When should you begin caring for your baby's teeth?.

a. As soon as the first tooth
comes in
b. At age two
c. As soon as you know you're pregnant

The answer is c.

A child's teeth begin to form very early in your pregnancy, and they need immediate care. Eating healthy foods while you're pregnant supplies the nutrients your baby needs for strong, healthy teeth to develop.

Once your baby is born, there are a number of steps you can take to help him or her develop good dental habits that will last a lifetime. Begin by wiping your baby's gums with a clean, damp washcloth after each feeding. Fluoride is something your baby needs from birth as well. If you don't have fluoridated water, talk to us about prescribing drops for your infant.

When your child's first tooth appears--usually one of the lower front teeth--clean it with a washcloth and continue wiping the gums as you have been. Baby teeth build up plaque just like adult teeth. Regular cleanings to remove this plaque can help prevent

early decay. As more teeth come in, it's time to begin brushing regularly with a soft toothbrush.

Baby bottle tooth decay can be a real problem for infants. Putting your baby to sleep with a bottle of formula or fruit juice may seem innocent enough, but the sugar in those liquids can cause damaging decay--especially in front teeth. If your child can't go to sleep without a bottle, fill one with cool water instead of juice or formula. Pacifiers are fine, but never dip one in anything sugary before giving it to your child.

Between ages two and three your child can begin to brush his or her own teeth in addition to the daily brushings you do. Put a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on the brush, since very young children tend to swallow paste.

Taste in food develops while a child is very young, so introduce fresh fruit and vegetables instead of sweet snacks. Training a child to choose nutritious foods in their formative years may lead to a healthy diet later in life.

Around your child's third birthday, it's time for a "get acquainted" visit at the dentist's office. He or she can watch you have your teeth checked and take a ride in the chair to begin to feel comfortable in the dental office. At the end of this visit, you might schedule your child's first dental exam.

By practicing a regimen of early home care, serving healthy foods, and scheduling regular professional cleanings and exams, you can raise a child with healthy gums and teeth that last a lifetime.

Bacteria are everywhere--even on your toothbrush. And, if they're on your toothbrush, they are also in your toothpaste. Why? Because the bristles of your brush touch the past remaining in the neck of the tube each time you use it.

How can you keep bacteria out of your toothpaste? Wipe the top of the tube with a tissue after each application of paste. Then throw the tissue away. To limit the number of germs on your brush, be sure to allow it to dry after each use. Keeping your workplace toothbrush in a portable holder in a desk drawer is convenient, but set it on a piece of tissue to dry before putting it away to cut back on the bacteria in the bristles.