My 3-year-old son is learning to do many things all by himself. I wonder if it's the right time to have him start brushing his teeth.
– Mike
Good dental care starts even before a child's first tooth comes in. Running a damp washcloth over a baby's gums daily will help clear away harmful bacteria. Parents can brush kids' teeth as they come in with an infant toothbrush, using water without toothpaste.
A pea-sized amount of toothpaste may be used with supervision around age 2 or 3, when kids are able to spit it out. The American Dental Association recommends that kids start seeing a dentist by their first birthday.
For more information, check out these articles:
Keeping Your Child's Teeth Healthy
Mouth and Teeth
Teething Tots
Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: October 2006
Originally reviewed by: Neil Izenberg, MD
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