Clean your baby's gums with a clean, damp cloth or let them "chew" or teethe on a clean, damp cloth
	When the first tooth makes its grand appearance you can start brushing it with a small, soft toothbrush that has a tiny dab of fluoridated toothpaste
	Wean your child off the bottle by one year of age to prevent baby bottle tooth decay due to sucking on a bottle.  To much sucking on pacifiers, fingers or thumbs may cause their teeth to  become crooked
	Give them an infant toothbrush to teethe on
	Apple dental sealants to help prevent decay.  Sealants are clear protective coatings applied to the teeth in the back of the mouth where nearly 84% of childhood cavities occur.
	NEVER give your child a bottle of milk, juice, pop or sweetened drinks like Kool-Aid at bedtime or naptime.  If you must give them something to drink during these times use fluoridated water
	When your child is 12 months old, you can begin using a pea size dab of toothpaste.  Be sure to press the toothpaste into the bristles of their brush so they won't eat the toothpaste!

 

ALWAYS brush and floss at night, it is the most important time to brush because this is the time  their salivary flow is low which can lead to a higher risk of plaque formation.  Even better brush with them, the best learning can occur through watching

To many adults have oral health problems, and most can be traced to poor habits acquired in childhood*

	Let them brush their teeth first and you can do some follow-up brushing on the areas they miss.  Most children can brush their own teeth by age of five if they have had good brushing instructions by their parents and dentist
	Establish good oral health habits early.
	Let them pick out a favorite toothbrush and toothpaste to help motivate them to brush.
	When the gaps between your child's teeth close, it is important to start flossing.
	Keep children away from mouthwash, mouthwash ingestion by small children can be dangerous, even lethal.  Most mouthwashes contain alcohol, often 30% or more, and small children can not tolerate it due to their small size.
	Serve a as good role model by practicing good oral health care yourself.
	Check your child's mouth for any signs of gum disease, bleeding gums, swollen and bright red gums, or receding gums and bad breath.
	Make sure your child has a balanced diet.  Insufficient levels of calcium and vitamin C may make your child more susceptible to periodontal disease.
	Educate your child on the health risks of using tobacco products at a young age.*
	Check Your Child's Brushing Listerine has introduced Agent Cool Blue© mouth rinse.  It has a chemical in it that identifies the bacterial buildup that we call plaque.    Here’s how it works:  after brushing (and, for those old enough to do it,  flossing), you rinse with Agent Cool Blue.  Any area you missed will show a blue stain.  Brush and floss away the stain, and you get the areas you were missing.   If you suspect that your child is trying to pull a fast one on you by brushing quickly and poorly,  a surprise post-brushing inspection with Agent Cool Blue will reveal the truth.

Regular dental check-ups, beginning by the age of one, and preventive dental care will provide your child with "smile" insurance. 

 

	Routine dental exams uncover problems that can be treated in the early stages, when damage is minimal and restorations may be small.
	Visit A.G.D and learn about: Tot toothbrushes

Surgeon General's Report states: More than 51 million school hours are lost each year to dental related illnesses!