As a parent, it’s your responsibility to keep your kids safe, healthy, clothed, sheltered, and to teach them a love of brushing their teeth. Okay, maybe not the last one, but you should still absolutely get your kids to focus on their teeth in order to avoid some painful years down the line.

Here are a few things that you should consider in regards to your children’s teeth.

Don’t Let Them Drink Sugary Drinks
Kids love soda and energy drinks, but if all they do is drink these kinds of beverages then they’re going to have serious problems with their teeth in the future. Researchers found that exposure to energy drinks like Monster, Red Bull, and Rockstar can result in twice as much enamel loss as exposure to sports drinks like Propel, Powerade, and Gatorade. By teaching your kids to enjoy healthier drinks like water, sugar free juices, and milk, you can help improve their oral health and overall wellbeing.

Make Regular Visits to the Pediatric Dentists
Obviously you have to take your kids to the pediatric dentist a few times a year, but forcing them to do so isn’t that helpful. Encouraging your kids to actually get excited about the dentist is the key to a lifelong appreciation of tooth care. Teaching them to love their pediatric dentist sounds like an impossible feat, but if you continually work at it and do it right, you absolutely can make it happen. You have to make the dentist seem fun and give them fun things to do involving the dentist at a young age. Let them pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste when they leave the dentist, show them fun videos of their favorite cartoon characters going to the dentist and having a good time, and reward them with fun trips and prizes for successfully handling the visit to the dentist.

Don’t Make Such a Big Deal About Candy
Kids love candy, but these sugary snacks are extremely damaging to tooth enamel. Don’t yell at your kids for eating a few pieces at school or on the weekends, because that will only prompt them to want candy even more. However, it’s best if you don’t buy your own candy to keep in the house. Give them healthy snacks that are nutritious, delicious, and good for your teeth.

Your kids may never love going to the dentist, but there are steps you can take to make the chore a little more tolerable. Follow the tips listed above and watch your children grow into happy, healthy adults.