When to start

The CDC suggests wiping a baby’s gums twice a day with a soft, clean cloth, then brushing twice a day with a soft, small-bristled brush once teeth come in. For the very first teeth, the CDC suggests plain water, and to ask your dentist or doctor about toothpaste for children under 2. Dental groups word this differently: the ADA and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advise a rice-size smear of fluoride toothpaste from the first tooth. Both pieces of advice are about fluoride toothpaste. Tooth Wizard is fluoride-free, so follow the directions on its tube and ask your child’s dentist which approach fits your child.

Find a position that works

Sit on the floor with your toddler’s head in your lap, facing up. You can see every tooth and they feel held. Standing toddlers do well in front of a mirror with you behind them, so you can reach in from above. Pick one position and keep it, because the routine itself is calming.

The technique, scaled down

The ADA’s technique works for small mouths too: tilt the brush toward the gumline, use short, gentle, tooth-wide strokes, and clean the outside, inside and chewing surfaces. Tilt the brush upright for the backs of the front teeth. Aim for two minutes in total, a little at a time if needed.

Small tricks that help

A two-minute song or sand timer gives the routine an end point. Let your toddler hold a second brush, or brush your teeth at the same time. Narrate where you are going next: top teeth, bottom teeth, the back ones. Stop at two minutes even if it was messy, and try again tonight.

Toothpaste and spitting

Use the amount your tube directs (a pea-sized amount for Tooth Wizard), and help them spit out the extra. Spitting is a skill that takes practice, so model it at the sink. Tooth Wizard Strawberry is made for kids, with a sweet strawberry flavor.

Plan the first dental visit

The AAPD and the CDC recommend a first dental visit by your child’s first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth. It is a good moment to ask your dentist to watch you brush and show you where to focus.