Did you know that experts estimate that about half of all children don’t receive regular dental care? Although regular visits can prevent common problems like tooth decay and gum disease, many well-meaning parents wait until their child has a full set of teeth before scheduling their first appointment.
Unfortunately, plenty of youths are overly fearful and can become anxious or uncooperative when it’s time for their dental visit. Continue reading to learn about 3 suggestions that you can share with your little one before their next dental exam to help them get through it!
Just Going to the Dentist by Mercer Mayer
In this story, a familiar friend, Little Critter, takes his first trip to the dentist. He encounters many aspects of a routine checkup and cleaning, including getting X-rays and filling a cavity. This is a great option to prepare your child if they have an upcoming procedure. However, if they’re still quite small and are having a basic checkup with no additional work, you might want to skip this one to avoid scaring them with information that doesn’t quite yet apply.
Daniel Goes to the Dentist by Alexandra Cassel Schwartz
Many adults grew up learning about how to treat others by watching the original Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Today, these stories have reached new generations with the recent spinoff, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. In it, the titular character (Daniel Tiger) walks readers through everyday scenarios that they may struggle with, like going to school, sharing with friends, getting sick, or visiting the dentist.
This precious story is an adaptation of the episode in which Daniel’s mom takes him to visit their dentist, Dr. Plat. They discuss each part of the dental visit before continuing forward to establish appropriate expectations and demonstrate to children that understanding what’s going to happen can help them feel less afraid of it.
Curious George Visits the Dentist by Margaret & H.A. Rey
Curious George is another familiar face that spans multiple generations. Whether you remember reading the original book series about this mischievous monkey or prefer the PBS Kids television adaptation, you and your child are sure to enjoy reading this story together. In this picture book, George discovers his first loose tooth, so the man in the yellow hat does what any good parent would do and takes him to the dentist. Once there, George enjoys an adventure that teaches him that there’s nothing to be scared of when it comes to getting your teeth checked.
Reading fun and engaging stories with your little one before their dental visit can help them understand what to expect ahead of time to soothe their anxious mind!
About the Practice
At Tic Tac Tooth Pediatric Dentistry, your child benefits from a team of experts who provide a full array of services to help them build and maintain a happy, healthy smile. They understand that many kids get scared of unfamiliar situations, so they strive to provide a welcoming and educational environment to help them have fun while they learn how to care for their teeth. Plus, they are licensed to administer nitrous oxide sedation if your child is overly anxious or can’t sit still. You can request an appointment on the website or call (630) 995-3393.