By teaching your kids the importance of oral hygiene at an early age, you’re setting them up for a lifetime of good health. Research has proven a healthy mouth relates to strong overall health, and your family dentist in Eagle River, AK, stresses the importance of dental care for kids. Discovery Dental specializes in helping children build bright, beautiful smiles, and they also help parents teach their kids about oral health.

Here are three habits you should be teaching your children:

• Proper Teeth Brushing: Believe it or not, there is a right and a wrong way to brush your teeth. It’s important to teach your child early on that it isn’t enough to simply stick the toothbrush in their mouth and wiggle it around. Teach them how to reach each tooth from every angle along with the gums and tongue. If they finish in 20 seconds, they didn’t do it properly.
• Going Beyond Brushing: It’s important for your child to brush their teeth twice a day, but flossing and mouthwash should also be a part of their routine. The oral hygiene of countless adults suffers because they claim they don’t have time for these extra steps. But if you encourage your children to take up these habits early on, they’ll be more likely to continue doing it in the future. Your family dentist will floss your child’s teeth at their check up but don’t let that be their first and only floss of the year.
• Protecting Their Teeth: If your child plays sports, encourage them to consistently wear a mouth guard. Make sure it fits properly to protect them from teeth and jaw injuries. Something as simple as chewing on ice or popcorn kernels can also damage teeth. Crunching on hard foods breaks down the protective layer of enamel. Warn your child of these dangers to help keep their teeth from cracking and chipping.

Above all, committing to regular dentist appointments is an important part of good oral health. When your family dentist is Discovery Dental, you have a team of compassionate and knowledgeable professionals on your side. Schedule an appointment for your child by calling (907) 622-5437, or visit their website for more information.