How to clean a baby’s first teeth
Your baby just got her first teeth! Now how do you clean them? And do you use toothpaste? Paediatrician Dr. Dina Kulik has the answers.
My baby just got her first two teeth. How should I clean them? Once your baby has teeth, I suggest wiping or brushing them twice a day with a cloth or baby toothbrush.
No toothpaste is needed, but fluoride-free toothpaste is safe to swallow and, if your child likes the taste, it can help to clean teeth. Swallowing this toothpaste is safe.
Avoid toothpaste containing fluoride for a few years, until your child can consistently spit it out.
Read more: When should a baby start teething? How to promote your child's dental health
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Dina is an entrepreneur, pediatrician, emergency medicine doctor and blogger based in Toronto, Ontario. She is the founder and CEO of Kidcrew, a multidisciplinary kids' health clinic.