The sooner you start to encourage proper dental hygiene in your children, the easier it will be for them to develop good oral care habits. Tooth decay, or dental caries, is one of the most common types of chronic childhood diseases. In severe cases, tooth decay can become so bad that children will actually lose their teeth.The good news for parents is tooth decay and cavities are both preventable.
How Soon Should Oral Care Begin?
Most children will start to get their first teeth when they are between six and nine months old. By the time they are around age 3, many children have around 20 teeth. However, oral care should begin prior to your child ever developing their teeth.
From birth through about one year of age, you should already be cleaning your child’s gums twice a day – once in the morning after breakfast and again at night after their evening meal. To clean the gums you just use washcloth that has been dampened in water.
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