Dental health is important for kids because it helps them set a great foundation for the future. This means that, as a parent, you should know the basics of oral health for kids. This knowledge can help you provide your kids with the best oral health and help them enjoy growing up with bright, healthy smiles. Read on to see five things that you need to know about oral health for kids and you’ll be armed to help them make the right calls.

1. It’s Important to Get Them the Treatments They Need

First off, it’s crucial to make sure that if your child is prescribed an orthodontic treatment, they get it done right away. The estimated 3.9 million children who are orthodontic patients in the United States are a clear testament to the fact that early orthodontic treatment is important. This means that you need to take your child to see the dentist regularly and follow through with the treatments that they propose for your child. See the treatment through to the end so your child can get the benefits that they’re supposed to get.

2. An Oral Health Care Routine Can Help a Lot

Next, you need to set an oral health care routine in place for your child. Doing this will help them have an easier time maintaining proper oral health. Even when you’re not around to enforce the good oral health habits you teach them, they may manage to continue with them. This will ensure that they keep their oral health in good shape and lower the risk of developing cavities and suffering from other oral health issues.

3. You Should Lead By Example

When it comes to oral health care for your child, keep in mind that it’s important for you to lead by example. If your child sees you upholding the habits you’re teaching them, they may have an easier time maintaining them. This will make it easy for you to impart healthy oral health habits and for your child to learn them. They’ll also likely remember them long enough to teach their own kids if they have some in the future. With oral health care as expensive as it is, it’s good to note that a parent who offers 50% or more in the form of child support may claim an exemption for purposes of tax. If you’re in this situation, you may benefit from knowing this as it could change the way you handle your child’s oral health needs.

4. Food Plays an Important Role In Oral Health Care

The food that you feed your child plays a major role as far as their health care goes. With this in mind, make sure to provide your child with healthy and well-balanced meals. These should have high fiber content and a healthy serving of vegetables. For snacks, give them fresh fruit instead of frozen treats and sugary delights. While they may resist at first, stay persistent and get creative with the way you present the fruits so that your child will become more accepting of them.

5. It’s Important to Start Oral Health Care Early

Last but not least, it’s a good idea to get started on oral health care as early as possible. This is echoed by the fact that a child’s first dental visit, according to the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, should be on their first birthday or when their first tooth grows. This should help your child get comfortable with visits to the dentist early enough for it to stop being an issue as it sometimes is.

Keep these five things about oral health care for kids in mind and you may have a better chance of maintaining your child’s oral health. Work with them every step of the way until they become comfortable and confident in taking care of their oral health themselves. They’ll thank you profusely for this as they grow up with healthy teeth.