Oral health and teething
You can start brushing your baby's teeth as soon as they start to come through. Use a baby toothbrush with a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste.
There's no need to worry if you don't manage to brush much at first. The important thing is to get your baby used to brushing their teeth as part of their daily routine. You can help by setting a good example and letting them see you brushing your own teeth.
Take your child with you when you go for your own dental appointments so they get used to the idea. NHS dental treatment for children is free, but not all dentists will take on new NHS patients. To find a dentist, you can:
- use the NHS find a dentist service
- ask at your local clinic
- contact NHS England by:
- calling 0300 311 223
- emailing england.contactus@nhs.net
Useful links
Visit Best Start in Life for more information on how to take care of your baby or toddler's teeth.
You can also visit the NHS website for more advice on looking after your baby's teeth.
The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry offer a practical guide to children’s teeth (PDF 254Kb).
