1. Brush your teeth twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed.
2. Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. This helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line, that a toothbrush cannot reach.
3. Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
4. Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams. Need a dental referral? You may contact the HCDA or the West Coast District Dental Association - 813-931-3018.

Antimicrobial mouth rinses and toothpastes reduce the bacterial count and inhibit bacterial activity in dental plaque, which can cause gingivitis, an early, reversible form of gum disease. Fluoride mouth rinses help reduce and prevent tooth decay. Clinical studies have demonstrated that use of a fluoride mouth rinse and fluoride toothpaste can provide extra protection against tooth decay over that provided by fluoride toothpaste alone. Fluoride mouth rinse is not recommended for children age six or younger because they may swallow the rinse. Always check labels for precautions and age recommendations and talk with your dentist about the use of fluoride mouth rinse.

Your Babies Oral Health Care:

Your child should visit a dentist when the first tooth appears. Early examination and preventive care will help avoid problems in the future. You will want to avoid problems like baby bottle tooth decay or nursing caries - your child may risk severe decay from using a bottle during naps and at night or even when they nurse continously from the breast. To avoid baby bottle tooth decay you will want to encourage your child to drink from a cup as they approach their first birthday and most important, children should not fall asleep with a bottle. At-will breast-feeding should be avoided after the first primary (baby) teeth have erupted. Drinking juice from a bottle should also be avoided - it should be offered in a cup.

Start cleaning your child's gums starting at birth - use a soft infant toothbrush and water. You will have to continue this process until your child has the dexterity to handle toothbrushing. Unless advised by a dentist, do not use fluoridated toothpaste until around 2-3 years old.

Thumb sucking is normal for infants, but most stop by age 2. If your child has not stopped by age 2, it must be discouraged by age 4. Prolonged thumb sucking can created crowded, crooked teeth, or bite problems. Your dentist will be happy to assist you with suggestions to address a prolonged thumb sucking habit.

For teething episodes, many children enjoy a clean, cool teething ring or a cold, wet washcloth. Some children find relief by having their parents simply rub their gums with a clean finger.

For more information, on dental care topics ranging from "A-Z", please visit:
http://www.ada.org/public/topics/alpha.asp