Getting your child to brush their teeth can be a challenge, but it’s deeply important for them to prevent oral health problems in the future. Thankfully, a new study published in Child Development might provide some important insight into how to motivate your child to brush. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, Yale University, and the Santa Fe Institute tried to gauge what factors contributed to children being able to complete menial tasks. They measured how long young children were able to brush their teeth, getting some interesting results about the role that praise played in their success. Here’s what they found.

If you’re a first-time parent, you may not know how to manage your child’s oral care. After all, it’s not like you suddenly grasp children’s dentistry once your little one is born. However, it’s essential to learn the basics, or else their teeth and gums could suffer serious issues. Thankfully, though, your Casper dentist is here to help you out. Read on to learn four children’s dental health facts that you should know — they’ll keep your kid’s smile safe!