Think about it. Your baby may not be eating solids yet, or even have a set of teeth. But it is essential to start practicing oral hygiene early. You see, it nurtures good oral habits in your little ones. Moreover, babies need their mouths clean because formula milk and breast milk contain sugars that can wear out the enamel in their teeth. But how do you choose the best baby toothbrush for your little one with the numerous brands in the market today? Thus, this article will give you some top picks while helping you answer all the questions you have regarding your baby’s oral health.
1. How Important Is It To Clean The Mouth?
- Good physiological basis
Usually, the best way to keep your baby’s gums and teeth healthy is by cleaning the mouth from an early age. Obviously, it helps your little one grow healthy pearly white teeth.
- Help chewing, better digestion, and absorption.
Teeth make eating and chewing easier. So, to avoid tooth decay, it’s necessary to maintain dental health.
- Prerequisite guarantee for learning pronunciation
Teeth help children develop their speech by working in tandem with the mouth and lips. Also, teeth control the flow of air out of the mouth as your little one speaks.
- It will affect future facial development and permanent tooth development.
Teeth play a crucial role in your facial appearance- they maintain the length of your face. Thus, they also affect the development of the jawline.
2. When Should You Start Brushing Your Baby’s Teeth?
- After birth
Pediatric dentists recommend that you start cleaning your baby’s mouth from as early as three months. Although you won’t be using a toothbrush this early, you can use gauze, a soft damp cloth, or wipes, to clean the gums to keep bacterial growth at bay.
- After the first tooth erupts
Once the first tooth erupts, usually at six months, you can transition your baby to a toothbrush. Thus, it is an exciting stage, so you can use a finger brush to gently clean the first teeth, wipe the gums and front of the tongue.
- 2-3 years old
Babies at this age already have an understanding of brushing their teeth. At this age, they can hold their toothbrushes but need adult supervision.
3. How To Choose The Best Baby Toothbrush？
When you are choosing your tiny tot’s toothbrush, here are some factors to have in mind:
Applicable age
When buying a baby toothbrush, you must choose one that will suit your baby. Remember, just as babies grow, their dental needs evolve. A newborn, for example, may not use a typical toothbrush but a gauze or clean cloth. However, once their first teeth erupt, they can move to finger brushes or silicone toothbrushes.
Bristle softness
Remember to select toothbrushes with soft bristles carefully. That way, you don’t irritate your little one’s gums when they brush. When Additionally, since babies tend to chew their brushes, the bristles need to be firm.
Brush material
As you may know, the best baby toothbrush should be BPA and phthalate-free.
Brush handle material
Notably, ensure the handle of your baby’s toothbrush is large for your little one to have a firm grip. Additionally, find a toothbrush that can double up as a teether for your baby to help soothe his gums.
Brush head size
Remember, the best baby toothbrush should have a small head that can comfortably fit in your baby’s mouth.
Electric toothbrush
According to the American Dental Association(ADA), both electric and manual baby toothbrushes work effectively to fight plaque and gum disease. Further, the jury’s still out on whether they are safe for children under three years. However, if you are looking for an electric baby toothbrush, look for one with the ADA seal of approval. Ideally, this guarantees you a product that meets the proper standards as a baby toothbrush. Likewise, it should have soft, firm, and rounded bristles and an appropriate head and handle for the baby. In essence, look for an electric brush that plays music or can light up to add fun to this daily routine.
4. The Best Baby Toothbrush
By and large, your baby’s oral needs will change as they grow. Hence, these recommended toothbrushes listed below will help you make an informed decision according to your munchkin’s developmental stage.
Before teeth
For babies with no teeth yet, dentists recommend that you clean their teeth with gauze or wipes. So, here are some of our top picks:
Ewinever Infant Soft Gauze
- 100% food-grade, toxic-free, BPA-free material.
- It has a ring that can help keep it in place when cleaning your baby’s teeth.
- The design conforms to your finger to fit snugly.
- Easy to clean.
- They come as a set of six.
Zmmyr Soft Gauze
- They come as a set of 120 pieces.
- Made from a soft, white material that is resistant to saliva and sweat,
- Suitable for all finger sizes
Spiffies Tooth Wipes
- They are perfect when you are on the go and need to clean your infant’s mouth after feeding.
- Easy to use
- It comes in fun flavors such as green apple and grape.
1-2 teeth
At this age, you can clean your baby’s teeth using a finger brush. In fact, it’s the perfect type of toothbrush to clean every part of your baby’s mouth. Listed below are our top picks.
Mushie’s Baby Finger Toothbrush
- Made from food-grade silicone
- Soft bristles
- Come in different colors
- They fit all finger sizes
- Easy to use
- You can hand wash it in warm water
Baby Banana Infant Toothbrush
- It comes in a fun design. It looks like a half-peeled banana
- The banana peel sides prevent the baby from choking. This way, the baby cannot push it far down their throat.
- Made from 100% food-grade silicone
- It comes as a set, including one teether and two-finger brushes.
- It comes in a variety of colors, such as blue and pink. In fact, it can also come designed as corn on the cob.
- Dishwasher safe
- It is a great teether for sensitive gums.
The Brushies Baby & Toddler Toothbrush
- It comes in a fun puppet-like set of 4 finger brushes.
- It comes with a coordination book to bring the character to life through adventure. Consequently, they give your baby tips on how to brush their teeth.
- It comes in fun colors.
- They have soft bristles.
- They are dishwasher safe.
- Perfect for babies from 1 month to 4 years
8-11 teeth
Colgate- My First Baby and Toddler Toothbrush
- first comes as a set of one toothbrush and one fruit-flavored toothpaste
- second, it has a small head perfect for your little one’s mouth
- third， it has extra soft bristles
- Non-slip comfort grip handle
Nuby 4 Stage Oral Care Set
- It has a 4 stage system designed to take care of your little one’s teeth from infancy to toddler stage. The system includes:
- A silicone finger massage for babies over three months
- Stage 2: A massage brush to gently brush and massage gums. It is ideal for babies over 11 months.
- Stage 3: A nylon toothbrush with super soft bristles designed for babies with teeth.
- It comes packaged with a comfortable stand to hold all the pieces
- It is good value for your money as it grows with your baby
Dr. Brown’s Infant-To-Toddler Toothbrush
- It has an easy-grip handle.
- Made of durable and soft material that is gentle to your little one’s mouth
- Has super-soft bristles
- Is BPA-free
- It can stand on its own to air dry
- It comes in a cool and fun design – shaped like a giraffe.
5. How Often Do You Replace Your Baby’s Toothbrush？
Usually, dentists recommend that you should change your baby’s toothbrush every three months. Typically, this ensures that you maintain the best oral care for the little one’s pearly whites.
Summary
It is never too early to start taking care of your baby’s teeth. Actually, you can start practicing oral hygiene from as early as three months. This way, your baby will grow up with a healthy set of strong teeth. So, start early by providing your baby with the best baby toothbrush like the Nuby 4-Stage Oral Care Set. This toothbrush set will grow with your baby right from infancy to the toddler phase, thanks to the different stages of brushes in the package.