Your first baby toothbrush - a complete buying guide

Buying baby stuff is always accompanied by feelings of euphoria and glee. Celebrating every little milestone your baby reaches, especially if this is your first child, is an indescribable experience.

Case in point, it’s no secret that one of the most anticipated events in a baby’s life is the appearance of that first tooth.

You’ve watched for weeks as your baby fussed, cried, and drooled, trying to make sense of what’s happening, until you see it. That tiny little tooth peeking through his small gums, shining brightly back at you in anticipation!

Buying your first baby toothbrush is one of the most important things you’ll do for your child at that age. Although it will only be used for a fraction of your child’s life, choosing the right one and establishing a routine of brushing their teeth twice a day will set your kiddo for a lifetime of good oral health.

Since your little one’s health is a top priority, we’ve rounded up and reviewed some baby toothbrushes that will ensure that your baby’s first little fangs are properly cared for.

The options are endless, and it’s pretty easy to be confused and settle for whatever seems convenient. Hence, we’re trying to save you the hassle, and save your baby from low-quality toothbrushes.

Here are our top picks for the best baby toothbrush alongside their detailed reviews.

Things We Like:

• Safe
• Durable
• Good training for teething babies
• Travel-friendly

Things We Don’t Like:

• Your baby will use it for a very short time: This type of toothbrush is only for very young babies.
• Picks up fuzz: Silicone materials are known to attract lint and fuzz, which can make it unsafe.
• Bristles might fall off: Because it’s made out of chewable material, your baby might chew one or two of the bristles off, and accidentally swallow them.

Things We Like:

• Versatile
• Easy to clean
• Safe Material
• Affordable

Things We Don't Like:

• Bristles falling off can be a choking hazard
• Silicone tends to pick up dust easily
• Not a long-term brush

Things We Like:

• User-friendly
• Easy to store
• Economic - suits kids up to 6 years
• Assists children throughout the four-stages of teeth growth

Things We Like:

• Not travel-friendly
• Silicone bristles in the first three stages can fall off

Things We Like:

• User-friendly
• Safe to use
• Comes with a storage case
• Easy to clean

Things We Don’t Like:

• Will only be used for a couple of months
• Needs adult supervision

Things We Like:

• Easy to hold
• Soft bristles
• Small head
• Multi-pack
• Safe material

Things We Don’t Like:

• Bristles might fall off
• Hard to store
• Not travel-friendly

First of all, you need to determine what type of toothbrush that your baby needs. Traditionally, there are four types of baby toothbrushes, discounting the regular ones that kids use. If your baby is still growing his or her teeth, you might need a baby gum brush that you can use to massage their gums.

Once they start teething, you’ll be switching to a teether toothbrush that accommodates the pain and discomfort that come with teething. These types of baby toothbrushes are designed to ease the pain and clean the mouth as well.

As time goes by, you’ll find yourself switching to a regular silicone-bristle toothbrush, these are super easy to use and clean.

Here’s a couple of points you need to consider when buying a baby toothbrush:

One of the first things to keep in mind is that his/her first toothbrush has to have soft bristles. Baby’s gums get very easily inflamed, and can be more even sensitive because they’re teething.

Also, keep in mind that the target is to get them to brush their teeth gently. Scrubbing off the enamel can do more harm than good. Early toothbrushes are about building good habits for later on in life.

Minimizing the pain inflicted on your child is your top priority, so always go for a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Another thing to keep in mind is ensuring that the toothbrush has an easy grip. Your baby’s hands are tiny, remember that. You need to pick a toothbrush that won’t overpower your child. Some toothbrushes, like electronic ones, for instance, have pretty fat handles.

Try to avoid these because they’ll be a problem for your baby, and go for the ones with the thinner handles. At only a couple of years old, brushing their teeth will be challenging enough as it is. Save those hard tests for when they’re at school and you’re quizzing them!

One last thing to keep in mind is the size of the toothbrush. Make sure you choose a toothbrush that suits your child’s age.

While baby toothbrushes brands are a dime a dozen, there happens to be a few of them that are worth mentioning.

As highlighted above, the Baby Banana infant toothbrush is pretty acclaimed and very popular among mothers, especially for babies aged 0-2 months.

Baby Buddy’s Baby’s first toothbrush has also garnered some attention. Its unique design and user-friendly style attracts mothers’ attention. We also think that it’s a good brush to jump-start your baby’s dental routine.

A personal favorite of many parents is Nuby’s 4 stages oral care set since it comes equipped with four toothbrushes that will ease your child into the process of brushing his teeth regularly especially that it covers all stages of the child’s teeth growth.

It’s recommended to schedule that first appointment as soon as your child’s first tooth appears.

It’s recommended that your child sees the dentist once every six-months to ensure that no problem arises and that his or her teeth are in good general health. But, it differs from one child to another.

Thus, it’s better to consult with your child’s pediatric dentist to determine the frequency of visits.

No, as long as you use the appropriate toothbrush that suits their age. Avoid using nylon-bristle brushes for toddlers since their gums aren’t yet strong enough to withstand its hard edges.

This is a solid ‘Yes!’

Tooth decay starts from an early age, as statistics have shown that around 20% of children between the ages of 5-11 have an untreated decaying tooth. It’s also worth noting that the NHS stated that pediatric dentists strongly advise parents to clean their babies’ gums after feeding.

To wrap it all up, we know the hassle and the frustration that comes when choosing something for our children. It’s hard to make a decision at the drop of a hat because we simply want the best for our babies.

It can be hard to find a particular toothbrush that your child will like and regularly use, but remember, what works on one child, might not work with another one and that it might take some time until you find the perfect fit for your child’s needs.

Never let your child’s tantrum keep you from fighting the good fight! Don’t give up no matter what!