Q1 We brush my three-year-old nephew's teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Yet, his gums bleed easily. Why is that so and is there anything we can do to stop the bleeding? A Using a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush a three-year-old's teeth is the right thing to do. However, if his gums continue to bleed easily, it could be because you are using the wrong technique or not cleaning them well. Gum bleeding is a sign of gingivitis, which means that the gums are inflamed. This is often caused by the presence of plaque on the surface of teeth. Even children can get gingivitis, although the consequences are less serious than those in adults. Plaque is the sticky layer that forms on teeth if they are not brushed for some time. They consist of a mixture of germs and food remnants. These germs will act on the food and release acid and toxins. The toxins irritate gum tissue, causing gum tenderness, inflammation and pain. Gum disease may be passed from parent to child and between couples, according to an article in the September 1997 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association. Researchers suggest that bacteria causing gum disease is passed through saliva. This means that when family members or a couple come into contact with each other's saliva, they are at risk of contracting gum disease. Persistent gum bleeding can also be caused by serious medical conditions like leukemia and bleeding and platelet disorders. Other causes include scurvy and Vitamin K deficiency. Taking certain medicines, such as phenetoin sodium for epilepsy, may also result in swollen and bleeding gums. Hence, if the bleeding is persistent and does not go away with proper toothbrushing, you should bring your child to a medical doctor to check if he has other medical conditions. Q2 How do I help my two-year-old child care for his teeth? I do not want him to develop cavities. A Regular dental check-ups, a balanced diet, fluoride and brushing are important for preventing cavities. Starting children off with good dental habits now will help them grow up with healthy smiles. Fluoride is a natural chemical found in drinking water and in most commercial toothpastes. It is effective in preventing tooth decay by hardening the surface of the tooth during its development as well as after tooth eruption. It also helps to reverse the early stages of tooth decay. However, too much fluoride can result in white or brown striations and streaks on the permanent set of teeth. Supervise your child during tooth brushing to ensure that he/she does not swallow excessive amounts of toothpaste. A well-balanced diet with a variety of foods is important for healthy teeth. To avoid tooth decay, give children starches and fruits only at mealtime, not at bedtime. Limit the amount of sweets such as candy or cookies. Also, avoid snacking on crackers and sticky foods such as raisins, as they tend to stick to the teeth. By the age of two or three, you can start teaching your children how to brush their own teeth. Continue to check areas such as back and inner surfaces of the teeth to make sure that decay is not setting in. Good oral hygiene habits can also be reinforced by making brushing a pleasant, daily practice and by continuing to provide follow-up brushing and gentle flossing until age seven or eight, when children have the manual dexterity to brush and floss on their own. Here are some steps to avoid baby bottle tooth decay: *Do not put children to bed with a bottle that contains milk or any other sweetened fluids. The pool of sweetened liquid from the bottle as they fall asleep while sucking the bottle can create a breeding ground for bacteria, which damage their teeth. This process may lead to severe decay. *Do not use a bottle of milk or juice as a pacifier during the day. This means you should not let a child walk around with the bottle. *Teach children to drink from a cup as soon as they are old enough to hold one. Most children can do this well before their first birthday. The information provided above is for your general knowledge only. You should seek professional advice or treatment for your condition. http://www.todayonline.com/articles/292727.asp