When Can You Introduce Toothpaste to a Toddler?

Infancy

• You should begin brushing your child's teeth using a bit of water as soon as the first tooth appears. You can also run a wet washcloth gently along his gums to clean bacteria and prevent tooth decay. The activity gets your child accustomed to having his mouth cleaned, and should make him more receptive when you begin to use a toothbrush. Use plain water to brush until your child is 2 years old, unless advised otherwise by your dentist.

Toddler Brushing

• Most toothpastes contain fluoride, which isn't meant to be swallowed. After your child is 2 years old, the risk of too much fluoride is minimized, states the ADA. Use a small pea-sized amount and encourage your child to spit out any remaining toothpaste and rinse his mouth after. Once he fully grasps the concept of spitting, you can use a bit more toothpaste. According to an article published in "The New York Times," swallowing a large amount of toothpaste can cause stomach pain and possible intestinal blockage, along with shock, tremors and vomiting.

Independence

• Monitor your toddler to ensure that he is getting the hang of being thorough when brushing, getting the teeth on top and bottom and not forgetting to brush his tongue to eliminate bad breath. The ADA recommends brushing twice a day, and states that by age 6 or 7 most children should be able to brush without assistance.

Visiting the Dentist

• The ADA recommends that parents schedule a child's first dentist appointment when his first tooth comes through, but no later than a year old. This gets your child accustomed to visiting the dentist and allows the dentist to ensure that everything is developing appropriately. He can also look for complications that might arise as a result of behaviors such as thumb sucking.