When should you start brushing your kid's teeth? As soon as they appear.
Start cleaning out a baby's mouth even before any teeth appear using a wet washcloth. Tooth decay -- although largely preventable with good care -- is one of the most common chronic diseases of children and teens ages 6 to 19. By kindergarten, more than 40% of kids have cavities.
Your child should see a dentist by his first birthday. Early preventive care saves money in the long run. A CDC report found that dental care costs were nearly 40% lower over a 5-year period for children who saw a dentist by age 5.
Brushing is crucial from the get-go. Even before your baby has teeth, you can gently brush her gums. Use water on a baby toothbrush, or clean them with a soft washcloth.
When teeth appear, brush twice daily with an infant toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste. Start flossing when two teeth touch each other. Ask your dentist about techniques and schedules.
Brush and floss just before bedtime. No food or drink, except water, until the next morning.
Many parents think juice is a healthy daylong choice for a beverage, but that's not the case. It has been linked to childhood obesity and tooth decay.
Limit kids to no more than 4 ounces a day of 100% fruit juice, and restrict sugary drinks and foods to mealtimes.
A sippy cup helps kids move from a bottle to a regular cup. Many kids keep the cup with them all day. "Prolonged use of a sippy cup," Largent says, "can cause decay on the back of the front teeth," if the beverages are sugary.
Pacifiers used in the first year of life may actually help prevent sudden infant death syndrome. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests using a pacifier when putting your infant to sleep but not reinserting once baby drifts off. Long-term use can affect how the top and bottom teeth line up (the "bite") or can affect the shape of the mouth.