Although all children will start to lose their first set of teeth (milk teeth) by the time they are six years old, it is important that they dont' lose them too early. They are saving a space for the second teeth to come down neatly into position! They also help speech development.
Overuse of bottles and dummies, or even drinking too much fruit juice, can contribute to premature milk tooth loss or decay, just as well as a bad diet can.
Additionally, getting your child into the habit of brushing - even if this isn't the rigorous three-minute adult workout - is important from the start.
When should a child start brushing his teeth?
You can start cleaning their very first teeth as soon as they appear. Do this after meals and before they go to sleep for the night. You can use a very soft brush (first toothbrushes are very soft and should only be used until they start to fray) or just a clean piece of simple fabric. You do not need to use toothpaste at first, just water.
Letting him take control
Your young toddler will probably be happy to have a go at brushing himself within a few months of his first teeth appearing. At first you may still need to do a secondary job of it, but try to do this tactfully so he feels he is doing something right.
If you want to use a toothpaste now, using it sparingly and buy a children's toothpaste. (Colgate and Mcleans do them.) Try to buy a flavour which isn't pretending to be a pudding or sweets as your child should get used to this process being about cleaning rather than having dessert!
It might be useful for you to sometimes brush your teeth at the same time, to set an example, as he is unlikely to think about doing the back teeth as well as the front ones.
Going to the dentist
Although your child is unlikely to need fillings or treatment until the second teeth come in, it is useful to get your child into the culture of going to the dentist.
It is good to get into the habit of going (just for a once-a-year visit) somewhere between his second and third birthday, so that at first these check-ups are just routine examinations without any horrible experiences of action being taken!
