02/03/2025
6 key steps for keeping baby teeth cavity-free
* Even before your baby’s first teeth break through, gently wipe gums with a damp cloth or gauze pad after meals.
* As soon as baby teeth appear, gently brush them twice daily with a small, soft-bristled brush and a little fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice). You’ll need to brush your child’s teeth at first, gradually helping them learn how to brush as they grow.
* Once your child has two teeth that touch, use a strand of dental floss to clean in between. This helps remove leftover food between teeth and under gums.
* Between ages 3 and 6, teach your child how to brush and floss. Supervise to make sure they reach all their teeth, all sides (front, top and back). Just like adults, kids should brush twice daily for at least two minutes each time, using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Brushing in the morning and evening is usually best. Special picks or pre-threaded flossing tools can make flossing easier for little hands.
* Make sure your child drinks plenty of plain water. In most communities, water supplies have added fluoride to prevent tooth decay.
* Watch your child’s diet carefully. Cavity-causing bacteria feed on sugary foods and drinks, including ones you might think are healthy, such as fruit juice, baked goods and cereal bars made with honey or molasses.