Written by Dr. Avani Gandhi, this post walks through four pillars of pediatric dental care: brushing, flossing, fluoride, and sealants.
Brushing: start the habit as soon as kids wake up, ideally brushing alongside them so they can model the behavior. Use a soft-bristle brush; once a child can spit reliably, use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste, or a rice-grain-sized amount if they still swallow it. A consistent brushing pattern -- starting in the same spot and following the same order every time -- helps make sure every surface, including the gumline, gets covered.
Flossing: removes plaque and food between teeth that brushing alone can't reach, and helps with bad breath. The habit can be started even before a child's teeth are touching.
Fluoride: recommended in toothpaste from the start (not just once a child can spit), per the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the practice. A rice-grain amount is recommended for children two and under (safe if swallowed, though encouraging the child to let it drip out is best), moving to a pea-sized amount around age two. A fluoride application may also be recommended during cleanings. Parents can check their local water fluoridation levels through the CDC's My Water's Fluoride tool.
Sealants: molars are especially prone to cavities because their chewing surfaces have more pits and grooves that are harder for a toothbrush to clean, and because they do the most work chewing. The practice typically applies sealants around ages 6 and 12. The post cites a July 2017 Cochrane Collaboration report finding a 51% reduction in cavity prevalence among children whose teeth were sealed.