“Monkey see, monkey do. Primates in China have been observed teaching their young to floss. Set a good example and do the same for your children.”

“She's got her Daddy's nose and her Mamma's eyes. And cavity-causing bacteria from both of them. Strep mutans - the bacterium that causes cavities - is passed from caregivers to infants by licking off pacifiers or sharing utensils.”

“Potty-training, shoe tying and bike riding are all childhood rites of passage. Brushing should be one too. At age two, start teaching children to brush their own teeth. By age six, most get the hang of it. Spot-checking is still encouraged, though.”