Brushing, Toothpaste and Fluoride: Dental Habits for Kids by Age
If you are the parent of a young child, the practical questions tend to be simple ones: how to brush, how much toothpaste to use, and what fluoride is for. Below is each in turn.
When to start brushing, and how much toothpaste
For children younger than 3 years, caregivers should begin brushing children's teeth as soon as they begin to come into the mouth, using fluoride toothpaste in an amount no more than a smear or the size of a grain of rice. Brush teeth thoroughly twice per day (American Dental Association (MouthHealthy)).
For children 3 to 6 years of age, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, and brush teeth thoroughly twice per day (American Dental Association (MouthHealthy)).
What fluoride does
Dental fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making enamel more resistant to acid attacks. Health experts consider fluoride safe and effective when used at recommended levels, and it's worth asking your dentist how often you should get fluoride treatments (Cleveland Clinic).
The first dental visit
On timing, a child's first dental visit should take place after that first tooth appears, but no later than the first birthday, because as soon as a baby has teeth, he or she can get cavities (American Dental Association (MouthHealthy)).
What happens at that appointment, and dental sealants, are each covered separately: see your child's first dental visit and dental sealants for kids.
Next step
Our office is at 147 Main St, 2nd Floor, Lodi, NJ 07644, and Dr. Steven Liao is our dentist. The next step is our first-visit page.
Sources
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). "Healthy Habits." https://www.mouthhealthy.org/life-stages/babies-and-kids/healthy-habits-babies-and-kids
- Cleveland Clinic. "Fluoride." Updated 2026-01-12. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11195-fluoride
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). "Your Baby's First Dental Visit." https://www.mouthhealthy.org/life-stages/babies-and-kids/first-dental-visit-for-baby
