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Oral Health for Young Children

Learn how to take care of the oral health of babies and young children (up to age 6).

What is oral health?

“Oral health” is the health of the teeth, gums, and other parts of the mouth.

Why is it important to take care of my child's oral health?

Your baby’s oral health is an important part of their overall health. And having good oral health early in life sets your child up for good oral health at later stages of life—they will be able to chew better, eat healthy foods, and avoid pain and tooth loss.1 Poor oral health during school age years may also lead to missing more school days and worse academic performance.2

How should I brush my childʼs teeth?

Brushing is one of the main ways that you can keep your childʼs teeth healthy. And having healthy primary teeth (“baby teeth”) helps your child chew food and speak clearly.

Brushing your baby's teeth

An artistic depiction of a toothbrush with toothpaste on it.
For babies and children under 3, use a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice and brush all sides of their teeth.

  • Start to brush your childʼs teeth as soon as their first tooth begins to show. This usually happens at around age six months to 10 months.
  • Brush after their first and last meal of the day.
  • Use a baby toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head. Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice and brush all sides of your childʼs teeth.
    • Be sure that the toothpaste contains fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay (cavities).
    • Using fluoride toothpaste is important no matter where you live; it may be especially important in rural areas, where community water often does not contain fluoride.3

Teaching your child (age 3 to 6) to brush their teeth

An artistic depiction of a toothbrush with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on it.
For children ages 3 to 6, put a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush.

1. Healthfinder.gov (September 2022). Take Care of Your Child’s Teeth.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (April 2022). Children’s Oral Health.

3. National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) (December 2021). Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges (PDF - 34 MB).

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