You want to start cleaning a child’s teeth when the first tooth is visible, because teeth are susceptible to decay as soon as they appear in the mouth.  Wipe the baby’s teeth and gums clean after every feeding with a soft, damp wash cloth.

Be mindful of BBS (“baby bottle syndrome.”) with is a leading cause of tooth decay among young children. When an infant is allowed to drink from a nursing bottle containing milk, formula or fruit juice during nap time or at night, the baby often falls asleep with the bottle in his or her mouth.

Exposure to the sugars and acids in these liquids that pool around the teeth can cause discoloration and tooth decay.  Make sure to clean your child’s teeth after each feeding and, if necessary, give him or her a bottle filled only with water at bedtime or during a nap.