At twelve months of age, a small, soft toothbrush with water on it can be used. As your child gets older, a small dab of toothpaste can be used on the toothbrush. Consult your child's dentist regarding the best time for your child to begin using toothpaste. Do not give your baby a bottle in bed to fall asleep. If your baby drinks from a bottle and then falls asleep, milk or juice will stay on the teeth and cause tooth decay.
Baby teeth are important.
Teeth are needed to chew food and form sounds when talking. Baby teeth also save space in the mouth for permanent teeth, making it particularly important to take care of them. A baby s first tooth usually appears between the ages of 5 and 7 months. Some babies get their first tooth a little earlier and others a little later. Often, the two middle bottom teeth come through the gums first, followed by the middle four upper teeth.