QUESTION: My wife thinks we should be brushing our 2-year-old's teeth every night. But the nights I put our daughter to bed, she refuses to let me brush her teeth. Is it really necessary at this age? Isn't she going to lose these teeth in a few years anyway?ANSWER: The quick answer is Yes and Yes. Yes, your daughter will lose her primary teeth (also called "baby teeth") — the first ones when she's about 6, the last ones by the time she's 13. And yes, even though they're in her mouth temporarily, it's important to take care of them while they're there. First of all, they'll help her adult teeth come in straight. Second, she needs those teeth as she learns to speak. And third, they'll help her chew her food properly. Baby teeth are just as susceptible to cavities as their adult mouthmates. And most dentists will tell you tooth decay is an infection, one that can harm your child's overall health. Oh, and if you think getting her to brush her teeth is hard now, imagine how hard it'll be if she needs fillings.Dr. Oana Romasan, a Florida-based pediatric dentist (smileykidz.com), recommends parents brush their children's teeth as soon as they appear. Using a soft-bristle brush and only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste, brush each tooth in a gentle circular motion. Be sure to get the inside, outside, and chewing surface of every tooth, and finish up by brushing her tongue (to remove buildup of plaque- and bad-breath-causing bacteria).Of course, this is easier said than done. Toddlers are notorious for not wanting to have anything stuck into their mouth. And once something does get in there, you might have a terrible time getting it out again.To make brushing a cheerful part of your morning and nighttime routines, take your daughter on a special trip to the drugstore to pick out a toothbrush with her favorite character on it. Actually, get two, just in case one drops in the toilet (yep, it's happened to me on several occasions).Here are a few more field-tested strategies that might help:• Brush her teeth in the bathtub. If you're already washing her, she might be willing to accept your help with her teeth. Sounds simple, but it works for many parents.• Offer a reward. If she lets you brush her teeth, you'll read an extra book before lights out. Or she gets a sticker. Hey, if it works for the dentist, it might work for you. And speaking of dentists, make an appointment for her to visit one now. You want to have her associate dentists with fun, not with pain and fear.• Set a good example. Toddlers love to do what mommy and daddy do. You might be able to work out a swap: she brushes your teeth and you do hers.• Distract her. Find a movie or show she likes and make it the brushing video. She can watch, but only if she opens her mouth.• Try an electric or battery-operated toothbrush. Some toddlers enjoy the sensation as well as the noise. Plus it might get the job done faster than a regular toothbrush.Remember, you'll need to do the actual brushing until she's at least 6. And the key is to make the process as fun as possible for everyone. So brush together, create a toothbrushing dance, or anything else you think has any chance of making your daughter's teeth cleaning an exciting and enjoyable time for both of you.

QUESTION: I really want a dog, but my wife doesn't think it's safe with our 2-year-old daughter. Is she right? Aren't there some benefits as well?ANSWER: A dog could make a great addition to your family, but you and your wife are both right: There are some risks and rewards.Some of the risks include:• Aggressive behavior. Dogs, even the nicest ones, can be unpredictable, and there's always a risk it could attack, bite or otherwise harm your daughter.• Defensive response. When dogs act aggressively, it's often because they feel threatened. Some dogs are fine with being chased, having their tail pulled, having their food eaten, or even having a finger stuck up a nostril (my daughter did this to a friend's dog). Others will react in much the same way you might if someone did that to you.• Rough play. Dogs can get excited and might accidentally knock your daughter over.• Allergies and fleas. Pretty self-explanatory.• Messes. Toddlers, preschoolers, and dogs have accidents. It comes with the territory. Plus, some dogs might tear up your house if they get left alone for too long.• Time and money. Dogs aren't like goldfish — you'll need to spend a lot of time walking, grooming and playing with it. Will that cut into time you'd otherwise spend with your wife or daughter? In addition, PetEducation.com estimates keeping a dog costs $800 to $2,500 per year.Now some benefits:• Dogs can be fun and loving.• Having a dog around can help your daughter learn to love animals and treat them with respect.• Your daughter can learn some responsibility by helping care for the dog.• Some research indicates children raised in households with pets are less likely to be allergic later.If you do decide to get a dog, her are a few important guidelines:• Do plenty of research. Some breeds, like labs, are known for being great with children. But dogs are individuals and even the most family friendly breed can't guarantee a good personality or good behavior.• Find the right dog for your family. Shelter? Breeder? That's a decision only you can make. Some people worry about adopting from a shelter, but as PetEducation.com says, "There are some real diamonds in the 'ruff' to be found at the local humane society." Then there's the puppy vs. older dog debate. Getting a mature animal might eliminate the need for house training and some of the bouncing-off-the-walls-and-chewing-on-everything puppy behavior.• Include your daughter in the process. Try to get her input. If you have a choice of dogs, watch which one your daughter is drawn to. And try to arrange a time when girl and dog can spend some time together before bringing the four-legged one into your home.• Teach your toddler how to interact with dogs. She needs to know how to approach dogs with caution, pet them, play with them, and how not to provoke or surprise them.• Supervise, supervise, supervise. Despite the "Good Dog, Carl" books (if you haven't seen them, they're great), a dog is not a baby-sitter. Don't ever leave the two of them alone together. You never know when one might do something to the other.• Create safe zones. Your dog needs a place to call his own, where he can go to get away from your daughter. And your daughter needs a place to get away from the dog.• Finally, have fun. Millions of families have happily and safely brought dogs into their lives.