(BPT) – It seems like just yesterday their grins were all gums. Now your kids are proudly showing off their transforming smiles and their new permanent teeth. No matter how big they get, parents always want to help their children smile with confidence. Oral health is important at any age, but as permanent teeth start to come in, it’s critical to help keep your child’s smile strong and healthy as they continue to grow.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), “Many parents are surprised to learn that tooth decay can begin as early as age 1. Children with tooth decay are far more likely to develop immediate and long-term oral health issues, including pain, infections, difficulty speaking, problems eating food, tooth discoloration and even tooth loss.”

It’s important for kids to build healthy habits to prevent future decay and ensure healthy strong teeth for life. Here are some important tips from Linda Parra, DDS and Crest Kids to keep your child’s teeth strong, healthy and protected.

Dr. Parra is a mom and dentist and provides the following tips for parents to help them protect their kids’ teeth.

1. Establish Big Kid Habits

Age 6 comes along with major oral health responsibility. Not only is this the age that most kids begin to lose their baby teeth, but it is the time when they begin to develop manual dexterity skills to brush on their own, with a little supervision by you, of course. This is also a great time to upgrade to an electric toothbrush to be just like the adults in the household. Have kids show you how well they can brush on their own to help foster independence and establish lifelong brushing habits.

2. Follow the Two Minutes, Two Times Per Day Rule

Every morning and night (two times a day) have your kids brush their teeth with a fluoride toothpaste for two minutes to ensure healthier teeth, remove plaque buildup and avoid cavities. Add some fun to this routine by pretending to be superheroes as you brush away your plaque nemesis. Other ways to make brushing fun include using their favorite tunes to ensure they regularly brush for two minutes twice a day or playing Simon Says as you have them switch between upper, bottom and fronts.

3. Choose the Right Big Kid Toothpaste and Brush

As kids start losing their baby teeth and getting their permanent teeth, it’s important to teach them good oral care habits from the start and give them the proper tools for success. New Crest Kids Enamel + Cavity Protection Toothpaste is specially formulated for growing adult teeth (kids 6-plus) and works by protecting and re-hardening tooth enamel.

“We want to grow those teeth strong and keep them that way! I love Crest Kids Enamel + Cavity Protection toothpaste because it creates a 24-hour enamel shield that protects teeth from sugars and acids. It’s the latest innovation from Crest and I recommend it to all my patients. Introducing a ‘big kid’ brush, like the Oral-B Kids Electric Rechargeable toothbrush, creates the perfect duo, as the toothbrush fights cavities with 75% more plaque removal than a manual toothbrush,” said Dr. Parra.

4. Encourage Whole Body Health

Taking care of your body is important for good oral health. Encouraging a healthy balanced diet and plenty of fluids will help growing kids keep their teeth sparkling clean. Help kids make smart choices like avoiding carbonated beverages like soda and instead opting for water, explaining that sugary beverages can erode the enamel on teeth.

5. Be Proactive for Strong and Healthy Smiles

Although little ones grow fast, it’s important to make sure their teeth stay strong through all the milestone moments. Whether it’s losing their first tooth, graduating kindergarten or playing in their first soccer game, good oral care practices can ensure a winning smile for all of life’s extraordinary moments.

By starting good habits young and modeling a proactive attitude toward oral health, you’ll set your kids up for a lifetime of healthy smiles. To learn more about how you can win a sample pack of Crest Kids Enamel + Cavity Protection Toothpaste, visit www.crestkidscavityprotection.com.