The techniques used to prevent dental caries should start before your child has teeth. The first teeth usually come into the child's mouth around six months of age. Before those teeth come into the mouth, we can begin to prepare the child for dental care by cleaning the child's gums with a damp piece of gauze or a wash cloth. A wash cloth can continue to be used until more teeth erupt into the child's mouth. The primary goal of this early tooth clearing is to begin good habits early and to break up any debris and plaque on the teeth. Breaking up the debris stops it from calcifying and becoming tartar. As the child gets more teeth a tooth brush can be used.

When brushing the teeth of children less than two years of age, it is recommended that non-fluoridated toothpaste be used. Use only a small amount of tooth paste, about the size of a green pea, when bushing children's teeth. Small children do not control their swallowing reflex very well and tend to swallow more toothpaste. Ingestion of excessive amounts of fluoride has been linked to a condition called fluorosis. Fluorosis is usually expressed as white opaque areas on the teeth.

Flossing baby teeth is important, and this activity should always be performed or closely supervised by a parent or caretaker.