Oral hygiene is important, and the earlier you can help your kids establish a good dental care routine, the better. The family dentistry professionals at Discovery Dental in Eagle River, Alaska, understand it can be a challenge to train kids, especially at a young age.

Here their dentists offer a few tips for encouraging your children to take care of their oral health:

• Brush & Floss: Make sure your children brush twice a day to remove any plaque that can build up on their teeth. Teach them to floss, running the thread between teeth and under the gum line. This will help to remove bacteria and prevent plaque from hardening and turning into tartar. 
• Diet Counts: Nutrition is important for growing bodies and developing strong teeth. Make sure your family’s diet is nutritious with lots of fruits and vegetables, and teach your kids to eat sugary or starchy foods in moderation. When your children have something sweet or acidic, try to encourage them to eat a full meal with it. When you chew, your mouth produces extra saliva to help rinse away food particles, so it helps if they eat something else with their dessert. 
• Dental Visits: You probably see a dentist twice a year for a teeth cleaning. Guess what? Kids need regular cleanings and exams, too! Even though children lose their primary or “baby” teeth, it’s still important to keep their mouths healthy and cavity-free during these formative years.

Don’t forget to make dental care fun! Play games or listen to songs while brushing and flossing and make it a family event. Set a good example and make sure your children see you practicing a healthy oral care routine too. If Mom and Dad do it, the kids will want to join in. 

If you need help with any dental care training, or are looking for a new family dentist, contact Discovery Dental. The staff is dedicated to providing dentistry services to children and teens and has worked exclusively with kids since 2013. Don’t trust your family’s oral health to just any dentist—call (907) 622-5437 today to make an appointment at Discovery Dental in Eagle River. For more information, visit the website or check out the practice’s Facebook page.