Plus surprising brushing tips everyone should know.

Whether you're a parent in the US or anywhere else in the world, raising your first child is invariably a steep learning curve. With so much on our plates, it's easy for parents to overlook caring for baby's teeth, but a few useful tips will keep us on track.

I always teach my patients that their first line of defense against cavities -- or, as we call them, dental caries -- is prevention. But despite our best efforts, some of us -- myself included! -- have had to see a dentist to treat a cavity. Here are five things you never knew about cavities. Some of these might surprise you.