As a parent, you have a big role to play in keeping your child's teeth healthy and clean. You can help prevent cavities. Prevention starts at home, with good eating habits and daily cleaning of the teeth. Proper care for primary teeth and new permanent teeth is an important step for every parent.
What age should a child start brushing their teeth?
At first, just wet the toothbrush. At around age 1, you can start using a pea-sized amount of a non-fluoridated toothpaste. Wait to introduce fluoride toothpaste until your child is at least 2 years old. Brush gently all around your child's baby teeth -- front and back. Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste, with supervision, until around age 5.
What age should kids start going to the dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that a child go to the dentist by age 1 or within six months after the first tooth erupts. I would recommend that you take your child to his first dentist appointment within about six months of his first tooth's arrival. Primary teeth typically begin growing in around 6 months of age. If, however, your kid's teeth are obviously discolored — you'll probably want to take him to the dentist sooner rather than later. Importance of primary teeth not recognized.