As a parent, it is up to you to instill solid healthy habits from a very young age and few other habits are as important as caring for your teeth.

Getting kids to brush and floss regularly is easier said than done. Below, we’ll outline 5 key parenting hacks to help you teach your child healthy dental hygiene habits and make oral health more fun!

First, why is oral health so important for your children? Let’s explore.

The Risks of Poor Oral Habits From a Young Age

It’s all too easy to think that children are in perfect health and therefore don’t need to worry about their oral hygiene as much as adults. However, good oral health needs to starts early with children — or dangerous health issues like the following can become real problems for their future:

• Tooth Decay, Gum Disease, and Loss of Teeth

The buildup of bacteria in the mouth due to not brushing and flossing will inevitably lead to the destruction of tooth enamel and tooth decay. In turn, this can easily lead to gingivitis (gum disease), which causes the gums to become swollen and turn red.

Gingivitis will also cause teeth to become decayed and loose. Later, complete tooth loss can become a problem. In this case, a root canal treatment may be able to save them. But if teeth become too severely decayed, they cannot even be improved with fillings, root canals, or dental veneers. Instead, dental implants will need to replace lost teeth.

Again, these problems all start from not brushing and flossing regularly.

• Increased Risk of Endocarditis

Endocarditis (the infection of the inner lining of the heart) starts with bacteria that enters the bloodstream and becomes lodged on the heart lining or heart valves. This leads to heart valve damage and severe cardiovascular problems down the line.

The bacteria that causes this problem can come from several sources — one of which is the mouth. When brushing and flossing aren’t done consistently, bacteria builds up in the mouth and can later end up in the heart, causing endocarditis.

• Increased Risk of Cancer

Several cancers have been strongly associated with poor oral hygiene. Although it is not yet fully understood by medical professionals, gum disease is often particularly correlated positively with pancreatic and oropharyngeal cancers.

• Mental Health Problems

Mental health can even be affected by oral hygiene habits. A recent Canadian study explores the strong links between poor oral health and mental health. If left untreated, tooth erosion, cavities, gingivitis, and periodontitis (gum tissue infection) have been known to be positively associated with affective disorders, eating disorders, and several other mental health issues. Some studies have even linked dementia and Alzheimer’s disease with gum disease.

5 Hacks for Raising Kids With Great Oral Health

• Lead by example.

Your kids will want to do what you do, so lead by example. Make sure you brush and floss at least twice a day. Eat healthy and avoid sugar and soda. Finally, make your biannual Ontario dentist visits a priority.  Your child will see you having good dental hygiene habits and want to do the same.

• Push the healthy snacks.

Healthy snacks like veggies and cheese aren’t just better than sweets and candy because they pack more nutrients. Cheese, for example, is full of calcium and protein — great for the teeth. And veggies like chopped broccoli and carrots can actually help keep teeth clean. The act of chewing these cruciferous vegetables helps your mouth produce more bacteria-eradicating saliva.

• Nix the juice and soda.

Candy and ice cream are definitely bad for your teeth, but some of the absolute worst offenders come in liquid form. Children should be drinking water or milk — not juice or soda — with their meals and at snack-time. Make this the rule from the get-go.

• Make morning and bedtime brushing more fun.

Unfortunately, brushing and flossing are not most kids’ idea of fun. But you can make it better by implementing a few fun games and rewards.

Step one is starting a brushing chart. Create your own chart, or hang a calendar in your bathroom. Then, every time your child brushes and flosses, allow them to make one “leg” of a huge X on that day. You should have at least two legs every day (one each for morning and night brushing and flossing). Stickers can also be awarded for good brushers, or you might even come up with a fun reward for a fully completed month of brushing.

Songs can help too. To make sure kids are learning to brush more than just a few seconds, hum a “brushing song” together while you brush. This Sesame Street song (or this one) are fun options to start with. Otherwise, try “Down by the Bay” or “Apples and Bananas.” Anything that lasts at least 3 minutes is ideal.

• Book their first dental appointment early.

Finally, teach your child that visiting the dentist shouldn’t be a frightening experience. This starts with booking their first appointment early. Your child’s first visit to the dentist should occur as soon as their first tooth appears. After this, plan your dental visits once every six months.

At your first visit, write down any questions you may have for the dentist beforehand. Your dentist will explain the basics of proper gum and teeth care to you — plus proper brushing techniques. At East River Dental, we aim to make the first dental visit especially calm and comfortable for children.

Visits to the dentist and standard dental procedures shouldn’t have to be scary experiences. With the right dentist, you and your child can establish a good working relationship with the dentist to ensure that proper dental care begins as soon as possible.

If your child is ready for their first dental visit, East River Dental can help. We’re the trusted Ontario dentist families in Newmarket trust. Call us at 905-895-8031 to book your child’s dental examination today.