Here are four recommendations for keeping children in good dental health.

• Start cleaning teeth early

  As the first tooth appears, begin cleaning by wiping with a clean, damp cloth every day. When more teeth come in, switch to a small, soft toothbrush. Begin using toothpaste with fluoride when the child is two years old. Use toothpaste with fluoride earlier if your child's doctor or dentist recommends it. [More information on keeping a baby's teeth healthy.]

  
  

• Use the right amount of fluoride toothpaste

  Fluoride is important in fighting cavities. But if children younger than six years swallow too much fluoride, their teeth may have white spots. To keep this from happening, use only a small amount of toothpaste (about the size of a pea). Teach your child to spit out the toothpaste and to rinse well after brushing. [More information on fluoride.]

  
  

• Supervise brushing

  Brush your child's teeth twice a day until your child has the skill to handle the toothbrush alone. Then, continue to closely watch brushing to make sure your child is doing a thorough job and using only a small amount of toothpaste.

  
  

• Talk to your child's doctor or dentist

  Check with the doctor or dentist about your child's specific fluoride needs. After age two, most children get the right amount of fluoride to help prevent cavities if they drink water that contains fluoride and brush their teeth with a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste twice a day.

  Parents of children over the age of six months should ask about the need for a fluoride supplement if drinking water does not have enough fluoride. Also, do not let a child younger than six years old use a fluoride mouth rinse unless the child's doctor or dentist recommends it.

Also see this Dental Sealants FAQ.

Thanks to everyone who has submitted input. I'm sorry to say I'm not updating this Dental FAQ site anymore. --Webmaster

This child dental care information is edited from material published by the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, last updated in September 2002.

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