It’s important to instill good oral habits at an early age, so here are 5 you can start teaching your kids today!
1. Eating Healthy
A healthy diet is not just good for your child’s overall health. When your child has a diet full of foods like vegetables and fruits, the nutrients help prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Sweet and salty processed snacks like chips and candy stay on the surface of teeth and can lead to serious dental health issues if they’re not removed. Pack healthy snacks like strawberries, carrots, celery, and apple slices for your child to ensure they’re partaking in a mouth-healthy diet.
2. Teeth Brushing
The American Dental Association says we need to brush our teeth twice a day for a full two minutes each time, especially after meals. It’s important to teach your children this early on so they are used to brushing for the full two minutes. There are a number of tools out there to help make brushing time fun, from YouTube videos with catchy songs about why your child needs to brush their teeth to multicolored toothbrushes and flavored toothpaste to fun timers that play music while your child brushes.
3. Flossing
Flossing is another incredibly beneficial oral habit. When you clean between your teeth, you remove plaque from your teeth. If left in your mouth, plaque can eventually cause cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. Teaching your kids to floss at least once a day, particularly at night after they’ve had dinner, will help them maintain great oral health.
4. Using Fluoride
Fluoride is an important tool used to strengthen your tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay by making your teeth more resistant to acid and bacteria. By remineralizing teeth, fluoride is vital for keeping your teeth healthy, especially for kids. Your child should be using mouthwash or toothpaste with fluoride everyday. Be sure to check your products for the American Dental Association’s Seal of Approval!
5. Getting Biannual Checkups & Cleanings
Another important part of your child’s oral health habits is coming in to see us. Be sure to bring your child in for regular cleanings and checkups every six months. We’ll be able to examine your child’s teeth and see if their oral health routine is effective. Call us today to schedule appointments for your entire family!
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