Health Tip: Starting a Tooth Brushing Routine Early

Tooth brushing should begin in infancy to instill lifelong habits and protect teeth throughout adulthood.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests:

Start practicing oral hygiene as soon as your baby is born by wiping baby’s gums with a soft, clean washcloth.
Never give your baby a bottle in the crib.
Choose healthy solids when introducing food to avoid tooth decay.
Brush a child’s teeth until the age of 3. Twice daily, use a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice.
Children age 3 and older may be able to brush teeth themselves with adult supervision. Twice daily, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.

Source: HealthDay