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Healthy teeth are important to your child’s overall health. From the time your child is born, there are things you can do to promote healthy teeth. For babies, you should clean teeth with a soft, clean cloth or baby’s toothbrush. Avoid putting the baby to bed with a bottle and check teeth regularly for spots or stains.

1.For all children, you should
2.Schedule regular dental check-ups
3.Provide low-fat milk and dairy products high in calcium
5.Provide healthy foods and limit sweet snacks and drinks
6.Brush teeth with a fluoride toothpaste

Forming good habits at a young age can help your child have healthy teeth for life.

Establish brushing as a daily routine as soon as your child gets her first teeth. It is good practice to brush them twice a day, in the morning, and before she goes to bed at night.

Gradually teach your child to brush her own teeth, but be there to supervise her at all times.

Teach your baby to spit out the toothpaste after brushing. At least until your child learns to do this, use a fluoride-free toothpaste that is meant for infants.

Ensure that your child eats a healthy diet. Include plenty of calcium-rich foods such as milk and cheese; calcium plays an important role in fortifying the teeth and bones.

Sugar intake affects the acid level in the mouth, making teeth more vulnerable for about half an hour. Brushing teeth half an hour after a sugary treat helps to protect the teeth better. Also, ration the amount of sugar in your child’s diet.

Encourage your child to develop a taste for healthy and natural snacks such as fruits and nuts, instead of sugary and starchy foods. One way to do this is to set an example yourself.

Ensure that your child has regular dental check ups

Proper dental care begins even before a baby’s first tooth appears. Remember that just because you can’t see the teeth doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Teeth actually begin to form in the second trimester of pregnancy. At birth your baby has 20 primary teeth, some of which are fully developed in the jaw.

Running a damp washcloth over your baby’s gums following feedings can prevent buildup of damaging bacteria. Once your child has a few teeth showing, you can brush them with a soft child’s toothbrush or rub them with gauze at the end of the day.