Taking your child to the dentist is one of the most important ways to protect their smile. But for kids, the benefits of oral health care can be hard to recognize. In some cases, young patients may be reluctant or afraid to receive professional care. Fortunately, if your child is apprehensive about the experience, there are several ways you can make their appointments more exciting. To help encourage your little ones to embrace their oral health, here are five ideas for making the dentist more fun for kids.

5 Ways to Excite Kids About Visiting the Dentist

1. Choose a Kid-Friendly Specialist

To ensure your child has the best experience, choose a professional who is known for children’s dentistry. These specialists are trained to take a more delicate approach, so kids feel more comfortable under their care. They will also likely know how to explain treatment in a way that makes sense for younger individuals.  

2. Schedule an Early Check-Up  

The American Dental Association recommends scheduling your child’s first dentist appointment between the time their first baby tooth emerges and their first birthday. While it may seem early, this initial visit will introduce your child to the dental office early on and help normalize the experience so that it becomes less intimidating over time.

3. Find the Fun in At-Home Hygiene

When oral hygiene is embraced with a positive attitude, kids are more likely to feel excited about visiting the dentist. To make at-home care fun, brush and floss together as a family. Allow your child to make decisions about their care, including letting them pick the toothbrush or toothpaste they use and letting them cut their floss.

4. Highlight a Technique to Be Proud Of  

Kids are often reluctant to visit the dentist if they have tooth pain. To ease their stress, have your child focus on an aspect that they should be excited to share with their dentist such as drinking milk every day to build stronger teeth or showing off their brushing technique. 

5. Encourage and Praise Them

After visits to the dentist, be sure to praise your child for good behavior. Take them to the toy store, buy them a treat, take them to the park, or watch a movie together after their dentist appointment. With positive reinforcement, your little one will associate dental appointments with something that’s good for them—not an experience that they need to be afraid of.

When it comes to making dental care more exciting for kids, Dr. Tris J. Carta delivers care that is comfortable, fun, and educational. Taking a personal approach with every patient, this dentist will help your little one feel more at ease about caring for their teeth and take steps to help them leave the office with a smile. To learn more about Dr. Carta, visit his practice’s website. For appointments, call (860) 646-2251.