Health Tip: Cleaning a Young Child's Teeth

(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.