For many of us, it’s the norm to brush our teeth at least once a day.Twice a day once in the morning and just before bed is what the Health Department actually recommends.When exactly should this begin?Dentist Christopher Allington says a child should first see a dentist six months to a year after their first tooth arrives.“These are the guidelines of both the American and Canadian Dental Associations,” he said.Taking a one-year-old to the dentist might seem unnecessary to some parents, however Dr Allington explained that cavities can form as soon as teeth break through the gums.“The risk of waiting longer is that when early cavities form, they can advance rapidly. By the time children are two or three years old it can be very difficult to correct the damage done,” he said.One important way to reduce the chance of tooth decay is brushing.“Children do not gain the dexterity to brush their own teeth until around five, six or seven, so a parent should brush a child’s teeth until then,” Dr Allington said.Fluoride was especially important for children’s teeth, he added.“The most important place to have fluoride is on the teeth, in regular toothpaste. A small amount should be used with children [a pea-sized amount or less].“They should be encouraged to spit it out, but may swallow it. Fluoride toothpaste is like vitamin pills and parents should treat it as such. A little is very good for children’s teeth, and a lot is harmful.“Just like a parent should control the number of vitamin pills a child has, a parent should control the amount of toothpaste by putting the toothpaste on the child’s brush. Then the parent should brush the child’s teeth, keeping the toothpaste tube out of the child’s reach.”Having children take fluoride tablets is controversial. Dr Allington said parents should only resort to this if the child is not getting fluoride from any other source.February is Dental Health Month in Bermuda and this year the focus is on children. For more information on dental health visit www.bermudadentalassociation.org.