February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and it’s a good time to make sure that the children in your life are taking proper care of their oral health.

“It’s important that children learn proper dental health habits early in life so they establish a routine that will lead to a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums,” said Dr. Weisberg.

Follow these three guidelines to make sure that your children are maintaining their oral health:

1) Check to make sure your children are properly brushing and flossing their teeth. When brushing their teeth, you have to make sure that children are brushing and flossing all of their teeth, especially reaching to their molars. The recommended brushing time is two to three minutes, so it might be a good idea to set a timer to make sure that children are thoroughly brushing their teeth.

2) Visit the dentist regularly. We recommend that your child visit a dental professional twice a year. It’s important for children to have regular checkups because this allows dental care professionals to detect early signs of trouble such as gingivitis or tooth decay.

3) Maintain a healthy diet for healthy teeth. According to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tooth decay is the most chronic childhood illness in America. In most cases, tooth decay can be prevented if children eat healthy, brush their teeth twice a day and floss once a day.

By following these guidelines, you’re on the right track to making sure your child maintains healthy teeth during their childhood and establishes proper oral health routines to carry on into adulthood. If your child is overdue for a checkup, then celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month by scheduling an appointment today!