Time to Brush Teeth
Brush together at the same time and place each day. Use the same short song and ending so the routine becomes familiar to your baby.
- 6 months
- Quick prep
- At home
- About 5 minutes
Developmental benefits
- Social/Emotional：A repeated family toothbrushing routine helps your baby anticipate what happens next and experience daily care as familiar and secure.
Preparation
What You’ll Need
- 1
A baby toothbrush
- 2
a toothbrushing chart
Step 1
It’s Family Toothbrushing Time
As your baby’s teeth begin to appear, make brushing a predictable part of the bedtime routine. Go to the same brushing place, brush together as a family, and sing the same short toothbrushing song while you help your baby.
What to notice
- Opens their mouth as toothbrushing begins
Sense of Identity and Belonging - Looks at you while you sing the toothbrushing song
Attending and Understanding
Tips
- If your baby is not yet comfortable with the toothbrush, begin gently and keep the first turns brief.
- Repeat the same short song so its melody becomes a cue that toothbrushing is beginning.
Step 2
Make Toothbrushing Playful
If your baby turns away or resists during brushing, pause and respond to them. A playful sound or expression can lighten the moment before you invite them back to the routine.
What to notice
- Stops crying when they hear you make a gurgling sound
Emotional Functioning - Turns their head away to communicate that they do not want brushing
Communicating and Speaking
Tips
- If your baby cries or resists, pause and help them settle before continuing.
Step 3
Finish the Same Way Each Day
Use a familiar ending: admire your baby’s clean teeth, return the toothbrush to its cup, and mark the toothbrushing chart. Repeating the sequence helps your baby recognize the routine.
What to notice
- Smiles at you when praised Sense of Identity and Belonging
- Keeps their mouth open to cooperate after hearing the familiar toothbrushing song Sense of Identity and Belonging
Tips
- Marking the chart together can become a small family ritual that signals the routine is complete.
- A calm, responsive routine repeated over time helps toothbrushing become a familiar part of the day.
Better Parenting Content Team · Updated September 11, 2026