When to Start Brushing Baby Teeth? Tips for First Dental Care

Two hands hold a tube of BABY KAREX Toothpaste up to the camera as a symbol of dental care for babies.

Baby dental care: From the first tooth

Playfully brush your baby’s teeth from the first tooth, at around six months of age. The best way to do this is to lay your baby on the changing table. Later, your child can sit on your lap.

A mother brushes the teeth of her toddler, who is sitting on her lap, with a finger toothbrush, while holding a tube of BABY KAREX Toothpaste in her other hand; as a symbol of the first dental care for babies.

Teething ring toothbrushes for getting started

In the initial phase, toothbrushes shaped like a teething ring are suitable. They can be used to gently massage the gums, which is usually quite pleasant for your baby. This also helps your baby get used to having a toothbrush in their mouth.

A toddler in a light blue t-shirt looks into the camera and brushes their teeth with a children's toothbrush, while holding a tube of BABY KAREX Toothpaste in the other hand; as a symbol of the use of a children's toothbrush for the first dental care for babies.

For the first little teeth, use an age-appropriate children's toothbrush.

For the first little teeth, we recommend exclusively age-appropriate children's toothbrushes with a small head, soft bristles, and a large handle. Finger toothbrushes are not suitable due to their insufficient cleaning effect. Make sure the toothbrush fits comfortably in your hand.

A mother and her toddler look curiously at a running faucet, while the toddler stretches a children's toothbrush with toothpaste toward the faucet; as a symbol of brushing teeth in babies.

Brushing babies' teeth: Made super easy

During the oral phase, babies explore everything with their mouth — including the toothbrush. This makes brushing teeth interesting and easy!

A mother and her toddler stand in front of a sink and look into the camera, while the toddler holds a children's toothbrush with toothpaste and the mother holds a tube of BABY KAREX Toothpaste in her hand; as a symbol of the routine of brushing teeth in babies.

Getting used to a routine early on

Brush twice a day from the very first tooth. Integrate tooth brushing into the evening routine early on so that your child gets used to it quickly.

A mother holds a children's toothbrush with toothpaste in front of the face of her toddler, who is sitting on her lap and looking into the camera; as a symbol of the first dental care for babies.

Use the KAI Tooth Brushing Technique:

First the chewing surfaces with back-and-forth movements, then the outer surfaces in circular motions, and finally the inner surfaces from red to white.

A mother holds a children's toothbrush with toothpaste toward the mouth of her toddler, who is sitting on her lap; the toddler holds the children's toothbrush with one hand and with the other hand holds a tube of BABY KAREX Toothpaste to their mouth, with its opening between their first incisors; as a symbol of the first dental care in babies.

How to help your baby with teething pain

There are various ways you as a parent can help relieve your child's pain a little. Distraction and lots of cuddle time are particularly effective.

First dental care: When you should start brushing your baby's teeth

Baby dental care: From the first tooth

Teething ring toothbrushes for getting started