Want to make sure your kids are healthy for the upcoming school year? In addition to those school physicals and required vaccinations, you might also need to schedule a trip to the dentist. Making sure your child’s dental health is in good order is a crucial part of maintaining his or her overall well-being.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking dental care is less important before a child’s permanent teeth arrive. Poor dental health leads to oral disease, which can be very painful and affect a child’s ability to eat. Poor dental health can also affect how a child’s teeth look and could cause kids to feel self-conscious.

Monitor the eating habits of older kids and discourage constant snacking. Just like adults, kids should brush twice daily. To protect their chompers from traumatic injuries, make sure your kids wear mouth or face guards when they play sports and wear helmets when they ride bicycles.

Even babies need regular dental care. To get a head start and keep that gummy smile healthy, use a soft cloth to gently wipe baby’s gums after feeding and clean your infant’s teeth as soon as they pop up. Make sure your child’s oral health is evaluated around his or her first birthday and every six months after that.

Avoid the temptation to put baby to bed with a bottle, unless it contains only water. Other liquids can stay on teeth while your little one naps, causing decay. According to the American Dental Association, kids should start brushing when they are two years old and be able to brush independently by age seven. Flossing should start early, too… as soon as your child has teeth in close proximity to one another.

Kids may not like all that brushing and flossing, but they’ll thank you one day. So will their pearly whites.