When your baby is under a year old, she (or he) needs to become accustomed to having her teeth and gums cleaned. A soft finger toothbrush will work well. Many professionals recommend Baby Orajel Tooth & Gum Cleanser. It's specially formulated for babies and toddlers. It's made with Microdent® to help remove plaque and prevent build-up. Best of all, it's fluoride-free so it's safe to swallow. Baby Orajel Tooth & Gum Cleanser also does not foam and does not contain abrasives.

A toothbrush will remove plaque bacteria that can lead to decay. Any soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head, preferably one designed specifically for infants, should be used at least once a day at bedtime. See similar questions...

From as early as five years old children should be encouraged to apply the 45O method, also known as the Bass Technique (see more under brushing). The GUM Kids Technique Toothbrush has been especially designed to help develop this good brushing technique. It has a non-slip quad-grip handle to help guide the child's hand to correctly position the toothbrush at a 45O angle, so that that the bristles clean under the gum line. See similar questions...

Do not brush your teeth immediately before whitening, as this may cause discomfort to soft tissue and lessen the effectiveness of the whitening process. If brushing is done with fluoride toothpaste, the mouth should be rinsed well with water to remove as much fluoride as possible. See similar questions...

You should brush your teeth at least 2-3 minutes twice a day. Brush your teeth for the length of a song on the radio, the right amount of time to get the best results from brushing. Unfortunately, most Americans only brush for 45-70 seconds twice a day. See similar questions...

The American Dental Association advocates brushing twice each day. Although there is research indicating that brushing once a day is sufficient to disrupt the formation of plaque that feeds the bacteria that cause decay, this may not be enough for some people, depending on factors such as their diets and the efficacy of their brushing technique. See similar questions...

Brushing children's teeth at least twice a day is very important because it establishes good oral hygiene at an early age as well as helping to prevent cavities. This easy step by step method will have your child on the right track to a good oral health regime in no time. See similar questions...

First, rinse with warm water a couple of times to dislodge any food particles. You can also use a rubber-tipped gum massager to dislodge any particularly stubborn particles that are badly stuck in your brackets. Now you can use a small amount of toothpaste and brush your teeth. It is best to use circular, vibrating motions around the gum line. Angle your toothbrush above and below the brackets. Scrub each surface of every tooth with 10 strokes of the toothbrush. See similar questions...

It is best to use veterinary toothpaste or gel and brush designed for pets. Although some pets have no problem with some human dentifrices, human toothpastes contain surfactants that often irritate a pet's stomach and cause drooling from the indigestion. There are many veterinary dental home care products today and they are supplied in pet-friendly flavors such as beef, poultry, malt, mint, vanilla and seafood (for the cats of course). These pet toothpastes can be swallowed. See similar questions...

A soft bristled, small headed toothbrush should be used at least once per day before bedtime. Toothpaste is not necessary for children under 3 years old. The main goal is to remove food residue from your child's teeth. » Return to Top See similar questions...

Some children can be comforted by chewing on a teething biscuit, a piece of toast, or a frozen teething ring. Teething medications can also be applied to the gums to reduce discomfort and are available at your pharmacy. A child may also benefit from occasional use of infant Tylenol or another pain reliever. » Return to Top See similar questions...

Put a small pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste across the brush of a childs toothbrush. Apply the toothpaste across the width of the brush, instead of the length. Yes, but currently only 30% of Californians have it. Click here to see if you have it. The map is a general guide and does not include areas that receive fluoride naturally. Call the local water supplier for more specific information. See similar questions...

Bad breath is caused by bacteria in the mouth. Just brushing will not remove all the bacteria, so floss daily (to clean between the teeth), use a tongue cleaner to remove bacteria and food debris and rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash that is clinically proven to help combat bad breath. If your gums are red, swollen or bleed when you brush or floss you may have gum disease, which can also cause bad breath. If the problem persists speak to your dentist or oral hygienist for expert advice. See similar questions...

Ninety percent of dental problems start between the teeth, where brushing cannot reach. So in addition to brushing twice a day it is important to floss at least once a day. Flossing removes food debris and bacteria from between the teeth and under the gum line. See similar questions...

There is no bath or shower on the shuttle, so astronauts just wash off with wet washcloths, using soaps that you don't have to rinse off. When they brush their teeth, they can either swallow the toothpaste or spit it into a washcloth. Designing a toilet for zero-gravity is tougher. The astronauts use air flow to make the urine or feces go where they want, since gravity will not do it for them. See similar questions...