It's not always easy to get kids to brush, floss, and rinse the way that they should. Because of this, lots of kids have cavities at each of their dental visits. If your kids aren't fans of brushing as they should, it's imperative that they understand the consequences of not brushing. Here, you'll find a few things to help keep your kids teeth healthy and strong.

Schedule a Consultation Visit with a Pediatric Dentist

When you schedule your kid's next dental cleaning, request the time slot for a consultation. The appointment time for cleanings is oftentimes too short to have time for complete conversations with the dentist. When you schedule, let them know that you're having a hard time with dental habits and would like the dentist to talk with your kid about the issue. This way, they'll schedule more than enough time for the dentist to sit with you and your kid to discuss how to care for their teeth, why it's so important, and what will happen if they don't.

Discuss Dental Sealant

Some kids have extremely deep divots and crevices in their teeth, especially the molars. This makes it extremely difficult to keep the food and plaque from building up in and around those teeth. Dental sealant is a protective film that's painted over the teeth to seal the food and plaque away from them. It goes on wet, like paint, and is set or hardened with a light. In just a few moments, the teeth will be completely protected from cavity-causing debris.

Please know that this doesn't mean your kid won't have to brush his or her teeth well — it will protect the teeth, not make them invincible.

Upgrade Dental Products

Once your kid is old enough to brush, floss, and rinse without swallowing the products, it's time to upgrade to better products. When kids are little, you don't want to give them adult toothpaste — it's not meant to be swallowed. Once they know to spit, choose products that contain fluoride to help strengthen the teeth.

Hang a Reminder Chart

Some kids don't have a problem with brushing, they just forget to do it. So, hang a reminder chart somewhere that it can easily be seen. Have them check off the time and date that they brushed — this way, if they look up and see they didn't brush that morning, they can do it then.

Talk with your pediatric dentist. He or she will help you through what can be a stressful time for you and your kids. For more information, contact local professionals or visit sites like http://www.childrensdent.com.