Start your infant's home care routine as soon as you come home from the hospital by wiping his or her gums with a wet gauze pad. Once teeth have erupted, brush his teeth at least twice a day with a soft toothbrush, and floss daily. Ask your dentist when to start using fluoride toothpaste and how much to use. If your child can't rinse or gags easily, you can brush with a fluoride rinse, which can improve your child's defenses against tooth decay. Only do this with older children.
Serving nutritious meals and restricting sugary or starchy foods can help baby teeth develop properly and limit exposure to the decay that causes acid attacks. Keep healthy snacks in the house, and save special sweet treats for during meal time. Brush your child's teeth after eating or have him drink or rinse with water to neutralize the acids from those sugary foods.