Scientists call it oral-systemic health—the idea that what happens in the mouth affects the whole body. Gum health, heart health, even confidence are connected. The real price of a smile? The tiny habits that protect our kids for life.

Stress doesn’t just weigh kids down, it literally shrinks the learning and memory centers in their brains. But here’s the hopeful twist: stories do the opposite. The right story at the right moment can be as powerful for well-being as sleep, food, or medicine.

What if the richest kids weren’t the ones with the biggest bank accounts, but the ones with the strongest bodies and calmest minds? Discover five simple, science-backed ways parents can help kids build real wealth through health—one walk, one laugh, and one good night’s sleep at a time.