• You can just use a soft, clean washcloth to clean the first teeth. A small dab of regular toothpaste can be used on the washcloth. It is important not to use much toothpaste as the small child can’t rinse and spit out the excess.
• As the child gets older, chose a fluoride toothpaste but just use a peas sized dot to make sure the child does not swallow a large amount of fluoride.
• Even though kids’ toothpastes are pleasantly flavoured to encourage the child to brush, you should teach your child not to swallow the toothpaste after brushing as this could make them ill. A good way to get them to remember to spit it out is to tell them that it contains all the “gross stuff” they just brushed off their teeth.