Helping your children understand the importance of good oral health from an early age provides the foundation for maintaining sparkling smiles for life. Dental care is something that begins in infancy and sidesteps a wide variety of complications throughout a lifetime, including gingivitis, gum disease, severe toothaches and tooth decay, and even bone loss. Your pediatric dentist at Discovery Dental in Eagle River, AK is your family’s partner in dental health, and is always ready with helpful advice.

Review five of the preventative dentistry expert’s best dental tips for families:

• Be A Great Example: Make daily brushing and flossing a family affair. Children routinely follow their parents’ example, so encourage them to brush and floss their teeth with you. It also makes dental care more fun for them.

• Avoid Sugary & Carb-Heavy Snacks: Keep snacks that contribute to tooth decay out of the house, such as sticky granola bars, candy, and anything loaded with simple carbohydrates. All of these foods work with mouth bacteria to form decay-causing acids and plaque.

• Make Sipping Water A Habit: Encourage everyone in your family to drink more water for their oral as well as their overall health. Water washes away decay-causing food particles and promotes saliva production among other mouth-healthy benefits.

• Use Natural Teeth Cleaners: Provide foods that naturally clean teeth for everyone in your household, including apples and celery. Give these foods to your family after each meal to help them enjoy cleaner, healthier teeth and gums.

• Visit Your Dentist Regularly: Schedule dentist appointments for each family member twice a year. It is a preventative dentistry measure that alerts you to problems before they worsen. Discuss decay prevention options, such as dental sealants for kids, to help fortify your children’s teeth.

Work with the pediatric dentist and friendly staff at Discovery Dental to instill the importance of oral health in your children. The Eagle River facility has provided general and preventive dentistry services exclusively to children and teens since 2013. Call (907) 622-5437 to schedule an appointment or visit the website for more information about services. Like the pediatric dentist on Facebook for helpful hints and tips.