Baby dental Care is a important issue for you. As a parent, you want to make your child understand the importance of dental hygiene. However, you need not wait until your child is old enough to brush and floss. Ideally, you could begin this process even before your baby cuts the first tooth. Dentists advise initiating your baby to a dental care routine by gently cleaning the gums even before primary teeth start erupting.

Early dental care also helps to guard against baby bottle-tooth decay. This condition occurs in babies who are put to bed with a bottle in their mouth. The sugar in the milk (or juice) contains micro-organisms that attack your baby's teeth. Baby bottle-tooth decay can be quite severe in some children.

Follow these techniques to give your baby an early start on preventive dental care:

• Select a time when your baby is in a co-operative mood. Active co-operation is important, as it will ensure good results.
• Wipe the gums with clean gauze wrapped around your finger; this is sufficient for the proper care of gums at this stage.
• Begin flossing as soon as your baby cuts two adjacent teeth.
• Ensure that your baby does not go to sleep with a bottle of milk, juice, or other sugar containing liquids.
• Early initiation will help your child develop the right attitude toward dental hygiene.