Children’s dental health is an area where parents often have questions. Children’s Medical Center of Dallas offers the following tips to encourage good dental health: Many experts recommend that children have their first dental appointments by the age of 1, or six months after the eruption of the first tooth. And, any child with an obvious malformation or genetic disorder should be examined in the early months of life. An infant’s teeth should be cleaned with any of the wide variety of infant brushes available or even a wet, clean washcloth. Spin and electric toothbrushes are fine for kids. “If they get more excited about using those, then buy them,” says Dianna Prachyl, clinical manager of the Acton Center for Pediatric Dentistry at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. “What we want is to encourage good dental habits.” Toothpaste is not necessary, although if it’s used, children need only a light smear. When selecting toothpaste or gum cleaner, look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. If your children are getting their water from the city water supply, no additional fluoride is needed for healthy teeth. However, if your children are drinking bottled water, consider buying a type that is fluoridated, or check with your pediatric dentist about using a fluoride supplement. Unless directed otherwise by your pediatric dentist, your children do not need over-the-counter fluoride rinses or mouth rinses. If your child develops swelling in the mouth or face, call your pediatrician or pediatric dentist immediately; the swelling could be indicative of a dental infection. Broken teeth or any other trauma to the mouth should mean an immediate trip to the dentist’s office. If any of your child’s teeth are knocked out whole, the tooth ideally should be placed back in the socket. If this is not possible, place the tooth in milk and go immediately to your pediatric dentist. Everyone’s teeth should be brushed at least twice a day, and everyone should have two dental checkups each year. Both baby and permanent teeth begin developing in utero. Baby teeth begin to be replaced by permanent teeth at ages 5 to 7. However, children can retain some of their baby teeth well into their teen-age years. “That’s why it’s important to keep their baby teeth healthy,” Prachyl says. The germs that cause cavities are generally passed from caregiver to baby very soon after birth. Studies show that the poorer the caregiver’s dental health, the more cavities a child is likely to have. Dental health is aided by a healthy, balanced diet. Germs in the mouth proliferate through a high-sugar diet, so cut down on the amount of soda and juice your children consume. Dental caries – a form of tooth decay often called “baby bottle caries”– is seen in children ages 2 to 4. Do not put children to bed with milk or juice, as this causes dental caries and accelerates the growth of germs overnight. Diet drinks are not much better than sugared drinks when it comes to dental health. “The acid in most diet drinks demineralizes the teeth,” Prachyl says. Finally, dental decay is a long, slow process and may not be noticeable to parents until a tooth breaks. Early intervention is the best strategy for keeping teeth healthy.