It’s a simple daily routine, but the importance of brushing your teeth should not be underestimated, especially among children.

“The mouth is the gateway to the body,” Whitney Young Health Dental Director Dr. Katie Rothas said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than half the children between the ages 6 and 11 have cavities.

“Dental cavities is the most common preventable disease worldwide,” Rothas said.

Even babies are at risk of tooth decay, but experts say there are several simple precautions to keep in mind to reduce that risk.

“It’s these very basic things — brushing for two minutes twice a day, drinking water, getting a healthy diet and minimizing juice and milk consumption,” Rothas said.

It’s the typical messaging you’ll hear during your run-of-the-mill dentist appointment, but dental professionals across the country will use National Children’s Dental Health Month to emphasize it and more.

“People seem to forget that the mouth is connected to the rest of the body. Something that people don’t realize is the blood vessels and nerves in the mouth are very closely related to your brain and to your heart,” Rothas said.

Access to care is another area of concern for experts.

“There are just not enough facilities that are taking Medicaid insurance,” Rothas said.

Whitney Young Health in Albany is a nonprofit organization that works to provide affordable health services to people regardless of their income or insurance status.

“Everybody, regardless of their circumstances or the environment they live in, they deserve access to health care,” Rothas said.

If you’re struggling to find dental care for your little one, pick up the phone to see what the options are.

“If we can start these habits early and keep these kids healthy, they’re going to have much more success throughout their entire lifespan,” Rothas said.