How can I brush my toddler's teeth?

Jane Shaw


The easiest way to brush your toddler’s teeth is with them sitting on your lap, with their head cradled in the crook of your elbow.

Choose a small-headed toothbrush with soft, nylon bristles, which is suitable for your child’s age. Gently ease the toothbrush into their mouth and give their little teeth a quick once-over.

Clean them twice a day: once in the morning, before they have breakfast, and after their last drink in the evening. They will probably chew the brush and make a grab for it. Let them investigate, but then gently take it back and brush some more.

Turn brushing into a game if you can, similar to the ones that you play to encourage them to eat. Persuade, rather than force, your toddler to open their mouth. They need to learn to like the idea of brushing. Give them lots of praise and encouragement when they do let you brush their teeth.

It’s not necessary to use toothpaste until your baby or toddler actually has teeth, but it’s a good idea to introduce the idea with a wet toothbrush or by using a damp cloth on your baby’s gums. Once teeth develop, you can introduce a small amount of toothpaste - roughly the size of a grain of rice. After they turn three you can give them a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on the brush. Use a toothpaste that contains 1,000ppm (parts per million) of fluoride for under-threes. Too much toothpaste can lead to mottling on the teeth (fluorosis), so encourage your toddler to spit out the leftover paste. They don't need to rinse their mouth with water after brushing.

Gradually start brushing your toddler’s teeth more thoroughly, so that eventually you are covering all the surfaces of the teeth. As they grow, right up until they are about four years old, you will need to do the brushing for them. But you can gradually give them more responsibility for brushing as time goes on.

If sitting on your lap loses its appeal, try kneeling or sitting on the floor behind your child. Ask them to lie down with their head in your lap so you can see all their teeth and reach their top and bottom teeth more easily. You can cradle their chin in your hand if they will let you.

When they wriggle, you can easily move your arm and the brush out of the way. They can’t run away, but you won’t feel that you are forcing the brush into their mouth.


As they get older, you could let them choose their own children’s toothbrush, and pick out their favourite colour. This may add an extra incentive for them to get brushing.

If you’re still having problems, despite your best efforts, talk to your dentist.
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