Clean gums for clean teeth

     After each feeding, wipe your baby's gums with a clean gauze pad. At birth, your baby already has 20 primary teeth, some of which are almost completely formed in the jaw. Wiping the gums will remove the plaque and bacteria that can harm teeth as they erupt from the gums. Begin brushing with a soft toothbrush when the first tooth erupts.

Drinks for bedtime and nap time

     Never allow your child to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, fruit juice, or sweetened liquids. This can lead to baby bottle tooth decay. Instead, fill a bottle with cool water for your baby.

First dental visit

Take your child to the dentist by the child's first birthday. The dentist will check for decay and other possible problems and can show you how to properly clean your child's teeth.

Balanced diet

     Ensure that your child eats a balanced diet that contains a variety of foods from the five major food groups

• Breads, cereals, and other grain products
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Milk, cheese, and yogurt

Nutritious snacks

Provide nutritious snacks, such as cheese, raw vegetables and fruit, or plain yogurt. Limit the number of starchy or sugary snacks your child eats, because after a snack that contains sugars or starches, the teeth are attacked by acids for 20 minutes or more.

Daily brushing

Make sure that your child brushes at least twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste that has the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance. Set a good example by brushing your own teeth at least twice a day.

Daily flossing

Teach your child to clean between the teeth daily with floss. A parent should begin using floss on a child's teeth as soon as any two teeth touch.

Regular dental visits

Take your child to the dentist regularly. Children should know that the dentist is a friendly doctor who will help them take care of their teeth. Be positive and try to make dental visits an enjoyable experience for your child.