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5 Tooth-Truths for Parents

Author: Smile Charlotte Team

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As parents, our children’s health and happiness is our top priority. The American Dental Association provides a list of “tooth-truths”1 to help educate parents and caregivers on the essentials to taking care of their children’s teeth.

1. 1. The ADA notes teeth usually begin erupting between 6 and 12 months of age, and as soon as teeth begin to appear, they should be brushed with a fluoride toothpaste.
   2. Children younger than three need a “smear of toothpaste” (like a grain of rice), while children three or older can use “a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.”
   3. Parents should brush their child’s teeth twice a day until they are comfortable their child can brush on his or her own.  We recommend parents help their children with their home care through age 8 or longer.
   4. Parents also should floss between “any teeth that touch.  We like to see children around age 1 or 2 so we can review home care instructions with parents and help them understand what will happen over the next few years.
   5. First cleaning appointments occur around age 3.
   6. In addition, the ADA states “drinking water with fluoride…has been shown to reduce cavities by 25 percent.”