When to See the Dentist
A child’s first dentist visit should occur around a child’s 1st birthday.
Teeth Brushing Tips
Start brushing a child’s teeth twice a day as soon as the first tooth erupts.
Always use fluoride toothpaste. Use a smear/grain sized amount of toothpaste on a soft toothbrush for children under three, and a pea-sized amount after 3 years old.
Once a child is capable of spitting out the toothpaste, encourage them to spit it out after use but do not rinse with water. It is a good thing to leave a thin layer of fluoride on the teeth for cavity protection (this goes for all ages, adults too!).
A child often does not have the fine motor skills to brush their own teeth until they are around 8-10 years old. Before then an adult should be brushing their teeth to ensure a job well done.
When to Start Flossing
Start flossing teeth as soon as the child has any teeth that are touching each other. This is often around 2-3 years of age.
Other Ways to Protect Kids’ Teeth
Don’t put your child to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, or breast milk. This causes the sugars in these beverages to accumulate on the teeth overnight which leads to cavities.
Limit sugary drinks and sugary/sticky foods.