You and your child have been through it all, and now it’s time to celebrate!

It’s been a long road with plenty of memorable Smilestones along the way. And your child’s teeth are healthier for it! Thanks to you and the support you’ve shown them, they’re ready to take the best care of their teeth. Now and in the future. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be there to remind them and keep their smile as healthy and bright as ever.

Let’s take a look at all that you’ve done, and a few things to expect next:

A Look Back

Remember those first gummy smiles? There didn’t need to be teeth for your child to make the cutest grins. What about their first toothbrush? Did they pick a favorite character or color? The times spent brushing together are memories worth keeping. Maybe they’ll even pass the tradition on when they grow up. And it won’t be the only one.

Here are a few other Smilestones that you and your child made memories of:

• The first trip to the dentist gave you a chance to ask all the questions that you had. Getting them prepared early is the surest way to set your child up on the healthiest path.
•  When your child lost their first tooth, they may have been anxious or even scared. But you were there. Whether to keep the tooth safe as a souvenir, or make sure no damage was done afterwards, they could count on you to see them through.
• Once their mouth was full of healthy, shining teeth, it was time to make sure they stay that way. One of the more important ways of doing this was by choosing water and healthier snacks like fresh fruits and veggies. Don’t forget, it’s just as important to know when it’s okay to eat them.

Your child only hits these Smilestones once. It’s a good thing that you’ll have the pictures from each to look back on!

The Road Ahead

The most important thing you and your child can do to keep their teeth healthy and bright is to follow the good habits you both learned from each Smilestone.

• Brush often (twice a day, three times if you ate something especially sugary).
• Snack healthy, but not too often. Keeping your gums nice and strong gets rid of cavities and stops them from coming in the first place.
• Drink as much water as possible. Remember that when it comes to teeth, the cleaner the better.

Never be embarrassed of your smile. It’s yours! Your smile is as unique as your fingerprint. And that makes it something to always be proud of.

Smilestones Photo Tip: Capture the moment where, as your child is enjoying one of their favorite activities, they’re smiling wide, showing off the results of all your hard work. www.teethfirstri.org/smilestones