Toothbrush and toothpaste. Time for a more grown-up toothbrush? Nope -- still stick with the soft brushes, suggests Dr. Tim Henson, a pediatric dentist and post-doctoral program director of pediatric dentistry at the University of Texas Health Sciences Centre in San Antonio. However, as your child moves through this age range, you can switch to fluoridated toothpaste, (whatever kind you use), once he knows how to spit, likely after five or six years old. “I recommend changing brands and flavors often to keep kids interested,” says Dr. Henson.

Flossing. By this age, your child should be flossing regularly. And to make sure it’s done properly, you should be flossing her teeth. (Make a game of how still she can sit while you floss, and follow up with a hug.) Ask your dentist for pointers. Dr. Kowolik says once a child can handle a steak knife safely, she’ll have the dexterity to floss solo. “So by age 10, she should have the full responsibility of her own tooth brushing and flossing,” she says. If your child doesn’t like to floss, remember that introducing it early and doing it regularly helps it become a habit. Also, try flavored floss.

Losing baby teeth In these years, the Tooth fairy might start slipping dollars under pillows in exchange for baby teeth. If a baby tooth is not budging, Dr. Kowolik suggests keeping an eye on it, especially if it looks like the new tooth is growing through and the baby tooth is still there. “Then go see the dentist because when the baby tooth moves food gets packed in underneath and decay can start on that permanent tooth,” says Dr. Kowolik.

Dealing with a squirmy child. If you’ve got a particularly active -- but not necessarily scared -- child on your hands, talk to the dental hygienist first and warn her discreetly. “Sometimes just a gentle touch from a dental assistant helps,” says Green. “We also don’t do anything until we’ve explained it to the child and let her ask questions.” Sometimes, a parent in the room makes a child distracted and squirmy too.