Are You A Good Example for Your Kids?

Do you sometimes wonder if you are setting a good example for your kids? Particularly when it comes to your oral health, do you ever worry that you should perhaps be doing more to teach them about the importance of good dental hygiene, and the need for professional care? While it is important to make sure your kids brush and floss their own teeth, make sure you are also setting a great example, as a parent, of what it means to carefully care for your smile, and also why it is so important to do so! Dental checkups and cleanings are essential preventive care, of course, but there are also important steps you can take at home to be a great dental role model.

Do You Practice Daily Dental Hygiene?

Both brushing and flossing are important to maintaining good oral health. That is because brushing is effective at removing many of the food particles and bacteria on the surface of the teeth, but it cannot reach in between the teeth, where particles are likely to fall and remain.

Flossing is excellent at removing more bacteria, precisely because it can reach into these small spaces. Therefore, it’s not enough to tell your kids to brush their teeth. Both you and them should be flossing, daily, as well.

A Healthy Diet Can Go A Long Way

Just as eating nutrient-rich foods can help you maintain a strong and healthy body, it is also essential to eat a well-balanced diet in order to preserve your oral health. In addition to fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and lean proteins, it is also essential to drink plenty of water, which is a great defense against plaque bacteria buildup.

Of course, limiting how much sugar you consume is also necessary to keep your smile health. Since bacteria feed on sugars, the more you eat the more likely you are to struggle with cavities and other dental problems. So if you want to avoid cavities requiring fillings, limit your daily sugar consumption.