Fluoride toothpaste is important, too. However, Dr. Hanes says children should brush their teeth with a small amount of toothpaste. Dr. Hanes also encourages parents to check to make sure children are properly brushing their teeth and to halt all snacks after the final brushing just before bedtime. She says parents can help keep their children's teeth healthy by limiting the amount of sugary snacks they eat by substituting candies and cookies with popcorn, pretzels and cheese. These snacks don't have a lot of sugar and are less likely to cause acid buildup, which can lead to tooth decay.
Prevention begins at an early age.