe gums between feeds.
Growing Smile: 10–14 Months
Upper front teeth emerge during this period. Transition to a dedicated baby toothbrush with a small head and extra-soft bristles. Book your baby's first dental appointment — NHS recommends a visit as soon as the first tooth appears, or by age 1 at the latest.
Back Teeth Arrive: 14–19 Months
First molars appear between 13–19 months. Pay extra attention to these when brushing — they have deeper grooves that trap food. Increase toothpaste to a pea-sized amount. Let your toddler hold the brush, but always finish with a parent-led brush.
Canines and Second Molars: 16–24 Months
By age 2, most children have 16–20 baby teeth. Brush all surfaces twice daily, introduce no-rinsing after brushing, and keep dental appointments every 6 months. Model good habits — brush alongside your child.
The Essential Rules: 0–2 Years at a Glance
- ✔ Start early — gum wiping from birth, brushing from the first tooth
- ✔ Use fluoride toothpaste from the first tooth (rice grain → pea-sized at 2+)
- ✔ Brush twice a day — bedtime is the most critical
- ✔ Don't rinse after brushing — just spit
- ✔ First dental visit by age 1 or at first tooth
- ✖ Never put a baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice
- ✖ Avoid sharing spoons — this transfers cavity-causing bacteria from adult to child
- ✖ Limit sugar and sweet drinks, especially between meals
Sanitral Baby Oral Care Range
Our Baby Toothbrush Collection is designed specifically for the 0–2 year stage. The Silicone Finger Toothbrush is ideal for pre-tooth gum care and early teething, while the Banana Teether combines soothing relief with a first positive introduction to oral hygiene habits.