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Oral care isn't only for teeth - Wipe gums twice a day with a soft, clean cloth in the morning after the first feeding and right before bed. This way you'll wipe away bacteria and sugars that can cause cavities.

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Know that baby teeth are important -

Primary teeth or baby teeth are important in helping children speak normally and chew naturally. It's therefore also crucial to take proper care of them.

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Start early -

With that said, parents should typically begin cleaning their child's teeth as soon as they start erupting.

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Early dental care -

When teeth come in, start brushing twice a day with a soft, small‑bristled toothbrush and plain water. Make sure to visit the dentist by their first birthday to spot any problems.

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Careful with the bottle of milk -

Toddlers should avoid falling asleep with a bottle of milk to help reduce the risk of tooth decay. Brush their teeth before bed, and, instead, give them a bottle of water. 

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Lead by example -

When it comes to young children, they mimic everything they see their parents do, and that includes brushing your teeth. Let them in on it and verbalize what you're doing.

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Play some fun dental games -

From Crazy Dentist to Popstar Dentist and Dentist Doctor, there are several dentist games available to play online or to download on your device.

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Get creative -

Another fun way to educate your little one is to encourage them to brush their stuffed toys' teeth, and tell them why it's important to do so.

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Do the dental dance -

Make brushing fun with special songs about healthy teeth, or even just favorite tunes to listen to while brushing. Music can also help them time how long they should brush.

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Read them books about teeth and visiting the dentist -

Prepare them for an upcoming dental visit by reading them a dental story, such as 'The Tooth Book' (1981) by Dr. Seuss.

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Don't forget to floss -

Flossing cleans where the toothbrush can't, and kids need to learn this early on. Removing food particles between teeth every day helps prevent cavities, bad breath, and, most importantly, gum disease.

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Use duplo blocks to teach them how to floss -

This is a fun way to teach them the importance of flossing. Stick play-doh around the blocks and the base, aka the teeth, and ask your child to remove it using floss. Explain how important it is to remove particles from between the teeth and along the gum line.

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Make regular dental appointments -

Making dental checkups a regular affair is an excellent way to promote good dental health. Visit the dentist every six months to ensure healthy teeth.

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Reward good dental habits -

Teach children that good dental care pays off. Consider giving gold stars for kids who brush twice a day, floss, etc.

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Teach proper brushing time -

The ideal brushing time is two minutes for both kids and adults. You could brush for longer if you'd like, but this is the minimum for healthy teeth and gums.

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Use a sand timer -

Teach your child how to brush for two minutes with a two-minute sand timer. Let your child start and end the timer to make brushing more fun.

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Let them pick their toothbrush -

There are many fun, colorful children’s toothbrushes on the market, so your kid will certainly find one they'll like. This will make them more invested in tooth-brushing.

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Get them a good toothbrush -

When your kid picks their toothbrush, make sure to get one that fits small hands as well. It needs to be fun, but also practical.

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Let them pick a tasty toothpaste -

Adults may love a minty fresh breath, but that's not what most kids like. Luckily, there are quite a few taste options to choose from, such as watermelon, berry, or even bubblegum flavors. Let them pick their favorite!

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Make sure the toothpaste has fluoride -

In small doses, fluoride strengthens tooth enamel against acids created by the bacteria in your mouth. Make sure your kid's toothpaste has it.

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Teach the right technique -

Help your child brush their teeth at least twice a day, especially after breakfast and before bedtime. Teach them that it’s important to clean all teeth, not just those in front, using short, gentle strokes. And pay special attention to back teeth and along the gum line.

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Encourage healthy eating -

Sugary snacks like chocolate, candy, and ice cream can lead to major oral health concerns for children and adults alike. Therefore, it's important to instill healthy eating habits from an early age.

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Use egg cartons to demonstrate which foods are healthy -

You can demonstrate this by using an egg carton, which you'll cut into a tooth. Give it to your child and ask them to choose snacks from a list of healthy and unhealthy options. If they select healthy food, use a dry-erase marker to color a circle on the tooth. But if they choose unhealthy food, use a permanent black marker. Then give them a toothbrush and ask them to brush away the food circles. Also, explain that the unhealthy foods are hard to brush away and harm their teeth.

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Serve water between meals and at bedtime -

To decrease the negative impact that sugary drinks have on baby teeth, children should drink natural water between meals and at bedtime.

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Make sure they get braces when needed -

As kids get older, they might reach an age when they need braces. And as they're not a toddler anymore, they'll need to take some responsibility for themselves. It’s likely to take some patience, but it can be a learning opportunity for parents as well.

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Understand the risk factors for cavities -

The chances of your kid getting cavities is higher when family members have them, they eat a lot of sugar, and/or if they wear braces. If any of these apply to your child, be sure to talk with your dentist, to make sure you're taking the right steps to protect your child’s teeth.

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Combating dental anxiety -

Teaching children good dental habits can help combat dental anxiety, which usually arises from bad experiences and negative dental stories.

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Prevention is better than cure -

Giving your child a good start with their dental health will minimize the risk of dental conditions, such a decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. Good habits will then reduce their chance of needing complex, costly, and painful dental treatments.

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Remember that dentists are here to help -

At the end of the day, dentists are trained and qualified to help people achieve their best oral health. When good habits are formed early in children, it helps create positive feelings surrounding dentists and dental health.

Sources: (CDC) (University of Illinois Chicago)

See also: Surprising facts about teeth you probably didn’t know

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