From First Tooth to Toddlerhood: Best Baby & Toddler Toothbrushes

Last Updated on July 27, 2026 by Jordyn Koveleski Gorman

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Brushing your child’s teeth is one of the first healthy habits you’ll establish together. Choosing the right baby toothbrush or toddler toothbrush can make brushing more comfortable, effective, and even fun.

We rounded up some of our favorite toothbrushes for babies and toddlers. It might take a couple different toothbrushes before you find what works. After all, babies and toddlers can be opinionated – especially when you’re trying to put something unfamiliar in their mouth! But remember, the most important thing is finding a toothbrush your little one will let you use. Find what works, and get to brushing those teeth!

When should I start to brush my baby’s teeth?

The short answer is, as soon as the first tooth erupts. But even before then, you can start using a finger toothbrush or damp cloth on your baby’s gums. We wrote a whole post on when to start brushing your baby’s teeth along with tips from our occupational therapist. Be sure to check it out if you’re just starting to brush or need some troubleshooting ideas!

Best Finger Toothbrush for Baby

Dr. Brown’s Finger Toothbrush for Baby

Price: 2 for $5.99
Recommended age: 3 months +
Bristle material: Silicone

A finger toothbrush is a great way to get in your baby’s mouth and give some sensory input. You can start massaging baby’s gums around 3 months of age. No need for toothpaste! The bristles on this finger brush are soothing to a baby’s gums.

You can use this finger toothbrush to massage the gums and the cheeks. There are two different textures on each brush – soft bristles, and firm bumps.

Best Baby Toothbrush

Dr. Brown’s Infant-to-Toddler Toothbrush

Price: $4.47
Age recommendation: 6 months+
Bristle material: Nylon

I love this Dr. Brown’s baby toothbrush! The bristles are super soft and the size of the toothbrush is perfect for little mouths.

It’s also such a cute design. Little ones will love brushing their teeth with a giraffe! The giraffe’s legs allow it to stand on its own so it dries well and doesn’t hold onto moisture.

More Baby Toothbrushes We Love

Haakaa Baby Toothbrush

Price: $12
Age recommendation: 6 months+
Bristle material: Silicone

The Haakaa Baby Toothbrush features a unique 360-degree silicone brush head that helps clean little teeth from every angle. Made entirely of food-grade silicone, it’s gentle on sensitive gums and can also be used as a teether.

You can use this toothbrush even before baby’s first teeth emerge. The sooner you start, the easier it is to introduce a healthy oral care routine.

Bonus: the suction cup base keeps it standing upright on smooth surfaces for convenient storage.

Baby Banana Infant Toothbrush

Price: $8
Age recommendation: 6 months+
Bristle material: Silicone

The Baby Banana Infant Toothbrush is a great first toothbrush for babies who are just getting their first teeth. The silicone bristles are gentle on sensitive gums and erupting teeth. This makes brushing a more comfortable experience during teething!

One feature we love is the easy-to-grip banana handles, which are perfectly sized for little hands. I like using this as a teether before a toothbrush so your baby gets familiar with it.

As your baby gets comfortable with toothbrushing, you can let them hold and explore it before brushing their teeth. This helps make toothbrushing feel familiar and encourages positive oral care habits from an early age.

Best Toddler Toothbrush

RADIUS Pure Toddler Toothbrush

Price: 3 for $13.44 
Age recommendation: 12 months +  
Bristle material: Vegetable-derived, BPA and PFAS-free

The Radius Pure Toddler Toothbrush is a great choice for toddlers who are ready to transition from a baby toothbrush. Its extra-soft, vegetable-derived bristles are gentle on budding teeth and sensitive gums. The wide brush head helps clean multiple teeth at once.

We’ve used these toothbrushes with our own toddlers and love how soft the bristles are. They’re free from BPA, PFAS, and synthetic dyes. The easy-to-grip wider handle makes it a good option for little hands that are learning to brush independently.

If you prefer a colored option, try these!

Other Toddler Toothbrushes We Love

FridaBaby 3-sided Toddler Toothbrush

Price: 2 for $11.99
Age recommendation: 2 years +
Bristle material: Nylon

If your toddler is just beginning to brush on their own, this toothbrush makes brushing easier. Its unique three-sided brush head cleans the top and side surfaces of the teeth at the same time. As they continue to use it, your toddler will develop the coordination to use a traditional toothbrush.

We also appreciate the thoughtful design features. The Time-to-Toss indicator tells you when to replace the toothbrush by changing the center bristles from blue to white. Plus, the suction cup base allows the toothbrush to stand upright between uses for cleaner, more hygienic storage.

Colorful Toddler Toothbrushes

Price: 4 for $12.95
Age recommendation: 2 years+
Bristle material: Nylon

These colorful toddler toothbrushes are an affordable option for families looking to make toothbrushing a little more fun. The chunky, easy-to-grip handles are designed for little hands, helping toddlers practice brushing more independently.

They’re also travel-friendly with hygienic travel caps included and a suction base to store upright in any bathroom.

Plastic-Free Baby & Toddler Toothbrushes

If you’re looking for a plastic-free alternative, there are several great baby and toddler toothbrushes made with materials like bamboo handles and plant-based or natural bristles. These options can help reduce plastic use while still providing a gentle, effective clean for little smiles.

Dr. Noah Baby and Toddler Toothbrushes

Price: 4 for $19.97
Age recommendation: Stage 1 for 6 months-4 years; Stage 2 for 4 years+
Bristle material: Plant-derived, microplastic-free

Dr. Noah Baby & Toddler Toothbrushes are a great option for parents looking for a more natural toothbrush. They feature a bamboo handle and plant-derived, microplastic-free bristles, and they’re free from BPA, PFAS, and phthalates. For added peace of mind, the toothbrushes are independently tested for hundreds of harmful substances.

The simple staging system makes it easier to choose the right size for your child’s age. The Stage 1 toothbrush is designed for children from 6 months through 4 years. Soft bristles are gentle on developing teeth and gums. The bamboo handle provides a plastic-free alternative for little ones who tend to chew on their toothbrush.

Primals Kids’ Toothbrushes

Price: 4 for $28.99
Age recommendation: 3 years+
Bristle material: Boar hair

The Primals Kids’ Toothbrush is another plastic-free option for families looking to reduce plastic in their child’s oral care routine. It features a natural bamboo handle and boar hair bristles instead of synthetic plastic bristles.

The soft yet durable bristles are designed to clean teeth gently while being comfortable on growing gums. If you’re looking for a toothbrush made with natural materials, this is a unique alternative to traditional plastic toothbrushes.

Best Electric Toothbrush for Kids

Burst Kids Electric Toothbrush

Price: $44.99
Age recommendation: 3 years+
Bristle material: PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) nylon infused with charcoal

I bought these electric toothbrushes for the kids after our dentist recommended them. We know electric toothbrushes get teeth cleaner, but oftentimes the brush heads are too big for little kids’ mouths. The Burst Kids electric toothbrush has smaller brush heads that are sized perfectly for little mouths!

We’ve been loving brushing with these. They come in 4 bright colors with wide grippy handles. There’s a two-minute timer on the brush that pauses every 30 seconds. This reminds your child to switch the area they’re brushing and move to the next!

Baby and Toddler Toothpaste

Baby and toddler toothpastes are specially formulated for little ones with gentle ingredients and kid-friendly flavors that help make brushing a positive experience. We prefer to use toothpastes made with hydroxyapatite, a naturally occurring mineral that helps support healthy teeth. Here are some of our favorite toothpaste options to help keep tiny teeth clean while encouraging healthy oral care habits.

RiseWell Kids Toothpaste

Price: $28.98 (also available here, use code “EATPLAYSAY10” to save 10%)
Flavor: Cake batter
Active ingredients: Micro and nano-hydroxyapatite and xylitol

This is the kids’ toothpaste we use and my littles love the cake batter flavor. I love that it uses effective ingredients and is safe to swallow. It also helps with teeth sensitivity.

Boka Kids Toothpaste

Price: $31.99 for variety pack of 3
Flavors: Orange cream, watermelon mint, strawberry mango
Active ingredients: Nano-hydroxyapatite and xylitol

This is another good option for kids toothpaste. It’s fluoride-free, SLS and sulfate-free, and the different fruity flavors are perfect for toddlers!

Flossers for Kids

Once two teeth start to touch, flossing should become a habit. Kid-friendly flossers add an element of fun for little ones, and they make it easy for parents to reach tight spaces. If you allow your child to floss on their own, always use supervision!

Piico Kids’ Flossers

Price: 240 for $19.99

These unflavored, unwaxed flossers have zero artificial flavors and come in colorful animal or dinosaur shapes.

The Humble Co. Kids Floss Picks

Price: 200 picks for $15.90

The Humble Co. is another company we like for kids toothbrushes and floss. These dino floss picks can make flossing more fun for littles.

Developing Healthy Oral Hygiene

Developing healthy oral hygiene habits in young children starts with making dental care a consistent part of their daily routine. Positive experiences early in life help littles build habits that can last a lifetime.

Healthy oral hygiene habits to build:

• Brush teeth twice a day for two minutes
• Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste (you don’t need a lot!)
• Floss once teeth begin touching
• Replace toothbrushes every 3–4 months or after an illness
• Visit the dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings

Kid-Friendly Talking Points

Help little ones understand why we brush our teeth

• To get the food and plaque off
• Prevent cavities
• Keep gums healthy
• Prevents bad breath
• Makes our teeth bright and shiny!

Talk about foods that help keep teeth strong

• Fruits and vegetables
• Milk and cheese
• Proteins
• Water instead of sugary drinks and juices
• The importance of moderation with snacks and sugary treats

Looking for more?

Learn more about when and how to brush your baby’s teeth with additional tips and tricks from our occupational therapist!

For more on oral development, learn more about when babies start teething and find our favorite teethers for babies and toddlers.