girl is sad at the pediatric dentist

Help! My Children Hate the Dentist!

Kids and parents alike often fear dentist appointments. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to make the experience less traumatic for your little ones. Let’s discuss some tips to help your children like the dentist!

Teaching kids about oral hygiene is important, making the dentist appointment much less painful for them and you! Use these guidelines to teach your children the importance of dental care.

Fun Toothbrush and Toothpaste

Choose a fun toothbrush for your children, like one in the shape of their favorite animal or cartoon character. For toothpaste, the bubble gum flavor helps, but so does the fun packaging. It could be a picture of a crocodile or a mouse. This will help tell your kids “Let’s brush our teeth with the crocodile!” 

Be a Role Model

Forming good habits now will prevent many issues in the future, such as gum disease, cavities, and tooth decay. After you select the oral care tools that are most appropriate for your children, brush your teeth alongside them to demonstrate how it’s done. Young children may not be able to mimic your movements immediately, but they will still observe and watch what you’re doing. If they are receptive, they’ll even copy what you do!

Fun Dental Health Crafts Ideas

Parents need to get creative and make dental care fun for their children! Read a few craft ideas to help them learn about oral hygiene:

  • Egg Carton Teeth
  • Toothbrush Painting
  • Teeth Math Games
  • Race to Lose a Tooth Game

Books 

To name a few, these books may help get familiar with dental hygiene and show up less nervous at the dentist appointment:

Dental App for Kids

Kids can often feel overwhelmed when they have to wait for their turn at the dentist. To help keep them occupied, technology may be a good helper! To name a few; Brush Up, Dentist for Kids, and Aquafresh Brush Time

As soon as the dentist appointment starts, always explain each step to your kids. This way, they feel like they are in control of the situation and it won’t be as scary for them. Also, parents shouldn’t hesitate to ask questions or voice any concerns—doing so can help make children more comfortable during the visit.

Finally, don’t forget to reward kids for good behavior! A small treat like a sticker or a lollipop can go a long way in making kids excited about future dentist visits.

By following these tips, parents can make dental appointments less stressful for kids. No one likes going to the dentist, but with some planning and preparation kids can learn to enjoy their visits! With these tips, kids will be sure to look forward to their next appointment with the dentist!

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