Young children should develop good oral health habits around age 5 or 6 when their first molars come in. Make sure your child is cleaning his or her teeth thoroughly.

PROPER BRUSHING TECHNIQUE: Brush the front and back of each tooth. Hold the toothbrush at a slight angle and put the edge of the brush where the teeth and gums meet. Brush the chewing surface of every tooth. Hold the toothbrush on top of the tooth and use small, short strokes in a gentle motion. Brush the backs of the front teeth with your brush in a vertical position and move the bristles up and down.
Choose good toothpaste! As with all foods and oral hygiene products, you should be aware of the ingredients before you place them in your mouth. Ensure your oral care products do not contain preservatives, artificial flavorings or animal ingredients.

PROPER FLOSSING TECHNIQUE: Dental floss cleans between teeth, where your toothbrush can't reach. Tear off a piece of dental floss about 18” long. Wrap the floss around the middle fingers of each of each hand and hold the floss between your thumbs and forefingers. Wrap the floss around each tooth in the shape of a “C”. Then slide the floss up and down along each side of every tooth. After flossing, rinse with a mouthwash to remove any debris. Look for a mouthwash that fights bad breath without using any harmful sugar or alcohol.

REGULAR DENTAL CHECK-UPS: Don’t wait until it hurts or it is probably too late! Remember, the best dentistry is no dentistry at all! Check your gums for any sign of gum disease such as red, puffy, or bleeding gums.