Good Dental Habits: It’s never too early to start Published Feb. 24, 2014 By Capt. Renee Moran 325th Aerospace Medicine Squadron TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- As many parents can attest, raising children is n0t always easy and can be very time consuming. However, with a little extra time and effort up front, the results down the road can be very rewarding. This relationship also applies to your children's dental health. No one said brushing children's teeth was easy, but your efforts early on will almost surely pay off with a lifetime of good oral hygiene and fewer dental visits. A tooth is at risk for decay as soon as it appears in the mouth. One of the most common risk factors for Early Childhood Caries, also known as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, is prolonged contact with sugary liquids. In young children, this exposure is most likely seen when a baby is put to bed with a bottle full of juice, milk or formula, which all contain sugar. As the baby falls asleep with the bottle, the liquid can pool in their mouth and bathe their teeth in sugar for hours. Infants and toddlers should be encouraged to finish their bottles before bed and then have their teeth brushed as part of their bedtime routine before falling asleep. It is never too early to start introducing good oral habits to your child. Even before any teeth are visible, use a soft wet cloth to rub your baby's gums as part of their daily routine. This act will not only get them used to having their mouth cleaned, but it also allows you to feel for any emerging teeth as soon as they erupt through the gums. The American Dental Association has recently changed their guidelines and now recommends parents use a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice, to brush baby teeth twice a day as soon as the teeth present themselves. And yes, if your child is lucky enough to have teeth that touch, they need to be flossed as well. Visit a dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings to make sure that your child's mouth is healthy and to catch any problems as early as possible. The ADA recommends scheduling a "well-baby visit" within six months of the child's first tooth appearing, but no later than their first birthday. Make brushing and flossing a fun part of your child's daily routine. Two minutes, twice a day can save your child from severe tooth pain later. Healthy children grow into healthy adults, so start forming good habits with them today by developing a balanced diet, practicing proper oral hygiene, and visiting your dentist regularly.