Five Habits to Instill in Your Child for a Lifetime of Optimal Dental Health

Parents know the importance of helping their children develop healthy habits. The routines you establish with your kids now will shape their lives. That’s why you help them find fruits and veggies they like, work with them to drink enough water during the day, and establish a bedtime routine. It’s also why you should get involved in their oral health. 

Our dentistry team at Livonia Family Smiles has seen firsthand the way that building good dental hygiene habits as a child sets people up for oral health success as an adult. That’s why we offer dedicated family dentistry at our office in Livonia, Michigan. Beyond that, though, we also want to help you establish good dental health habits at home.

Here are five routines to start developing with your kids.

#1: Brushing

You probably already know that brushing plays a huge role in your child’s dental health. But it can be challenging to know when to start brushing their teeth and when to hand the toothbrush over to them. 

As soon as your child gets teeth, you should start brushing them twice a day. Use a small amount (about the size of a grain of rice) of child-safe toothpaste. Once they have a full set of teeth, increase that to a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. 

Most kids start brushing their own teeth between ages three and six. As you hand over the reins, supervise your child to ensure they’re getting all of their teeth and not swallowing their toothpaste. 

#2: Flossing

When your child’s teeth touch, start flossing them daily. Generally, kids need their parents to floss for them until at least age six. 

Make flossing a part of their daily routine, and when you do teach them to floss for themselves, stay involved to ensure they get in between each pair of teeth.

#3: Regular dentist visits

Once your child gets their first tooth, they should come in to see one of our dentists.

That might feel young, but starting early and going at least twice a year helps your child get comfortable in the dentist’s chair. Plus, our team at Livonia Family Smiles works with you to make your son’s or daughter’s appointment a good experience for them. 

#4: Healthy eating

What we eat plays a big part in our oral health. Developing healthy eating habits helps to minimize the negative effects of excess sugar. By helping your child find nutritious foods they enjoy, you support them in both their overall health and their dental health. 

#5: Fluoride intake

Fluoride defends against tooth decay, so check to see if your local tap water contains fluoride. If not, or if your family drinks bottled water, choose a toothpaste with fluoride for your child. Explain to them that fluoride helps keep their teeth healthy and strong so they know to keep using fluoride toothpaste as they get older. 

Our team is here to help you build a lifetime of oral health habits with your child. So that we can come alongside you, call our office in Livonia, Michigan.