February is National Children’s Dental Health month and a great time for parents to consider what they could do to improve the dental health of their kids at home. Here are a few things to consider before your child picks up his or her toothbrush.

Lend a Helping Hand

If you are like many parents in this country, you likely give the instruction to ‘brush your teeth’ before bed each night and then again each morning, but if you are not following your little ones to the bathroom, then you might be doing them a disservice. Though it is good to have children practice the act of brushing on their own, it is also highly recommended that a parent help with the brushing at least once per day until the age of eight.

Exchange Snacks

When the kids come running off the bus each afternoon, they are likely on the hunt for a tasty treat to tide them over until dinner. But, choosing the wrong snacks at that time or any time of the day can have a devastating impact on tooth health. Though a sugary treat is okay once in a while, it is a good idea to substitute healthier snacks whenever possible. Also, when offering sugary foods, choose those that are consumed all at once, rather than a lollipop or popsicle that prolongs the teeth’s expose to sugar and acid.

For more great tips, just keep reading the full article.