(HealthDay News) -- Oral care is important even for newborns, long before a child's first tooth emerges.
The American Dental Association mentions these oral-care tips for infants and young children:
Starting within a few days after birth, gently wipe baby's gums clean with a clean and moist washcloth or gauze pad.
Once teeth appear, gently brush them with a child-sized toothbrush and some water.
Once your child is older than 2 years, brush with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste. Make sure your child spits out the toothpaste.
When your child has two teeth that touch, floss the teeth each day.
Continue to brush your child's teeth twice daily until you're sure he or she can brush without help.