Certain things in life simply aren’t fun, but for the most part, perspective and attitude can make a big difference in how we approach many of the things we do in life. Though dentist visits can be scary for some, they are essential for your oral hygiene. For most people that do have a fear of the dentist or simply don’t enjoy going, the feelings were rooted as a child with a traumatic experience that they had.
As a parent, supporting an excitement and eagerness for the dentist is something we suggest doing with your child so that they can continue to look forward to caring for their teeth and dentist visits. In today’s blog post, we’re going to touch on a few of the ways that you can make dental care fun for your child. Let’s dive in!
Get Them a Special Brush
One of the easiest ways to make brushing fun for your child is by getting them a brush that is special for them. So many oral hygiene companies have designed brushes that are designed with kids in mind. These brushes include characters that are popular among children, but even finding a colorful toothbrush would be a great way to boost some excitement for your little one.
Add Some Music
Have you ever heard that you should brush for the entirety of “Happy Birthday”? If you haven’t, the real rule of thumb is that you should brush for roughly two minutes each time. The “Happy Birthday” rule is a small one that ensures children are brushing for long enough in a way that they can keep track of. Getting them in the habit of brushing for this long is important, so if you incorporate a song that lasts roughly two minutes, you can make it just the slightest bit more fun.
Brush Together
Children watch everything that their parents do and then repeat it. If you have a child that you know copies everything that you do, brushing and flossing together is a great way to get them excited. Aside from them watching you brush your teeth, this is something that can become a part of your nightly ritual and will become something that they look forward too.
Flavored Toothpaste
Though a refreshing mint might be your favorite flavor of toothpaste to turn to, it’s not nearly as refreshing for children. Finding a flavor that is more up their alley might be one of the things that you can do to make oral hygiene just a little bit more fun. There are quite a few oral hygiene companies that have also made toothpaste flavors with kids in mind. You can find flavors like bubblegum and grape that are going to be much more appealing to your kiddo.
Visit the Dentist Early On
Children should have their first dentist visit as soon as their teeth start to pop through, just to make sure that they’re coming in straight and they are healthy. This is also important when dealing with a teething baby, and your kid’s dental care should become a part of your routine as a parent, so visiting a dentist and understanding what to do is important. Moreso, visiting the dentist at a young age is a fantastic way to make this a part of your child’s routine. They will quickly become comfortable with the dentist office and the routine that ensues when they’re there.
When your child is old enough to understand that visiting the dentist is a checkup, do your best to keep their spirits up and get them excited about coming in to meet with the dentist. If they see that there’s nothing to be scared of, the appointment is more likely to go smoothly.
Schedule an Appointment
Charlotte Progressive Dentistry is proud to provide full dental care services to the Charlotte area, including pediatric dental care. Whether it’s your first time in or you need to schedule your next visit, contact our team, and we would be more than happy to get you taken care of. Go ahead and browse our dental care services and learn more about what type of care you need. For all questions and inquiries, please reach out to our team directly — we can always schedule a consultation for further detailing of which services you’ll benefit from.