child smiling with two thumbs up showing healthy smileYou’d do anything for your kids – but you can’t always be there to protect them. Setting up a safe and healthy environment at home and in their daily activities helps you ensure that they’re always being well-cared for – and keeping their teeth in great shape, too. The world can be a dangerous place, but there are plenty of ways to fight back. Helping your kids maintain strong, healthy teeth today will not only prevent dental emergencies but help them build solid smiles for life. Here are a few ways to get started.

 Keeping Kids’ Teeth Safe and Cavity-Free

  • Supervision at the playground – The playground is a lot of fun and also the source of a lot of accidents. Between the number of kids on the equipment, the high energy level, and the unfamiliar structures, there’s lots of room for error. Keep an eye on your kids while they’re playing so that you can be sure they’re not taking risks or getting reckless in the jungle gym.
  • Packed lunches – It’s always best for kids to have lunches packed at home, as opposed to purchasing food at school. Not only is this typically healthier than at-school options, and lower in sugar, it keeps you informed about what your kids are consuming. Plus, if you get them accustomed to fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, whole grains, yogurt, and other healthy snacks, they’ll be likelier to prefer those foods as they grow and begin making their own dietary choices.
  • Family conversations about dental health – Talk about why it’s important to prevent cavities, and how certain foods and beverages are better for teeth than others. Also try brushing and flossing with your kids each night, so that you can make sure they’re brushing for long enough (and not skipping it entirely). Showing that you care about their teeth, and also your own, presses the importance of dental health to your kids.
  • Sports guards while on the field – If your child plays a high-contact sport, it’s safer for them to wear a mouth guard. These guards protect their teeth and jaws, and custom guards can also help prevent concussions stemming from head injuries.
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