Oral Habits

Why Are Good Oral Habits Important For Kids?

Tooth development can significantly impact your child's overall well-being, and poor dental health habits can lead to complications like dental cavities, tooth infection, difficulty eating, gum (periodontal) disease, and other health issues. Good dental hygiene habits learned young last a lifetime, so we say it’s best to teach your children good oral health habits as soon as possible.

The Benefits Of Good Oral Habits

 Maintaining good oral hygiene prevents cavities and gum disease. The most obvious benefit to having good oral hygiene are:

  • keeping your smile bright
  • preventing more serious diseases
  • stopping bad breath
  • lowering healthcare costs

Three Steps Toward Better Oral Habits

Here are some of the basic things you and your family can focus on at home to help build great dental health habits.

  • Brush twice a day for two minutes: The ADA recommends brushing your teeth twice a day with toothpaste for two minutes. When you brush your teeth, you help remove food, plaque, and bacteria on your teeth.
  • Floss once per day: we recommend flossing at night before bed and before you've brushed your teeth. This way brushing will displace any of the substances you dislodge from between your teeth.
  • Eat a tooth-healthy diet: Eating nutrient-rich foods from each food group promotes healthy teeth and gums. This means maintaining a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, proteins, whole grains, and calcium-rich foods for a healthy smile and body.