It is easier to learn good dental care habits than to break bad habits after the first cavity appears. Your early attention can help keep your child s teeth healthy for a lifetime. Most children begin life with healthy teeth. The primary teeth also reserve space in the jaw so that permanent teeth can assume their correct position when they begin erupting by age six or seven. That is why it is so important to take good care of your baby s primary teeth.
Teeth begin to come in, or erupt, around age six months.
By age three, most children have a full set of 20 primary teeth. As soon as the first tooth appears, begin wiping it and the child s gums after each feeding with a damp washcloth to remove plaque and prevent tooth decay. Then begin a routine of regular brushing. When he or she is able, help your child brush well with a very small amount of fluoride toothpaste. The fluoride combines with tooth enamel to help protect against tooth decay.