How to keep your child's teeth healthy

Brushing twice a day should definitely be non-negotiable in your house, especially since experts are seeing more and more kids with cavities.

The problem actually starts with the preschool set. In fact, more than 25 percent of children aged 2 to 5 years old in the United States have tooth decay, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What’s more, pediatric dental disease is the primary reason children visit the emergency room each year, according to the Forsyth Institute.

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So what more can you do to make sure your child’s teeth and gums will be healthy throughout his lifetime? Here are five things you can do now:

1. Start dental visits early.

“Early intervention can prevent cavities,” said Dr. Joel H. Berg, president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Berg said children should see the dentist by the time they turn one or when the first teeth erupt.

The dentist can make sure your child’s teeth are coming in properly, assess his or her risk for problems later on, and talk about fluoride and the correct way to brush your child’s teeth. Plus, regular visits before age 3 get your child used to being examined, which can allay any fears and make it a positive experience, Berg suggests.

2. Eat healthy.

Even if your child isn’t allowed to eat cookies, sugar—albeit natural—can still show up in formula, milk, juice, fruit and crackers.

Make sure your child is eating a balanced diet and try to avoid sticky or sugary snacks. Offer juice only at mealtime and water in between and never put your baby to bed with a bottle.

3. Care for baby teeth.

Even though baby teeth will eventually fall out, it’s important to take care of them now. Baby teeth hold the place for permanent teeth, are important for speech development, and allow your child to chew nutritious food. Plus, infected baby teeth can cause tooth decay in permanent teeth.

We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.