Protect Your Baby's Smile SATURDAY, March 6 (HealthDay News) --
The best way to give your children's teeth a healthy start is to
begin dental care early in life, and the American Dental
Association has tips for keeping kids' teeth in tip-top shape: -
Visit the dentist for regular checkups. Set up an appointment
within six months of the eruption of a child's first tooth, but
no later than the first birthday. Routine exams, cleanings and
fluoride treatments can catch problems early before they get
worse and require significant care. - Guard against tooth decay
by clearing your baby's mouth within a few days of birth and
wiping your baby's gums with a damp washcloth or gauze pad after
every feeding. This will help remove plaque. - Don't allow your
child to breast-feed for long periods of time. Tooth decay can
develop if you allow your baby to nap or sleep at night with a
bottle of milk, formula, sugar water or fruit juice. - Encourage
your child to drink from a cup by age 1. - Discourage frequent
use of a traini