Bad Teeth Close Doors to Your Child's Future

By Jill Feilmeier on December 14, 2011 in Kid's Health

What's the secret to raising well adjusted, healthy, happy children – ones who are going to succeed in life?

We all know there isn't any one answer.  Sending them to the right schools, making sure they eat right, reading to them, helping them to have empathy, getting them involved in sports, music, etc.  All of these things are important – no doubt!

Now do this: think of a young person who is doing well.  Get a picture of them in your mind.  The talented and exciting women's USA soccer team comes to my mind; or the beautiful royal couple who captivate crowds wherever they go.  Picture them again, this time with bad teeth – rotten, missing, broken and just plain nasty teeth.

Do you think these young people would be where they are doing what they're doing if their teeth were bad?  Of course not!

Bad teeth limit life's options, that's all there is to it.  And it's so easy to do a few simple things for your child to make sure they never have to worry about that obstacle.  Dental disease is almost 100% preventable.  You just have to start early.  Here's what you do:

• Before teeth come in, wipe baby's gums every night before they go to bed;
• Start brushing your baby's teeth as soon as they come in morning and evening. Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste.     Keep it up until they're six and can start doing it on their own.
• NEVER put sweet drinks in the bottle or sippy cup (not even apple juice).  Give them only water at night after you've brushed their teeth.
• Get them to the dentist by age one.

Bad teeth close doors.  A beautiful, healthy smile opens doors.

Keep that door open for your child.

Discover the small changes in dental habits that can have big effects on a child's oral health. Visit http://www.oralhealthia.com to learn more.