{"id":154,"date":"2018-07-26T21:25:56","date_gmt":"2018-07-26T21:25:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jldentalstl.com\/blog\/?p=154"},"modified":"2019-08-06T18:29:07","modified_gmt":"2019-08-06T18:29:07","slug":"154","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jldentalstl.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/26\/154\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Dental Habits to Teach Your Kids from a Children’s Dentist in Arnold"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"childTaking care of your teeth and gums is important to living a healthy, fulfilling life. With that in mind, here are 10 lifetime dental habits to teach your kids, brought to you by a children’s dentist in Arnold<\/a>. These guidelines can help your children to grow up with bright smiles on their faces.<\/p>\n

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What Every Child Must Know about Good Tooth Care<\/h2>\n

Think of these as your family’s own personal top 10:<\/p>\n

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  1. Brush at least twice-daily and floss at least once-daily. <\/strong>Using mouthwash or oral rinse after and in between brushings is a smart idea as well.<\/li>\n
  2. Stay away from sugary beverages. <\/strong>The average American consumes far too much sugar in an average day, according to healthcare experts. Teach your children to steer clear of non-diet sodas, sugar-filled drink mixes, and similar products.<\/li>\n
  3. Drink plenty of good, fresh water. <\/strong>There’s nothing like H2O to keep the body hydrated. Water is essential for making saliva, which plays an important role in preventing cavities.<\/li>\n
  4. Teach your kids to never share food or drink containers with others. <\/strong>Doing so may expose them to harmful bacteria.<\/li>\n
  5. Avoid giving young children a bedtime bottle.<\/strong> The sugar found in most formulas can harm developing teeth and gums.<\/li>\n
  6. Encourage good nutrition habits. <\/strong>Starchy, artificially sweetened foods can corrode the layer of enamel that protects a child’s teeth. Encourage your kids to eat green, leafy vegetables, reduced-fat cheese and yogurt, and other healthy options.<\/li>\n
  7. Teach your kids by example. <\/strong>When they go to the dentist for a cleaning or checkup, go with them and have your own teeth examined during the same visit. Seeing you practice sound dental care habits will give them a positive role model.<\/li>\n
  8. Find a good family or children’s dentist in your area. <\/strong>A dentist who specializes in adults may not have the knowledge and training needed to treat kids.<\/li>\n
  9. Use praise and rewards.<\/strong> For example, you might offer to take your child to her favorite pizza restaurant once a month, provided she brushes twice a day every day.<\/li>\n
  10. Teach your children about the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs.<\/strong> Not only do these substances damage teeth, they can cause all sorts of serious health problems throughout the body.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    How to Help Children Overcome Dental Fear<\/h2>\n

    Dental-related phobias are common in American society, usually developing when the sufferer is young. Fortunately, there are many ways to counter these fears in your children. Here are a couple of helpful tips:<\/p>\n