The Tooth of the Matter: A Guide to Dental Health

How to keep your child’s teeth clean from infancy and beyond.

All About Teeth

Babies develop teeth between 6 and 12 months. Most children will usually have all of their baby teeth by age 3.

When your baby gets a tooth, brush twice a day with an infant toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. The toothpaste should be the size of a grain of rice.

Try to brush after the last drink or food of the day. Putting your baby to bed with a bottle can lead to tooth decay.

Make your baby’s first dental appointment after the first tooth appears and by his first birthday.

Once your child turns 3, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommend that a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste be used.

When your child is able, teach them to spit out the excess toothpaste. It is recommended you put the toothpaste on your child’s toothbrush until age 6 to help them brush.

Ways to Keep Teeth Healthy

Skip the sugary drinks. Fruit juice, soda and sweetened drinks aren’t good for your little one’s teeth. The AAP doesn’t recommend juice for babies younger than 12 months.

Some foods can cling to a child’s teeth, giving bacteria plenty of sugar to enjoy. Limit sticky fruits and treats, and have your kids brush or rinse with plain water after eating them.

Drink more water. Regular tap water, which usually contains fluoride to strengthen tooth enamel, is the healthiest drink for your child’s teeth. Drinking plenty of water cleanses your child’s mouth and helps maintain saliva flow, which washes away decay-causing bacteria.

Learn more about fluoride. Most kids get the fluoride they need from tap water and toothpaste. But you can ask your pediatrician or dentist about applying a fluoride varnish to your child’s teeth.

Resources: healthychildren.org; aapd.org

Products to Make You Smile

Doctor Plotka’s Youth Manual Toothbrush features silver-infused bristles to eliminate bacteria, viruses and fungi for cleaner brushing. The dual-layered flossing bristles are thinner to reach places other brushes miss. For ages 3-12. Available at mouthwatchers.com for $4.99.

Products from Made By Dentists will make healthy teeth easier for your kids. Featuring monsters, sharks, aliens and cheetahs, these rechargeable electric toothbrushes have a two-minute timer to encourage your kids to brush for the right amount of time. For ages 2 and older. The line also includes toothpaste and vinyl toys. Available at madebydentists.com for $14.99.

Keep kids’ teeth clean with the Willo AutoFlo+ Starter Kit. Use the brush to clean teeth, and the AutoFlo+ automatically rinses into the sink, making brushing mess-free. The kit comes with a Willo AutoFlo+, cleaning bottle, brush head, lip rest, toothpaste, bottle cap and straw. For ages 5-13. Available at willo.com for $249.