According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, parents should take their babies to the pediatric dentist as soon as the baby’s first tooth erupts. Cleaning the mouth should start at birth and be more frequent once the teeth have appeared. Participating in early dental care and dental cleaning will help protect children’s teeth.

A baby’s gums can be cleaned with a soft cloth dampened with water or a soft-bristled baby toothbrush. Once your baby’s teeth grow in, brushing should be done twice a day with an appropriately sized soft toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride. If the child is less than two years old, only a small amount of toothpaste should be used. A pea-sized drop of toothpaste should be used with children ages two to five.

Since very young children often do not have the motor skills necessary to brush their teeth properly, parents should supervise the process. This supervision may be necessary until the child is about six years old. Parents can make the toothbrushing process a fun game by using colored toothpastes that highlight areas the child missed during brushing.

Dental problems like baby bottle tooth decay can happen very early and once a baby stops nursing, any visible teeth are at risk for cavities. This is one of the reasons why it is important to start dental visits at a very young age. Parents should do a regular inspection of their infant or toddler’s mouth to make sure nothing seems unusual.

Proper dental care for babies includes cleaning gums from birth, brushing teeth as soon as they begin to show, and beginning regular dental visits as soon as the baby has their first tooth. Parents will need to help young children with tooth brushing until young children can do it properly on their own. If adults are vigilant about proper dental care for babies and children, there are likely to be fewer dental problems in later years.