If you want to set your child up for a lifetime with a healthy smile, the best way to do it is to make sure that they develop excellent oral hygiene habits early on. However, you may not be quite sure when it is right for your kid to begin brushing and flossing. Here’s a brief guide to when children should begin these crucial habits as well as a few tips for helping them get started.

The human brain is programmed to love the taste of sugar because it is filled with simple chemical energy that the body can easily absorb. Unfortunately, harmful oral bacteria love sugar for exactly the same reason, and allowing the residue left by sweet items like candy and soda to accumulate in the mouth can lead to serious oral infections like tooth decay and periodontitis. Here’s a brief guide to how you can protect your child’s smile when they are enjoying sugar.