Best Baby Toothbrushes to Take Care of Baby's Gums and New Teeth
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Although those adorable first teeth are only temporary, they play an important role in the development and health of your child's permanent teeth. You want to take care of your baby’s teeth and gums from the very beginning. But, looking for the best baby toothbrush for your child might be overwhelming with so many options to choose from. Ahead, we’ve outlined what you should look for while shopping for a baby toothbrush, plus our top picks based on recommendations from experts and parents.
How we chose the best baby toothbrushes
We spoke with two pediatric dentists, Ashley Lerman, DDS, a pediatric dentist with NYU Langone in New York, and Michelle M. Kelman, DDS, a pediatric dentist with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and a member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board, who both explained how to best care for baby’s gums and teeth and provided guidance on shopping for baby toothbrushes, focusing on what materials and features to look for based on baby’s stage of development.
Per guidance from Dr. Lerman, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) we ensured that every toothbrush on our list was specifically designed for babies, soft-bristled and BPA- and phthalate-free. We also made sure to include a range of options for different ages, including newborns up to 6-year-olds.
We combed through the What to Expect community of millions of parents to see which baby toothbrushes the majority of parents use and recommend to one another, evaluating each pick based on the following criteria:
Ease of use
Comfort to hold and maneuver — for both parents and babies
Other factors to consider in a baby toothbrush
When shopping for a quality baby toothbrush, consider the following:
Type: The type of toothbrush or tooth-cleaning product you use will likely depend on your child’s age. In the beginning you may gravitate towards tooth wipes to simply wipe baby’s gums clean. Another alternative for newborns and young babies, are silicone gum massagers. These are textured silicone options that are often designed to look like toothbrushes but are actually used to massage and clean their gums before their teeth erupt. As babies get older and start holding the brush themselves, you can opt for a more traditional style — just ensure it has soft bristles, says Dr. Lerman. And, you’ll want the head to still be small enough to fit in his mouth and reach toward the back of his gums.
Material: Most toothbrushes for babies feature silicone or nylon bristles. What’s nice about silicone toothbrushes is that they can also sometimes double as a teether. Whether opting for a gum massager or a traditional baby toothbrush, look for materials that are BPA- and phthalate-free.
Size: Consider both handle and brush size. You may want to go for one that will be easy for baby to hold and manipulate, especially if you plan on using it as a teether, too. And, you’ll want to make sure the model is designed for the age of your child — you don’t want a brush that’s too large or small for her mouth.
When should you start using a toothbrush with your baby?
Though it may sound silly, it’s important to start brushing the gums when there are no teeth, says Dr. Lerman. You can use a soft, damp washcloth or gauze pad to wipe the gums after each feeding, but gum massager brushes and finger brushes are also great options. “Massaging the gums helps alleviate teething discomfort and desensitizes the mouth, which gets the baby used to the feeling of brushing in the future,” says Dr. Lerman.
Once the first tooth erupts — usually around 6 months — you can introduce a toothbrush. The AAP recommends parents use a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste to brush baby teeth twice daily as soon as they erupt and a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. But you can build up to this with a consistent routine that helps introduce the concept to your little one, says Dr. Lerman. Aim for at least once a day for five to 10 seconds, building up as your kids increase their tolerance, she says. “The earlier that good hygiene habits, routines and behaviors are introduced, the higher the likelihood of having a healthy baseline in the mouth for the adult teeth once they erupt (usually around 6 years old).”
Types of baby toothbrushes
If you’re wondering what toothbrush is best for baby, you should know that there’s not a single answer. “The best type of toothbrush is one that will be used,” says Dr. Lerman. “When you’re starting your oral hygiene routine for your child, it’s more about consistency than about flare.”
That said, there are different types of baby toothbrushes, including:
Gum massagers: These “brushes” typically feature textured silicone surfaces that mimic traditional toothbrush bristles. Starting at birth, you can use a silicone gum brush or finger brush to help soothe, stimulate and clean the gums, says Dr. Lerman. These help desensitize the gums and get the baby acclimated to the feeling of cleaning the mouth.
Wipes: Another great option for before baby is ready for a traditional toothbrush, these small gauze-like pads are often saturated in ingredients like xylitol to help prevent tooth decay. Parents can simply wipe baby’s gums with these after each feeding.
Traditional brushes: Childrens toothbrushes mirror those of adults, but tend to have smaller handles, says Dr. Lerman. And, the baby toothbrushes you want to look for are those with soft bristles. “The soft bristles will protect the enamel, or the outer layer of the tooth, as well as protect the gums from recession, which can lead to sensitivity,” she adds. Over time, bristles get hard and worn out, which is why it’s recommended to switch toothbrushes every 3 months.
Here, some of the best baby toothbrushes on the market.
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What to Expect is the world’s most trusted pregnancy and parenting brand for a reason. Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. Our editors adhere to the highest research and reporting standards and our team of vetted OB/GYNs, pediatricians and other health professionals ensure our recommended products are safe and effective for you and your baby.
Best Baby Finger Toothbrush
FridaBaby SmileFrida The Finger Toothbrush
- Double-sided design
- includes storage stand
- Bristles don’t go all the way around
If your baby is new to brushing (outside of you wiping his gums), or he’s not too fond of using a traditional toothbrush, try the FridaBaby SmileFrida The Finger Toothbrush.
For babies 3 months and up, this double-sided finger brush cleans the top and bottom gums simultaneously, which will help make the process as quick and painless as possible (which you’ll be especially grateful for with a squirmy infant!). Parents praise how soft and gentle the silicone bristles are on their child’s gums, especially as they’re experiencing pain and soreness from erupting teeth. It also includes a sanitary storage case so you can leave it on your bathroom counter or pack it in a travel bag. You’ll want to note that this finger toothbrush won’t help once baby’s teeth erupt as it’s only meant for massaging his gums.
Recommended age: 3 months and up
Bristle material: Silicone
Dimensions: 3.5 x 1.38 x 5 inches
Most Comfortable-to-Hold Baby Toothbrush
Jordan Step 1 Baby Toothbrush
- Handle doubles as biting ring
- comes with toothpaste indicator
- Wide base makes these harder to store
Your baby may be drawn to this one like he is to a favorite toy! The Jordan Step 1 Baby Toothbrush has a wide ring handle that’s easy for babies to hold and is the brush that Dr. Kelman recommends. Parents loved that babies could easily grip the wide handle as their fine motor skills develop, helping them get used to brushing their teeth. And, its nubby texture will bring delight to gummy mouths and those that have sprouted (or are sprouting) teeth. It even has two colored bristles to help you determine exactly how much toothpaste to use each time. (Great for first-time parents!) Another bonus: It comes in a pack that includes four toothbrushes in fun, vibrant colors, so you’ll always have an extra on hand when it’s time to replace.
Recommended age: 0-2 years
Bristle material: Nylon
Dimensions: 9.09 x 5.39 x 0.79 inches
Best Baby Toothbrush and Toothpaste Set
Colgate My First Baby and Toddler Toothpaste and Toothbrush
- Non-slip handle
- easy to hold
- Some didn’t like the toothpaste flavor
The Colgate My First Baby and Toddler Toothpaste and Toothbrush combo is priced right and does a superb job at keeping baby’s teeth and gums clean and fresh. Parents love the convenience of the two-in-one kit, since it takes the guesswork out of selecting a complementary toothpaste suitable for the littlest set.
Sarah Darby, Senior SEO Content Strategist at What to Expect, finally found success with these Colgate baby toothbrushes after her son refused to let her use the Fridababy finger brush. “We love them because the bristles are soft and good for a baby-size mouth,” she says. “And they are very affordable — similar to the cost of a regular toothbrush.”
In addition to a pretty cute design, the brush itself is highly functional. It’s made specifically for newborns to 2-year-olds, so it has a small-sized head and non-slip comfort grip handle that’s perfect for tiny hands that haven’t quite nailed dexterity yet.
Recommended age: 3-24 months
Bristle material: Nylon
Dimensions: 3.31 x 1.25 x 7 inches
Best Baby Training Toothbrush
Dr. Brown’s Infant-to-Toddler Toothbrush
- Air dries quickly
- ergonomically-designed handle
- brush head won’t touch counter
- Some say it wore out quickly
Parents love that this Dr. Brown’s Infant-to-Toddler Toothbrush has a comfort grip handle that’s the perfect size for small hands, ideal for training your little one to brush his own teeth. And, although it’s soft for sore mouths, it’s still strong enough to stand up to your baby's gumming.
We also love that this pick is designed to keep the brush head off the sink counter, which will be necessary when your toddler places it down on a questionably-clean bathroom counter. This will also help it air-dry between uses to prevent bacteria buildup.
Christine Mattheis, What to Expect’s Group VP of Content & Brand Solutions, liked this brush so much for her daughter that they went through two of the giraffe-shaped versions. “My daughter did well with this one -- she would grab at it and try to use it the same way she used a teether,” she says. “I had to carefully try to get at her little teeth with it, but overall it was much easier than using the finger toothbrush because she let me put it in her mouth.”
Recommended age: 0-3 years
Bristle material: Nylon
Dimensions: 1 x 2 x 6 inches
Best Electric Baby Toothbrush
brush-baby BabySonic Infant and Toddler Electric Toothbrush
- Lights up
- includes two brush head sizes
- has a timer
- Requires batteries
The brush-baby BabySonic Electric Toothbrush is a gentle vibrating alternative to sometimes harsh electric toothbrushes. Rather than a rough spin that might irritate sensitive gums, this brush simply vibrates to clean. It also has a light that allows caregivers to get a better view when helping brush. You’ll receive two types of brush heads (with a replacement for each): one designed for babies and the other for toddlers and kids. This way, you can use the same brush base as baby grows so they’re used to it as part of their routine. Note that Dr. Kelman actually recommends not using the second head — the one that is said to be for 18- to 36-month-olds — until your child is at least 3-years-old because it might still be too large for their mouths.
Other handy features that parents appreciated are the auto timer, perfect for when your little one starts brushing on his own.
Recommended age: 0-6 years
Bristle material: Nylon
Dimensions: 0.79 x 1.18 x 5.31 inches
Best Teeth Cleaning Wipes
Dr. Brown's Tooth and Gum Wipes
- Great for travel
- reviewers say babies love the flavor
- stays moist
- Some say material is a little thin
These grape-flavored Dr. Brown's Tooth and Gum Wipes are a good deal for cleaning young babies’ gums or to use when you and your kiddo are out and about. The wipes come in a pack of 30 or 90, and are suitable for newborns and older babies alike, so you might want to keep a pack on hand even as baby’s teeth grow for quick on-the-go cleaning. The naturally-derived wipes are formulated with xylitol, too — perfect for parents who are wary of fluoride, especially when baby is too young to properly spit out toothpaste.
Size: 30 or 90 wipes per pack
Material: Plant-Based Xylitol
Dimensions: 0.87 x 7.17 x 3.7 inches
Best Multi-Stage Baby Toothbrush Set
Nuby 4-Stage Oral Care Set
- Grows with your baby
- includes stand
- Some said nylon bristles didn’t last long
The Nuby 4-Stage Oral Care Set accommodates for baby’s oral health at every stage. Designed for newborns and children up to 6 years old, the system features a finger massage brush for babies under 3 months, a stage two massaging brush to gently brush and massage the gums and newly erupted teeth (3 months and up), a stage three massaging brush (11 months and up) and a nylon bristle brush for little ones with teeth. The set comes with a handy stand to hold the massager and brushes, so you don’t have to worry about storage. What makes buying all four brushes at once a great idea is that you can switch between them as needed.
Parents say that these brushes are ideal for the various stages of teeth development in baby, with one person saying that the teething/gum brushes in this set are the only brushes to reach her child's two-year molars.
Recommended age: 0 months and up
Bristle material: Silicone, nylon
Dimensions: 4 x 3.5 x 8 inches
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