Every parent of course wants the best for his or her child. You will of course do what you can to get your child into a routine for any number of things in life in order to set them up for future success. A routine to do homework at a set time. A routine to do chores around the house. If you want your child to make it to adulthood cavity-free, you should also be encouraging a daily oral care routine. Here are some tips to help your kids and maybe even the rest of the family get started.

Brush Twice a Day with Soft Bristles

Have your child pick out a toothbrush that he or she likes using, but make sure it is a brush with soft bristles. Encourage a daily brushing routine where the child brushes their teeth after breakfast each morning and before going to bed at night. Encourage your child to brush not just the front of their teeth but the sides and back into the corners of their mouths.

Floss Attacks Hard-to-Reach Plaque

Even with good brushing techniques, plaque can hide in hard-to-reach places in your mouth. Get some floss and teach your child how to go over each tooth carefully. If your child is too young to figure out how to effectively wrap the floss around his or her fingers, use floss picks instead.

A Kid-Friendly Mouthwash

A lot of the most popular adult mouthwashes come with alcohol included in the contents. But it's possible to seek out a kid-friendly mouthwash that they can use periodically throughout the day. 

Rinse After Eating Candy

Most kids love candy, and maybe yours do too. You don't need to send your kids to the bathroom to brush after every last piece of chocolate, but encourage your child to drink something with the candy and possibly rinse, at least with water, to get most of the sugar out of their mouth.

Stock Up on Supplies

You as a parent can aid your child with their daily routine by making sure they always have what they need on hand. Replace their toothbrush every three months or so, and stay stocked up on floss and mouthwash as described above. Buy enough of these supplies so that no one in the family ever has to go a single day without taking care of business across the board.

Regular Dentist Office Visits

Contact a local dentist to make an introduction to your children. Regular visits to the dentist will help encourage good oral care and may help prevent cavities or other problems.