Guide
When should you start brushing your baby's teeth?
Brushing starts as soon as the first baby tooth appears. Not because that single tooth is at great risk, but because the routine is still effortless to establish at that point.
The first tooth is the cue
The first baby tooth usually appears around six months, sometimes considerably earlier or later. Both are normal. From that moment, brushing becomes part of the daily routine, morning and evening.
That is also the point for the first dental visit. What happens at it is described on our page first dental visit.
Amount, technique, position
How much toothpaste
Very small amounts are recommended for the youngest children. In Germany the recommendations are based on the child's age and were agreed jointly between dentistry and paediatrics. There is more detail in choosing toothpaste for children.
Which brush
A small head with soft bristles. What matters more than the model is that you can reach the back teeth comfortably with it.
Which position
You see most from behind, with your child's head supported. For babies that works well on the changing table or lying across your lap; for toddlers, standing behind them in front of a mirror.
When your child refuses
Resistance is normal and usually a phase. What tends to help:
- Brush at the same time every day. Predictability lowers resistance.
- Let them try first, then brush again yourself. The order genuinely matters.
- Do not negotiate whether brushing happens — only where and with what.
- Short and complete beats long and abandoned in tears.
If a child flinches repeatedly at the same spot, sensitivity may be behind it. That is worth having looked at rather than reading it as defiance.
Frequently asked questions
Isn't brushing in the evening enough?
Twice a day is recommended. Evening brushing matters most because saliva flow drops overnight, so plaque acts for longer.
Do I need to clean between the teeth already?
Once two teeth touch, the brush no longer reaches between them. A routine appointment is the place to work out whether and how that applies to your child.
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Questions about your child's dental care?
Last updated on 26 August 2026