2nd Dental Squadron answers common questions for oral hygiene during National Children's Dental Published Feb. 18, 2014 By Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr. 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Here are some common questions/answers parents may have in reference to their child's dental health. Q: How old should my child be when I take them to the dentist for the first time? A: The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend bringing your child for their first dental visit between 6 to 12 months. Q: At what age should I be looking for erupting teeth in my child's mouth? A: Your child's first tooth should erupt around 6 to 7 months. Your child should have 20 baby teeth by age 2. Q: Why is it important to clean baby teeth when they are going to fall out anyway? A: Baby teeth are important because they allow for a proper diet, jaw growth, giving the face its form and appearance, assisting in the formation of proper speech, and most important, acting as space savers for adult teeth. Cavities in babies' teeth can lead to pain, infections, malnutrition and premature loss of teeth, which can affect the development of permanent teeth. Q: Why does my child need fluoride? A: Fluoride is a mineral that provides cavity protection by strengthening the outer surface of the tooth known as enamel. Many types of toothpaste contain fluoride. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends waiting until your child is 2-years old to use fluoridated toothpaste. Too much fluoride at a young age can lead to fluorosis, which causes white, yellow or brown spots on your child's teeth. Q: What causes cavities? A: Dental decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Cavities are formed by acid, which is produced by bacteria in the mouth when the bacteria are exposed to carbohydrates, especially sugar. Acidic drinks can also cause cavities. Bacteria can also be transferred from parents to infants, so it's also important for parents to have regular dental checkups. Q: Flossing is overrated, right? A: Flossing is one of the best ways to keep the teeth and gums healthy. Children should start flossing when their teeth come in contact with each other. Your general dentist or pediatric dentist can offer great ideas to encourage flossing your child's teeth. Q: I'm afraid my kid would cry too much in a dentist's chair. What should I do? A: Make the visit to the dentist a positive experience. If the parents are fearful, this can be transferred to the child. Dentists are taught behavior management techniques. But, if these are not successful, other tools may need to be used such as laughing gas. Your dentist can usually manage treatment and get what's necessary completed. Q: Should I be concerned if my child sucks on his or her thumb all day? A: Thumb sucking and other oral habits like pacifiers for example, can disrupt normal teeth eruption patterns and cause more significant problems down the road. Your dentist would be happy to assess the situation and offer solutions to stop the potential harmful habits if needed. Q: How should I clean my child's teeth? A: A toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles will work great for removing plaque and bacteria. The teeth should be cleaned twice a day, at least once preferably at bedtime. The amount of toothpaste to use is also important. If your child is younger than 2-years old, use a flat "smear" of toothpaste ... but use a larger pea size amount if between the ages of 2 and 5. If your child's teeth are not present, the gums should still be cleaned with a soft bristled toothbrush and water or gently swabbed with a washcloth. Q: Should I assist my child with brushing his or her teeth? A: Of course you should! Young children often have difficulty brushing their teeth correctly and may swallow excess toothpaste afterward. A parent should demonstrate the correct techniques for cleaning and make sure their child knows not to swallow the toothpaste. Good oral health habits started at an early age at home increases the chance for a healthy mouth during a child's young life and carries on through adulthood.