Child dental care should always be a priority for your family, from the moment your child's first tooth emerges. To make sure that every child’s pearly whites stay strong and gleaming for years to come, the pediatric dentists at Pedodontic Associates in Hawaii have these dental health tips to share:

• Even if they only have one tooth, brush it. Though waiting until a child’s full set of baby teeth grow in may seem more practical, parents should start brushing their baby’s teeth right away if they want to avoid plaque growth and the spread of germs throughout the gums. Simply buy a children’s sized toothbrush and use a small amount of toothpaste to clean any teeth that start to appear.
• Dentist visits should begin within the first six months to a year. Just as you receive a bi-annual checkup for your teeth, so should your child. The American Academy of Pediatric dentistry recommends having a first dental exam within six months of tooth eruption and no later than the first birthday.
• Never give your child sugary drinks or snacks before bed or naptime. While having a cookie and milk is fine for dessert, make sure that the only thing you child ingests before they go to sleep is water. While brushing helps fight against tooth decay, newly formed teeth are still very susceptible to sugars and can quickly develop cavities if you are not careful.

Ready to book your child's first check-up? For an appointment, call Pedodontic Associates at (808) 487-7933 (Aiea), (808) 735-1733 (Honolulu), or (808) 877-0066 (Maui). You can also visit the dental care practice's website for more information.