Infants should be introduced to the toothbrush around the age of one. A baby tooth cleanser should be used up to the age of 2.5 . Around the age of 2.5, a pea-sized drop of children's toothpaste can be applied to the toddler's brush. Brushing baby teeth can be quite a challenge for new parents. Some infants and toddlers may refuse to let parents brush their teeth.
Parents can experiment with various rewards for good behavior during brushing.
The initial tooth brushing attempts need to last only 5 seconds or so - and some little reward should be provided immediately thereafter. The time spent brushing the teeth can be gradually increased later on. By providing a healthy diet, minimizing the consumption of sweets, cleaning a child's teeth twice a day, and getting early dental examinations, a child can have a happy, healthy smile. An article in American Family Physician reviews the principles of infant oral health. On the Net Foundation License Pediatric Dental Health Content Pediatric Dental Health is not a substitute for diagnosis and treatment provided by a dentist.