Tips to Get Kids Excited About the Dentist

In this blog post, we’ll help you figure out how to get your kids excited about oral healthcare at home and at the dentist!

Start Oral Healthcare Early

We recommend bringing your child into Tots to Teens Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics for their first dental visit soon after their first tooth emerges or by their first birthday. Beginning regular dental visits early in childhood help your child become comfortable with going to the dentist so it’s not an unfamiliar or scary thing as they grow up.

At our office, we’ll help them have positive experiences from the start! We can answer all your questions and provide plenty of tips for at-home oral care.

But even before their first dental visit, you can help your child become comfortable with having their mouth examined. After feedings, gently wipe their gums with a damp cloth. When their first tooth emerges, start brushing with a child-friendly toothbrush and a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. Around three years old, you can upgrade to a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Begin flossing when they have at least two teeth touching.

Read Children’s Books About Teeth

Reading with your child promotes bonding, sparks their imagination, and helps them develop language skills, social understanding, and emotional literacy. Did you know there are a variety of books about oral health? Check out the following from our local library:

• The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss
• The Crocodile and the Dentist by Taro Gomi
• The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Stan and Jan Berenstain
• ABC Dentist: Healthy Teeth From A to Z by Harriet Ziefert
• What to Expect When You Go to the Dentist by Heidi Murkoff
• Curious George Visits the Dentist by H. A. Rey
• Just Going to the Dentist by Mercer Mayer

Make Oral Hygiene Fun

Help make your child’s oral hygiene routine enjoyable! There are a variety of ways to do this. For example: purchase kid-friendly oral care products; play their favorite song during brushing; make oral hygiene a family activity; make sure they like their bathroom decor; and consider rewarding brushing and flossing with a sticker chart.

Kid-Friendly Dentistry in San Antonio, TX

You want your child to feel comfortable with the layout and environment of their dentist office. Looking for a practice that fits the bill? Look no further than Tots to Teens Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics!

In addition to our friendly team (plus a Spanish-speaking dentist!), comprehensive pediatric services, and modern technology, our child-centric office has a cavity-free club, complimentary beverages, a treasure chest of prizes, toys, books, magazines, TVs, movie glasses, and video games!

With Tots to Teens Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, your child will love coming to their dental appointments every six months. Contact us today to schedule their next appointment!

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Categorised in: Baby Teeth, Dental Tips, Kids Dental Care, Pediatric Dentist