Dental care should start early. The American Dental Association recommends that parents introduce a cleaning routine for babies - even before their teeth appear. Gently wiping a baby's gums with a soft, wet cloth will remove any plaque build-up and will also get the baby used to the sensation of someone cleaning inside his or her mouth. When the baby's teeth do cut through, you should continue with the routine by wiping the teeth gently with cotton swabs. Later, introduce brushing with a small-headed toothbrush with soft nylon bristles suitable for the age of your child. The Hong Kong Tooth Club recommends a toothbrush head with the diameter of a 10-cent coin for children under two years: a head the size of a 20-cent coin for children two to six years; a 50-cent coin for six to 12-year-olds, and a head the size of a $1 coin for children 12 years and above. If your child finds brushing a chore, give him or her a novelty toothbrush from one of the reputable brands, say dentists who stress the importance of encouraging a healthy oral hygiene habit at a young age. Dentists also recommend that parents or helpers assist the children with cleaning their teeth until they are five or six years. Use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste for children, and supervise the activity. Too much fluoride, if swallowed, can result in fluorosis, a condition that results in discoloured spots on the teeth. Because fluoride is added to the water supply in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Dental Association advises people not to add fluoride in tablet form to a diet unless they are instructed to do so by a dentist.
