Just Say Cheese:
Kids Corner

Aired on Lifetime Television
Sunday, October 14 and December 2, 2007

Show 422

Your kids know how important it is to brush and floss twice a day. But it's up to you to make sure they do it correctly and with the right tools. Start taking care of your child's teeth even before he has any. After your child eats, gently rub his gums with a damp washcloth to get rid of bacteria. And to prevent tooth decay from milk or juice when those little teeth start to poke through, don't put baby to sleep with a bottle. When they're two or three, it's time to learn how to brush. Toothbrushes and toothpaste are different for kids than they are for adults. Your child should use a much smaller soft bristle brush and an enamel-saving toothpaste made for kids. A pea-size amount is just right. Brushing for at least three minutes at a time is recommended. So make it fun. Get the whole family to brush together and the time will fly by. Tooth decay happens faster in children, so brushing and flossing your child's teeth twice a day should become part of the daily routine. Younger kids can have a hard time maneuvering a toothbrush, so until they're eight years old, an adult should always help out. And until they're ten, supervise their flossing. Your kids learn by example. So by taking care of  your teeth, they'll also keep a healthy smile.