Teaching children about dental hygiene is important if they are going to maintain healthy habits into adulthood. Whether it is you as a parent or your local dentist, someone should ensure that your child knows why it is important to keep their teeth healthy. It is also important to make sure that your child’s first visit to a pediatric dentist is a positive one. Many people develop a fear of the dentist at a young age, which can keep them from going back for visits in the future. Research shows that 51 million school hours are lost a year because of students missing school due to dental–related illnesses. If you want to ensure that your child isn’t one of them, follow these steps for instilling healthy dental habits at a young age.

1. Find a Local Dentist – The first step in helping your child achieve dental excellence is to find a nice, trustworthy childrens dentist. You want your child to like going to the dentist so that they will continue to go back in the future. Not only should you find a dentist that is good with children, they should strive to make each dental visit with your child a nurturing learning experience.
2. Teach Good Habits – After you leave the dentist office, it is your job as a parent to make sure your child keeps up good habits. Ensure that they brush their teeth twice a day and have them floss their teeth to get rid of anything the toothbrush might have missed. It is also your job to get them to their dental visits when they need them. 60-90% of kids around the world have untreated cavities-don’t let your child be one of them!
3. Be a Good Example – It’s no secret that kids are little copycats, but that is how they learn. If they see you brushing your teeth, flossing and going to the dentist for cleanings, they will be more likely to do the same. It is important to lead by example! After all, you can’t expect them to maintain good dental hygiene if you don’t do so yourself.

Instilling good habits in your child is not easy, but it is very important. In the U.S., nearly 5% of people between the ages of 20 and 64 are toothless. Start your child off on the right foot and don’t let them become part of this statistic. More information like this: www.alaskacenterfordentistry.com