When should kids start brushing on their own (and are they doing a good job?) How do you help a child who’s scared of the dentist? Are your child’s favorite snacks actually causing cavities? There are all kinds of issues to keep in mind when it comes to your child’s dental health. And keeping on top of dental health is worth it, because learning good habits now will fight off long-term oral health problems such as gum disease. Read on to find out more about keeping your child’s mouth healthy at every age.

Soothers. Wondering if a soother is ok? If you’re looking for an overall consensus, you won’t find it: while the American Academy of Pediatrics did recently recommend infants under a year be put to bed with soothers to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD) also recommends using soothers only occasionally (read: for crying jags and sleeping only). Talk to your doctor to see what’s best for your family.

Thumb-sucking. Thumb-sucking, however, gets the thumbs up from Dr. Joan Kowolik, a pediatric dentist and professor at the Indiana University School of Dentistry in Bloomington. “I’m not concerned about a child sucking his thumb because most children stop by the time they go to school,” she says. If your child is sucking her thumb past age three and it’s causing dental problems (such as the upper teeth starting to shift forward and the lower teeth pushing inward), talk to your dentist about ways to gently curb the habit.

Keeping baby's mouth clean. Cleaning your baby’s mouth is important, even before teeth start to come in at around six months of age. Dr. Kowolik encourages setting the stage for future dental care by wiping your baby’s gums with a damp cloth after feeds and before bedtime. “Introduce the toothbrush just before the front first teeth come in,” she says. Use a soft infant toothbrush (but no toothpaste) to gently rub against baby’s gums and new teeth. After your child turns one-year old, you can use a non-fluoridated children’s toothpaste.

Teething. Just before those new teeth break through, you’ll see some heavy drooling, red cheeks and maybe a diaper rash (possibly from swallowing that extra drool). Your baby will also be gumming everything in sight. Use chilled items -- a washcloth, teething rings or even a baby toothbrush -- to ease the pain and heat of those gums. “Keep the teething item in the fridge to soothe and massage hot and irritated gums,” says Dr. Kowolik. Don’t stick a teether in the freezer though -- the plastic on the outside can crack, and the fluid inside can seep into the baby’s mouth while your baby gums it.