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5 Dental Health Tips for a Healthier Smile

Dental health care doesn’t stop when your child leaves the dentist office. Follow these great dental health tips to keep your child’s smile healthy and happy between visits to the dentist.

Good dental habits from a young age will help your child have better dental health for life!

1. Start Dental Health Care at a Young Age

Did you know that a quarter of all children start showing signs of tooth decay before they even start kindergarten? When it comes to dental care, the sooner your kids start seeing a dentist regularly, the better their oral health will be. 

The general rule is that kids should see a dentist by their first birthday or when their first tooth comes in, which could be as early as six months. At that age, you can wipe the child’s teeth clean with a damp cloth or soft brush.

2. Brush Twice Daily for Good Oral Health

Your child should brush his or her teeth at least twice per day—once in the morning and once in the evening. When your children brush their teeth properly, they remove food particles and bacteria from their teeth that can cause decay.

In addition, it is a good idea to change your child’s toothbrush at least four times a year so that they always have a fresh toothbrush to use.

3. Floss Daily for Healthy Gums

Flossing is an important step when it comes to dental health. Teach your children to floss daily to remove food and bacteria from between teeth. Flossing will also help your children develop stronger and healthier gums. 

4. A Healthy Diet Means Healthy Teeth

Did you know that teeth are affected by a variety of foods and drinks, like soda and sweets? To keep your kids’ teeth healthy, teach them to avoid foods high in sugar and acids.

Instead, they should maintain a healthy, nutritious diet and drink lots of water. If they eat a well-balanced diet, they can maintain good oral health.

5. Take Your Child to the Dentist

The best dental health tip available is to take your child to visit the dentist twice a year for annual checkups and X-rays. Kool Smiles is a low-cost, high-quality network of dentists with a focus on caring for kids. We’re always accepting new patients and accept Medicaid and TRICARE at all of our offices around the country.

When your child sees one of our dentists, he or she will learn tips to maintain excellent dental health. Call us and make an appointment at your local Kool Smiles office today.

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Sources:

WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/healthy-teeth-tips