3 Easy Ways to Keep Your Child's Teeth Healthy

It's no secret that keeping your child's teeth healthy can be tricky. From sugary cereals and snacks to candy and juice, a lot of things geared toward kids aren't exactly great for their teeth. So what can you do to help keep their pearly whites happy and healthy? Here are three simple tips you can use to keep your kids' dental health on the right track.

Choose the Right Toothpaste

To have the best chances of reducing your child's risk of cavities, you need to choose the right kind of toothpaste. This is incredibly important because tooth decay is five times more common than childhood asthma. Kids aged three and up can usually begin to use toothpaste. When choosing toothpate, look for non-abrasive formulas to protect your children's enamel. In adition, make sure to monitor your kids when they brush their teeth to prevent them from swallowing toothpaste.

Use an electric toothbrush with a timer

The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth at least two times a day. However, it's just as important to make sure you're brushing for two minutes each time. Brushing your teeth too quickly can make your brushing ineffective and brushing too hard can cause damage to your enamel. 

One great way to make sure you're brushing the right amount for the right amount of time is to use an electric toothbrush that comes with a timer. Many kids' electric toothbrushes already come with a timer installed including quip toothbrushes, hum, and Oral-B.

Choose yummy snacks that are secretly teeth-friendly

Sugary snacks might be a fan favorite for kids, but fruit is a close second. You can actually use this to your advantage by choosing snacks that are better for your kids' teeth. Some of the best snack options include watermelon, oranges, and pears because they're all high in water content (90%, 88%, and 84% respectively). This makes these fruits great for hydration and for washing away bad bacteria from your child's teeth. Other great fruit options include apples, which act as natural toothbrushes and help to scrub away plaque, and strawberries, which are natural sources of malic acid, a teeth-whitening enzyme.

It's important to make sure that your kids have the right dental hygiene habits to take proper care of their teeth. By following the tips above, you can make keeping your child's teeth happy and healthy just a little bit easier.

 Devin is a writer and an avid reader. When she isn't lost in a book or writing, she's busy in the kitchen trying to perfect her slow cooker recipes. You can find her poetry published in The Adirondack Review and Cartridge Lit.