Oral health is so important. Your oral health affects your overall health in a variety of ways. Poor oral health has been linked to heart disease, stroke, lung disease, and diabetes. As you teach your children the importance of good health, good eating, exercise, and sleep, make sure you put oral health on that list. Here is how to teach your kids about good oral hygiene.

Show them

Show them means be the example. Let your kids see how serious you take your oral hygiene. The best example to set is brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing. Another great example to set is going to the dentist every six months to get routine checkups to prevent the development of disease and cavities. You kids will see that starting these habits is no big deal, and their health will stay great.

Give them some power

Let your child take the reins on their oral health journey. For starters, let them pick out their own unique toothbrush that will make teeth brushing fun. Next, let them pick out which toothpaste they want to use. For children, toothpaste comes in so many different varieties from strawberry to cherry to bubblegum. Make oral hygiene as fun as possible, and your child will look forward to brushing their teeth.

Teach them how to floss

Flossing is of the utmost importance. Floss gets between the teeth and removes the deep down bacteria and germs that get caught between teeth. Use building blocks or Legos to teach your child how to get the floss between the teeth. Flossing can be done twice a day when your child brushes, but it can also be done once a day if your child needs some time to get used to it. Flossing is the greatest oral hygiene tool you can teach your child.

See an Orthodontist

If your child does not have straight teeth, take them to see an orthodontist. Not only do straight teeth instil confidence in your child and their smile, but straight teeth are easier to clean and easier to floss. When a child wears clear aligners or traditional metal braces, they must up their oral hygiene game because of the devices that are in their mouth.

Play games

If your children are on the younger side, make up fun games they can play while they are brushing their teeth. It can be anything from counting their teeth as they brush to make sure they brush each one, to giving them a reward for maintaining great oral hygiene throughout the week. Singing songs and being present while they are brushing are all great ways to make teeth brushing fun every morning and every night.

Read to them

There are plenty of books about maintaining great oral health. A lot of these books are geared towards kids. If you are in the habit of reading to your child at night, read these books to them in order to teach them about their oral health through fun and entertaining stories they can understand.