Important Hygiene Habits for Kids

Everyone has to take care of their bodies and keep them healthy by being clean. It's important kids know how to do this and why. After all, how many times are kids told to wash their hands, but no one really explains why it is so important? Clean hands protect everyone because hands can easily spread germs. Washing hands is a way people protect themselves from getting sick. It's also a way they protect their friends and families. It's true that not all kids love washing their hair or taking regular showers, but it's still important to do these things to fight off germs, rashes, infections, and other painful problems.

What Are Germs?

Germs are microorganisms that make people sick. Most things that are considered hygiene, even dental care like brushing teeth, are done to kill germs and keep them from spreading. Germs are a type of microorganism, meaning they are a living thing but very small, and how bacteria and viruses spread. Bodies are naturally good at fighting off germs. However, some germs are stronger than the body's defenses and will make a person sick if they get into the body through the nose, eyes, mouth, or skin.

• Germs and Hygiene
• Germs: Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, and Protozoa

Toothbrushing

Dental care is important for preventing gum disease and tooth loss. Germs love to eat the same things humans do, like sugar! They feed off the sugars people eat, and if those sugars are hanging around on someone's teeth after a meal or snack, the germs have a feast. These feasts can lead to painful cavities and other issues that will mean many trips to see the dentist. Brushing twice a day and flossing at least once is the best way to keep germs from using teeth as an all they can eat buffet and keeping teeth and gums healthy.

• Teach Your Toddler to Brush
• 30 Fun Ways to Teach Kids About Oral Health
• Keeping Teeth Clean for Good Oral Health

Flossing

Two-thirds of all Americans have gum disease! Don't be one of them. The best way to prevent gum disease is by flossing. Even people who faithfully brush their teeth sometimes skip flossing. Flossing is important because it removes food and debris that a toothbrush can't reach. Some people really don't like flossing, and they could try using a floss pick or Waterpik instead to properly clean between their teeth and maintain good dental health.

• Flossing Steps
• Flossing

Handwashing

Nothing is more important than washing hands. They need to be washed every time someone uses the restroom, comes in from outside, plays with a pet, eats food, or touches their eyes or mouth. That seems like a lot of handwashing! But hands go everywhere and it's important to keep them clean so they don't spread germs from place to place or person to person. Just by washing hands regularly, a person can reduce their chances of getting a cold by 20%!

• Keeping Hands Clean
• 7 Steps to Washing Your Hands Properly

Nail-Cleaning

Washing hands isn't just about cleaning the skin of the hands. It's super important to also clean around and under the fingernail (and toenails) tend to collect dirt under them. Cleaning under the nails is like flossing. Most people use a brush or pick to get under their nails.

• How To Clean Under Your Nails The Right Way
• 8 Tips for Getting Gunk Out of Your Fingernails

Hair-Washing

Greasy hair isn't cute and can even smell bad. It's also a breeding ground for germs, scalp infections and other conditions. Your scalp builds up oils and traps dirt, so if it isn't clean you can get a rash and even lose hair. Washing hair regularly is important to maintain the health of the scalp and hair.

• 7 Common Shampoo Mistakes That Can Cause Hair Loss (and Other Scalp Issues)
• How to Wash Your Hair (the Right Way) In 7 Stylist-Approved Steps

Skin Care

The largest organ of the human body is the skin. Its role is to protect the internal organs. That means that skin is where viruses, bacteria, germs, and other bad things hang out on the skin's surface. That's why regular bathing is key to staying healthy. Not every skin condition can be solved by a bar of soap. Rashes, chronic acne, and eczema are just some of the skin conditions that need extra care. It's important that people with dry skin use lotion after each shower to protect their skin's moisture barrier.

• Guiding Parents Through A Safe and Effective Pediatric Skincare Routine
• Skin Care Tips for Kids: Q&A with a Pediatric Dermatologist

Underarms

As kids get older, it becomes more and more important that they wash under their arms and begin wearing deodorant. As kids get closer to puberty, sweat increases and changes. Deodorants control the bacteria that love to live in dark, damp spaces like underarms and mask the smell with a scent. The antiperspirant part helps dry sweat.

• Using Deodorant for Kids and Teens
• The Right Age to Start Using Deodorant

Clothes and Shoes

Bacteria, sweat, and hair oil all end up on clothes. Kids need to learn how to take care of their clothes to stay fresh and make clothes last longer! Everyone should wear clean socks and underwear each day. Sometimes other clothes like jeans and sweaters don't need to be washed every day. Clothes that will be worn again should be hung up so they can air out. Clothes tossed on the floor are going to get dirtier and won't be okay to wear again.

• Take a Load Off: How to Teach Your Kids to Do Laundry
• How to Take Care of Your Clothes