Oral health for pregnancy and new babies - Oral health for new babies

Breast feeding is recommended for babies. Further information is available at on the NHS website.

Signs of teething can begin from 3 months, with sore red gums, flushed cheeks and dribbling. Teeth may appear around 6 months of age and you can start brushing their teeth. Brush your baby’s teeth last thing before bed and one other time in the day, using only a smear of toothpaste. 

When weaning, avoid sugar where you can. Anything other than milk or water in a bottle can lead to tooth decay. For advice on healthy eating for teeth, visit link to the oral health advice for parents and carers page.

If a dummy is to be used, choose an orthodontic dummy and never dip into anything sweet. Should I give my little one a dummy?  

Start using a free-flow cup from 6 months old and try to get rid of the bottle and dummy by baby’s first birthday.  

Using a dummy for too long can cause teeth to be pushed out of place, so top and bottom teeth do not meet properly, causing speech and eating problems.  

Remember NHS dental treatment is free for you during pregnancy and following the birth, and free for your baby, so if you haven’t recently seen the dentist, make an appointment soon.

Help with finding a dentist in Wales is available through NHS 111 Wales – Services Near You: Dental Helplines.

Page last reviewed: 8th October 2025