Oral health is important for a happy and balanced lifestyle. This is why it’s a good idea to learn good habits as early as possible and keep up with them for the rest of your life. If you’re a parent, read on to see five oral health habits that you need to teach your kids in order to ensure that they start their oral health journey on the right foot and maintain a bright, healthy smile for years.

1. Eating a Healthy and Balanced Diet

It’s important for your kids to understand that the food they eat plays a major role in their oral health. This means that they should eat a nutritious and balanced diet throughout, something that you have a major role in. That’s because you’re the one who’s responsible for planning their diets and picking their meals. Do your best to avoid the application of double standards so that your kids will see that you’re also making an effort towards healthy eating. When you all eat healthily, it will be easier to keep up this good habit, which everyone stands to benefit from.

2. Visiting the Dentist Regularly

It’s also important for your kids to understand the importance of visiting their dentist on a regular basis. Doing this is going to help them have any issues that are in the background addressed sooner rather than later. With one out of every 20 searches made on Google related to health, note that you can find a good dentist for your child if you don’t have one by searching online. When you find one, make sure that they know how to deal with kids so that it will be easier for them to look after your child’s teeth.

3. Brushing and Flossing the Right Way

Remember to also teach your children to brush and floss the right way. This involves helping them brush their teeth for the recommended length of time for a thorough but gentle cleaning. To this end, it’s a good idea to teach them a song that they can sing to make sure that they’ve brushed their teeth for the right length of time. Note that the three oral health conditions that affect a person’s overall health the most as well as their quality of life, according to the CDC, are severe tooth loss, severe gum disease, and cavities. Helping your children learn how to brush their teeth the right way can help them to avoid these issues in the future.

4. Drinking Lots of Water

Don’t forget to give your kids enough water to drink. Remind them to drink water frequently throughout the day, substituting sugary and carbonated drinks for water. The best thing about water is the fact that it can help clean food particles out of the mouth. This will lower the chances of bacteria multiplying in the mouth and leading to massive issues. There are also many benefits that the body can get as a result of staying hydrated.

5. Use a Toothpaste with Fluoride

Finally, let your children know that it’s important to use the right toothpaste as well. This should have fluoride in it so it can help prevent cavities better. A lack of fluoride can cause the teeth to decay and this is why you must make sure to get some in your kids’ toothpaste and your own. When they do this, they may enjoy teeth that are free of cavities even if they need an orthodontic treatment like braces. Keep in mind that a person will need to wear braces for an average of about two years.

Teach your kids these five oral health habits and you can secure their future. You’ll have given them an amazing gift, one of great oral health. That said, you’ll have an easier time imparting these healthy habits if you practice them yourself.