Narrator: Taking care of an infant's mouth and gums, and a child's baby teeth, is important for both their current and their future dental health.

Baby teeth — dentists call them primary teeth — eventually fall out, but did you know that caring for baby teeth is just as important as caring for permanent teeth? Baby teeth not only help babies bite and chew food, but they are also essential in helping your baby develop speech.

Toddler: I got all this stuff

Joseph M. McManus, D.M.D., M.S., M.H.A., M.B.A., Columbia University College of Dental Medicine: Baby teeth are very important because they maintain the space for the permanent teeth that come in later in life. If you lose a baby tooth early because of tooth decay, then your permanent teeth are not going to come in properly. If this happens, this can lead to orthodontic problems and your son or daughter may actually have to wear braces for two or three years during their preteen or teenage years.

Narrator: Teach your child the importance of caring for their teeth by starting early. How early? Even before any teeth appear.

To start, wipe your baby's gums with the corner of a wet washcloth wrapped around your finger. This cleans the mouth and helps the child get used to the process of cleaning their gums and teeth.

Once teeth appear, brush them twice a day with a soft-bristled brush or continue using a cloth until the child's back teeth, or molars, appear.

Until your child is 6 months old, use only water for brushing. When the child is older than 6 months, brush with a very small amount of fluoride toothpaste. The amount of toothpaste should be about the size of the child's pinky fingernail. As the child grows, the fingernail gets bigger, and so should the amount of toothpaste.

When any of your child's teeth touch each other, it's time to start flossing. Food particles and debris can easily get caught between teeth and the bristles of a toothbrush can't reach between the teeth. Dental floss is the answer to clean those areas. Most young children will lack the skills to floss their own teeth, so you will have to do it for them. Floss holders can make the job easier. These devices can be purchased in most drug stores.

With infants and young children, brushing works best when you're looking down at your child's mouth from behind. You can do this by placing the child in your lap. Another option is to place your baby or child in a highchair or car seat and lean over from behind to see into the child's mouth. This position works well because children naturally tip their heads back to see you.

If the child can stand, have the child stand or kneel in front of you with his or her back toward you while you sit. Tip the child's head back into your lap.

Make tooth brushing and flossing a routine part of your child's life, even in the face of resistance. You may have to be creative to deal with a fussy child.

Dr. McManus: I absolutely recommend that you allow your children to brush their own teeth. It gives them an opportunity to become involved in the process. But please remember that they're not going to do a proper job of brushing. You have to do that. Just don't add any more toothpaste. The original dab of toothpaste is just fine.

Another approach you could use you could try some distraction. Let your toddler brush your teeth — with your toothbrush, of course — while you brush his or her teeth with their toothbrush.

If your child has a favorite doll or stuffed animal, he or she can brush the toy's teeth while you try to brush theirs.

Narrator: Some parents sing a song while brushing their child's teeth.

Parent (singing): Twinkle, twinkle, little star. How I wonder what you are.

Narrator: When the song is over, brushing time is over. Of course, it’s how thoroughly you brush that matters, not the amount of time. So while you sing, make sure to brush all the tooth surfaces.

Some parents use a set pattern when they brush to make sure all surfaces are cleaned.

Here's a sample pattern: Start on the outer surfaces of the upper right teeth. Then brush the inside surfaces of the upper teeth. Then brush the chewing surfaces. Follow the same pattern for the lower teeth.

Dr. McManus: Despite your best effort, your child may not open their mouth. They may even run away when you say, "It's time to brush your teeth." Don't be discouraged if this happens. You may just have to change your approach that particular day.

You may let your child pick out their own toothbrush.

Remember, just like any other aspect of their health care, you're responsible for their dental health. You may have to be insistent about toothbrushing, just like some evenings you have to be insistent that it's time to go to bed.

Narrator: Be creative, try different techniques and find out what works best for you and your child.

Above all, try to make brushing fun, especially in these early years.