Caring for children’s teeth Published May 23, 2013 By Tech. Sgt. Marylyn Bergmann 6th Dental Squadron registered dental hygienist MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- How early should tooth care start? By the time your baby has at least two teeth that touch each other, usually around 6 months, their teeth need to be cleaned twice a day. Parents often underestimate the importance of brushing baby teeth; which sets the decay pattern for the adult mouth. In fact, about 25 percent of 3-year-old children have tooth decay. Tools for the task For a brighter future, use the right tools to brush children's teeth. Infants' mouths are sensitive, so a cloth to rub the gums and teeth should be used. For toddlers and young children choose a brush with a small head and soft bristles. Use a tiny amount - about the size of a grain of rice - of toothpaste which does not contain fluoride until the child can spit it all out. Swallowing too much fluoride can cause unsightly white spotting of adult teeth. At first, a parent should brush the child's teeth. At around 3 years old, children may begin to brush their own teeth with assistance from a parent. Until children reach the age of 6 or 7, they will not have the motor skills to maneuver the brush alone. Be thorough Using a circular motion, clean all surfaces of the teeth and gum line with a toothbrush and toothpaste. If a dentist suggests it, have children chew "disclosing tablets" (after they have brushed) which dye plaque and highlight missed areas. Make sure to use floss once a day. Simple brushing only accounts for cleaning 60 percent of the mouth; the other 40 percent is in between the teeth, where most cavities start. Talk to a dentist for more information. If your child has not had a dental examination, schedule a well-baby checkup for their teeth. The American Dental Association says that it is beneficial for the first dental visit to occur within six months of the appearance of the first tooth, and no later than the child's first birthday.