Bath & Body Products The Best Baby Toothbrushes for Budding Pearly Whites By Christin Perry Christin Perry Christin Perry is a freelance writer and editor. Her work has been published in The Bump, The Knot, Scary Mommy, LittleThings, Parents, Qeepsake, and more. She has experience writing email marketing campaigns, website copy, and SEO-optimized content. Christin is also a mom of three. Learn about our editorial process Updated on June 01, 2022 Medically reviewed by Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD Medically reviewed by Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD LinkedIn Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD, is a board-certified family medicine physician and currently serves as the medical director of an outpatient clinic. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Verywell / Jaclyn Mastropasqua It’s an exciting time when your little one’s first teeth start to appear. Baby teeth can pop up as early as 6 months old, so it’s important to care for them as early as possible. Some baby toothbrushes resemble an adult toothbrush, while others are geared for teething or fit on the finger for easy use. Before purchasing a toothbrush for your baby, check for one that is age-appropriate with soft bristles for gentle brushing. We carefully considered design, age recommendations, ease of use, and value when reviewing products. A board-certified family physician on our Review Board also reviewed this article for medical accuracy and integrity surrounding what to look for in baby toothbrushes, as well as when and how often to use them. Here are the best baby toothbrushes to get your little one excited about brushing teeth. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Brilliant Baby’s First Teether-Brush at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Radius Pure Baby Toothbrush at Walmart Jump to Review Best Fingertip Brush: FridaBaby SmileFrida The Finger Toothbrush at Amazon Jump to Review Best for 1-Year-Olds: FridaBaby Triple-Angle Toothhugger at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Teething: Baby Banana Infant Toothbrush at Amazon Jump to Review Best Set: Nûby 4 Stage Oral Care System at Amazon Jump to Review Best Electric: Brush-Baby BabySonic Electric Toothbrush at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Baby to Handle: Ecovana Training Baby Toothbrush at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQ Why Trust Verywell Family Best Overall Brilliant Baby Buddy Baby’s First Teether-Brush 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Bed Bath & Beyond The Brilliant Baby Buddy Baby’s First Teether-Brush is our top pick because it doubles as a teether and a toothbrush. Made of BPA-free food-grade silicone, this baby toothbrush is virtually indestructible and ideal for gentle brushing. The Baby Buddy is designed for babies 4 months old and up, because the soft silicone bristles make it useful before those teeth start to show. Plus, you can freeze it, throw it in the dishwasher, and even pop it into a bottle sterilizer if you need a quick cleanse. Price at time of publish: $4 Best Budget Radius Pure Baby Toothbrush Thrive Market View On Walmart View On Bed Bath & Beyond View On Freshnless.com While it's important to give your baby the best start possible when it comes to oral health, that doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot of money on a toothbrush. If you’re looking for the best budget baby toothbrush, consider the Radius, which is sold online at Thrive Market. The Radius is a basic brush in a scaled-down size that is just right for little mouths. Despite its budget price tag, you can feel confident that the Radius brush is a safe choice for your baby. The soft bristles are made from vegetable-based nylon, and the brush is dye-free and BPA-free. Price at time of publish: $4 Best Fingertip Brush FridaBaby SmileFrida The Finger Toothbrush Amazon View On Amazon It’s never too early to start brushing bacteria and debris away from your baby’s gums. When they’re tiny, there’s really no better way to do this than a fingertip brush. With this type of brush, you can use your finger to gently rub along your baby’s gums and emerging teeth for a whole-mouth clean—even in infancy. A fingertip brush is also great for getting your baby used to a mouth-cleaning routine. We love FridaBaby’s fingertip brush for its durability and BPA-free, food-grade silicone construction. The brush has two-sided action for a thorough clean. Price at time of publish: $8 Best for 1-Year-Olds FridaBaby Triple-Angle Toothhugger Amazon View On Amazon Once teeth start emerging from baby's gums, it’s time to upgrade to one of the best baby toothbrushes for 1-year-olds. You’ll find many to choose from, but our favorite is this super-popular FridaBaby toddler toothbrush. Another amazing offering from the innovative FridaBaby company, this toothbrush's funny shape was designed to “hug” your toddler's teeth. The clever design allows you to get their teeth clean with much less brushing than a regular toothbrush. Your toddler will get a kick out of “brushing” their teeth all by themselves with this brush, and you’ll love that they're learning good hygiene habits at a young age. Price at time of publish: $8 Caring for Your Baby's First Tooth Best for Teething Baby Banana Infant Toothbrush Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Babylist.com Two-in-one baby products are always clear favorites. That’s why we love the Banana Baby brush and teether. The best part about this brush is that your baby can brush all by themselves, promoting hand-eye coordination and good hygiene. This ingenious product is perfectly shaped for little hands to easily grasp, and its gentle silicone bristles bring relief to sore gums while still brushing them clean. Price at time of publish: $8 Breastfeeding When Your Baby Is Teething Best Set Nûby 4 Stage Oral Care System Amazon View On Amazon If you're looking to purchase a toothbrushing set that will last from infancy to toddlerhood, you'll love the Nûby 4 Stage Oral Care System. It comes with four brushes: a soft, silicone fingertip brush that you can use right from birth and three additional brushes for the different stages of teething. The first brush is great for early teething (from about six months). It’s great for getting your baby used to the feeling of a toothbrush in their mouth and also lets them work on their grip. As your baby's teething process continues, the additional brushes will provide a much-needed relief from sore gums—you can even pop them in the refrigerator to increase their comfort. The toddler-sized toothbrush is ideal for when your little one's baby teeth finally come in. By that time, your toddler should be a pro at using a toothbrush! Price at time of publish: $8 Why Babies Love Teethers Best Electric Brush-Baby BabySonic Electric Toothbrush Amazon View On Amazon You might not have considered using an electric toothbrush on your baby, but they offer many benefits. They’re able to blast away plaque and tartar buildup much more effectively than a manual toothbrush, providing a whole-mouth clean that's similar to professional cleaning. We recommend Brush-Baby's Baby Sonic Electric Toothbrush. It’s got the sonic power of an adult electric toothbrush in a little-mouth size. It even has an easy-to-grasp handle that lets your baby do the brushing themselves. The soft bristles are safe for developing teeth and gums. Plus, the BabySonic has an incorporated LED light that little ones love. Price at time of publish: $17 Best for Baby to Handle Ecovana Training Baby Toothbrush Amazon View On Amazon If you’re looking for a baby toothbrush that is super easy for little hands to hold, try this uniquely shaped brush from Ecovona. It’s got a wide, ergonomic handle with a hole in the middle, making it perfectly adapted for tiny fingers. This cool baby toothbrush, which comes in a variety of fun colors, also acts as a two-in-one. Your baby can learn hand-eye coordination while practicing good oral health habits. As an added bonus, the bottom of the handle can be used as a teether. Price at time of publish: $9 Final Verdict If you're wanting to find your baby's first toothbrush, consider the Brilliant Baby's First Teether-Brush (view at Amazon). Not only did this teether-brush earn our Best Overall pick, it was also designed by a dentist. Your little one's chewing motions gently sweep away debris and clean their budding pearly whites. For a set that will last through infancy to toddlerhood, there's the Nûby 4 Stage Oral Care System (view at Amazon). It comes with four brushes: one soft, silicone fingertip brush that you can use right from birth and three additional brushes for the different stages of teething. What to Look for in a Baby Toothbrush Age Appropriate When your little one first starts showing teeth, you may wonder what type of toothbrush to get. First, make sure the toothbrush is age appropriate. While you may think an adult toothbrush would work just fine, it's best to buy a smaller toothbrush to fit your baby's needs. A smaller toothbrush helps them learn about grasping and maneuvering around their mouth to wipe away debris and bacteria. A smaller toothbrush will fit in baby's mouth much easier, too, hitting teeth better and ensuring they're getting clean. Check the manufacturer's age recommendations before using a toothbrush for baby. Overall, you want to make sure they have their own toothbrush and are brushing twice a day—once after breakfast and just before bed. Brushing teeth twice a day for at least two minutes is important dental hygiene to instill early. Soft Bristles Brushing at an early age is important, so finding the right toothbrush is key. There are many baby toothbrushes on the market, but before you make your final decision, look for a toothbrush with soft bristles, especially if baby is just starting to bud teeth. This cleans their mouth and may also feel soothing. Toothbrushes with soft bristles are great for cleaning gums. Once a baby starts growing teeth, decay can begin, which is why good dental hygiene is vital once they start teething. It may feel like soft bristles aren't doing much, but for a baby's mouth, it's plenty. It removes any milk and sugar buildup from meals. Teething Toothbrush vs. Finger Toothbrush Now that you know a soft bristle toothbrush is the way to go for babies, it's time to decide between a teething toothbrush or finger toothbrush. There are a few differences between the two, but many parents and caregivers wonder if one cleans better than the other. Teething toothbrushes typically have soft bristles, sometimes made of silicone, that can resemble an adult toothbrush but smaller. Once baby's teeth erupt, these are ideal for brushing teeth as baby can grasp the toothbrush themselves and learn how to brush independently (with help, of course). As for finger toothbrushes, they fit on a finger like a thimble does for sewing. They also have soft silicone bristles to help clean gums from any buildup. These are perfect for simply cleaning baby's mouth before any teeth come in. They can also be used once teeth erupt, too, with a rice-sized amount of toothpaste. Frequently Asked Questions Do I need to brush my infant's gums before they have teeth? Waiting for your baby to erupt teeth is an exciting time, but many parents and caregivers don't realize they should actually start brushing early. According to the American Dental Association, you'll want to clean your baby's mouth beginning directly after birth.While this doesn't mean you need to add toothpaste and an actual toothbrush before they have teeth, you do want to care for their gums. Take a fingertip toothbrush or washcloth to simply rub their gums before the first tooth erupts. Once a tooth appears, decay can begin forming if the mouth is not properly cleaned. How often should I brush my infant's teeth? Once baby's first tooth erupts, you'll want to start brushing twice a day, every day. When that first tooth comes in, decay is a possibility, so cleaning the teeth twice a day ensures healthy dental hygiene. You'll need to brush baby's teeth with a fluoride toothpaste once after breakfast and just before they go to bed. You want their toothbrush to be the last thing to touch their teeth at night.You'll want to use a rice-sized amount of toothpaste on your child's brush until they turn three. Too much toothpaste can lead to fluorosis, a condition that can permanently stain teeth by forming pits and spots on teeth. Why Trust Verywell Family? Katrina Cossey has been a digital content producer and news and feature writer for more than six years. She has covered topics ranging from local to national news as well as writing and researching parenting content. Katrina is a parent herself and recommends the Baby Banana Infant Toothbrush (view at Amazon) because it acts as a two-in-one. The product brings relief to sore gums while still getting teeth clean. 4 Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Baby teeth - American Dental Association. HealthyChildren.org. Good oral health starts early. American Dental Association. Baby teeth. Cleveland Clinic. Parents: you may not start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as you should―and yes, it’s a big problem! See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit