• Teeth should be brushed 2 times daily for approximately 2 minutes each time, brush in the morning and especially before bedtime
  
  
• Always use a soft bristled toothbrush
  
  
• Encourage children to brush their own teeth, but parents should assist with and supervise brushing until a child is 7 or 8 years of age, as children often lack the manual dexterity required to do a thorough job.
  
  
• Toothpaste with fluoride should be used and only a very tiny amount. Have your child spit the excess toothpaste out.
  
  
• Please supervise your child to ensure proper brushing and safety.
  
  
• Once all primary (baby) teeth have erupted a child's teeth should be flossed once daily.

Resource Links:

• Baby Oral Health: Pregnancy through Childhood
  
  The University of Toronto has released an online video "Baby Oral Health: Pregnancy through Childhood." Intended for new parents and parents and caregivers of young children, it was designed to answer questions that are most frequently asked regarding a child's oral health. Health units may find the video (or parts of it) useful for use in parent/caregiver education activities.
  
  
• Ontario Association for Public Health Dentistry
  
  
• Dental Care for Children - The Canadian Dental Association