Baby's First Teeth: How to Clean Those Pearly Whites

Those first pearly whites are the sweetest addition to your baby’ smile. Whether it be one or two on the top or bottom, they add real character to your infant’s smile. My eldest daughter sprouted her first tooth at 4.5 months which was quite early considering that my other two didn’t get them until later. As they were infants, I didn’t feel comfortable using toothpaste as I was sure they were going to swallow it, so how was I to clean them?

My pediatrician recommended taking a washcloth and wetting the edge with water before rubbing it along their teeth and gums to remove plaque. I liked using our receiving blankets for this, as I preferred the fabric for really small ones. A couple of months later I graduated to the washcloth ;). It was actually a win-win as my daughter loved the massage on her sore gums and I was able to keep an eye on her teeth.

After my daughter got a few teeth, we bought her a mini toothbrush and haven’t looked back since. I do suggest checking in with your pediatrician before using fluoride toothpaste, as fluoride can be toxic to children if ingested in large quantities. It can also be an issue if you live in an area where the water is fluoridated. My daughter is now 3 years old and I still use *just* a pea sized drop when brushing her teeth.