Do You Need a Toothbrush for Your Baby?
Simply put, yes, you need to get a toothbrush for your baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says one in ten 2-year-olds already have tooth decay. Even though baby teeth will eventually come out, early tooth decay can cause problems later on, so it’s important to start good dental habits early. You need to know about the best toddler toothbrush.
How to Take Care of Your Baby’s Teeth
Breast milk and formula have natural sugars that can cause tooth decay. So, it’s important to start good dental care from the beginning. Here are some tips from the AAP to help you:
- Choose the right tool. Before your baby’s first tooth appears, gently clean their mouth after each feeding with a clean, damp cloth or gauze pad.
- When your baby’s teeth start to come in, use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Use the right amount of toothpaste.
- For kids under 3, use a tiny bit of toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice). When your child turns 3, use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
- Brush twice a day.
- Around your child’s first birthday, start a routine of brushing twice a day for 2 minutes each time.
- Tip: Use a sand timer to make sure your little one brushes for the right amount of time.
- Change your child’s toothbrush often.
Dentists say you should get a new toothbrush for your child every 3 months to avoid bacteria buildup.
Types of Toothbrushes for Babies and Toddlers
There are four main types of toothbrushes for young kids: a gum massager, a teether brush, a baby toothbrush, and an electric model. The best toothbrush for your baby is one that fits their age and stage of development. Here’s more about the different types of toothbrushes and what they do:
A gum brush for babies:
This type cleans a baby’s gums before or as their first teeth come in. Some gum brushes fit on your finger like a thimble, while others are wipes that you wrap around your finger. 
You don’t need toothpaste with these, as the wiping action cleans the gums. Gum brushes are best for mouths with more gums than teeth.
A teether toothbrush:
This toothbrush is a textured teether that helps with gum pain and cleans the baby’s mouth. You don’t need toothpaste with a teether brush, as the baby’s chewing cleans the teeth.
A first baby toothbrush:
Made for babies with their first teeth, this small brush has soft bristles. Use it with a small amount of fluoride-free toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice).
An electric toothbrush:
For babies or toddlers is a new idea, but it’s available! Like adult electric toothbrushes, they do a lot of the brushing for you. Just add some baby toothpaste and move the brush over the baby’s teeth and gums while it works.
A toddler toothbrush is made for little ones who can brush on their own. You might need to teach them and encourage them, but it will make dental visits easier. Use fluoride-free toothpaste until age 3, unless the dentist says otherwise.
What to Look for in a Toothbrush for Babies or Toddlers
When shopping for your baby’s first toothbrush or updating your toddler’s dental care tools, keep these things in mind:
Soft bristles
The most important thing in a baby toothbrush is soft bristles. They are gentle on new teeth and sore gums but still remove bacteria and plaque. During teething, baby’s gums are very sensitive, so gentle brushing is important.
Easy to hold
Choose a toothbrush with a big, easy-to-hold handle to make brushing easier for you and your child.
Materials
The best toothbrushes for babies and toddlers are made from materials that are free from BPA and phthalates.
The Best Toothbrushes for Babies and Toddlers
When picking a toothbrush, look at the age recommendation to find one that’s right for your child’s needs. Not sure where to start? Check out this list of the best toothbrushes for babies and toddlers.
Best Overall Baby Toothbrush
Brush Baby BabySonic Infant and Toddler Electric Toothbrush
Image: Walmart
Where to Buy
Walmart|$16.95
Amazon|$16.95
Why We Love It
- Soft bristles
- Comes with extra brush heads for babies and toddlers
- Sonic vibrations reduce plaque by 21%
Things to Keep in Mind
- The brush head vibrates but doesn’t spin
- Needs AAA batteries
The BabySonic Electric Toothbrush is first on our list. It’s for kids from 0 to 3 years old and has a big handle and a small head that lights up to help you see those hard-to-reach spots. The gentle sonic vibrations help reduce plaque and soothe sore gums. It stands upright for cleanliness and has a two-minute timer to encourage good brushing habits when your child is ready to brush on their own.
No wonder it won a Best of Baby award in 2022!
Buy Now
Best Baby Toothbrush and Toothpaste Set
Colgate My First Baby and Toddler Bubble Fruit Toothpaste and Toothbrush
Image: Walmart
Where to Buy
Walmart|$4.97
Amazon|$4.97
Why We Love It
- Good price
- Very soft bristles
- Handle is easy to hold
Things to Keep in Mind
Some parents say the toothpaste is too watery
Colgate’s baby toothbrush looks like one for older kids but is
- Made for babies and young toddlers.
- It has super-soft bristles and an easy-to-hold handle.
- The best part? It comes with fluoride-free toothpaste that tastes mild and fruity, which little kids like.
Best Baby Toothbrush for Fun Brushing
Brushes Full Set With Book
Image: Maisonette
Where to Buy
Maisonette|$30
Amazon|$27.96
Why We Love It
- Made from dishwasher-safe silicone
- Soft finger brushes are gentle on sore gums
- Adding a story to brushing might make toddlers want to brush their teeth
Things to Keep in Mind
- Some parents say the book has old-fashioned gender roles
- Make brushing fun from the start with this set of storybooks and finger toothbrushes.
- It includes four brushes made from 100% food-grade silicone free from BPA, latex, and phthalates.
- The book has stories about each character and tips for keeping teeth clean.
- Suitable for kids from 4 weeks to 4 years.
Best Baby Toothbrush for Teething
Baby Banana Infant Teething Toothbrush
Image: Target
Where to Buy
Target|$8.95
Walmart|$6.98
Why We Love It
- Works as a teether, too
- Made from dishwasher-safe silicone
- Curved handle is easy for babies to hold on their own
Things to Keep in Mind
Some parents say the suction cup on the bottom doesn’t work
- This banana-shaped brush is one of the best for babies,
- And it’s not just because it’s cute.
- The silicone brush has a smart design:
- It’s easy for babies to hold and chew on,
- helping them relieve teething pain while cleaning their teeth.
Tip: Put it in the fridge for a few minutes before giving it to your baby for instant cooling relief.
Buy Now
Best Baby Finger Toothbrush
NUK Grins And Giggles Three-Sided Baby Finger brush And Cleanser Set
Image: Walmart
Where to Buy
Walmart|$14.99
Amazon|$8.42
Why We Love It
- Free from BPA
- Comes with a fluoride-free cleanser
- Silicone bristles gently clean teeth and gums
Things to Keep in Mind
Some parents say the finger brush is too big for a baby’s mouth
To clean your little one’s gums and new teeth,
- put this baby toothbrush on your index finger
- and add a bit of toothpaste.
- A row of nubby bristles lets you clean the front, back, and top of a tooth simultaneously.
- It’s like training wheels as you move to a bigger kid toothbrush.
Best Baby Toothbrush-Teether Combo
Jordan Step 1 Baby Toothbrush
Image: Amazon
Where to Buy
Amazon|$9.90
Why We Love It
- Narrow 1cm tip
- Handle is easy to hold
- Works as a teething ring, too
Things to Keep in Mind
Some parents say the bristles wear down quickly
Among the best baby toothbrushes is this one by Jordan.
- It has a wide handle
- That also works as a teething ring
- And a narrow brush head with very soft bristles.
- The design is easy to hold, thanks to a hole in the middle that fits a parent’s thumb perfectly.
- Plus, a colored strip on the brush head shows you how much toothpaste to use.
Best Toddler Training Toothbrush
FridaBaby Grow-with-Me Training Toothbrush Set
Image: Target
Where to Buy
Target|$12.99
Amazon|$12.97
Kohl’s|$12.99
Why We Love It
- Silicone handles are easy to grip
- Triple-angle bristles clean all sides of teeth at once
- Toddler toothbrush has color-changing bristles that tell you when it’s time for a new one.
Things to Keep in Mind
Some parents say their child can take off the safety stopper on the baby toothbrush
Your child might need help now, but the goal is to get them brushing on their own. This set by FridaBaby is a great tool for that.
- The oral care set has two manual toothbrushes that help kids learn to brush independently.
- At 6 months, start with the soft silicone baby toothbrush
- that gently massages sore gums and cleans new teeth.
- Switch to the stage two toothbrush when your little one becomes a toddler (around 18 months).
- It’s made for toddlers who need help reaching every part of their mouth:
- The triple-angled bristles clean all sides of the teeth at once.
- It also has a suction cup bottom that keeps the brush standing on your sink.
- And blue bristles that fade to white when it’s time to throw it away.
Best Toddler Toothbrush for Ages 3+
Radius Totz Toothbrush
Image: Target
Where to Buy
Target|$9.51
Walmart|$4.70
Amazon|$12.60 for a pack of 3
Why We Love It
- Very soft bristles
- Small, smooth brush head
- Handle is easy to hold and helps with independent brushing
Things to Keep in Mind
Some parents say this toothbrush needs to be replaced more often than other brands. The last toothbrush on our list for babies and toddlers is from Radius. The American Dental Association has given it their seal of approval.
- It’s meant for kids 3 years and older
- which is when baby teeth start to get loose and fall out.
- This toothbrush has super soft bristles made from nylon that comes from vegetables.
- They’re soft on sensitive mouths but strong against plaque.
- The handle is non-slip, so it’s easy for small hands to hold.
- and it’s made without any artificial colors or harmful chemicals.
