In May of 2001, the Office of the Surgeon General released its first ever report on oral health in America. The findings revealed that: Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease. Millions of school hours are lost each year to dental-related issues. Poor suffer twice as many dental problems than their affluent peers. With statistics like these, it’s increasingly critical to place more importance on our children’s oral care routines. Babies require daily dental hygiene care in order to prevent mouth irritation and tooth decay. When you take the time to develop good brushing and flossing habits from an early age, it will make this part of their daily routine for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Teething can begins around 3 months old but typically begins when your child is 6 to 7 months old. Signs of teething may include, excessive drooling, Irritability, gumming or biting, decrease in appetite, excessive crying and changes in bowel movements. You can start caring for your baby's gums right away. But at first, the care won't involve a toothbrush and toothpaste Instead, take these steps: Get a soft, moistened washcloth or piece of gauze. Gently wipe down your baby's gums at least twice a day. Especially wipe your baby's gums after feedings and before bedtime. This will wash off bacteria and prevent them from clinging to your baby's gums. Bacteria can leave behind a sticky plaque that damages infant teeth as they erupt. It can take two years before all of the infant teeth have made their way through your baby's gums. The process as each tooth emerges is called "teething." It can be a trying time for you and your baby. Teething is uncomfortable. That's why your baby cries and fusses in the days or weeks before each baby tooth pops up. Here are a few tips to relieve your baby's teething pain: Let your baby chew on a clean, cool teething ring or cold washcloth. Just avoid giving your child anything that is small enough to choke on. Also avoid a...