Though you know how harmful cavities are, your child still has to learn that. If you’re having trouble conveying the importance of maintaining good dental care habits and visits to their pediatric dentist, here are a few tips on how to present the concept in a way they can grasp.

4 Tips to Help Your Child Understand Cavities 

1. Use Familiar Words 

As you tell your child what a cavity is, stick to words they already know. For example, they’ve likely seen holes or felt sick. You can say that when a tooth gets sick with a slime called plaque, it develops a hole, the cavity, that a dentist needs to fix.

2. Use a Neutral Tone 

Since this subject can seem intimidating to a child, keep your tone neutral and matter-of-fact to avoid making them fearful. However, you also want to convey that your child must take action to prevent cavities and stay healthy.

3. Teach Habits 

At the same time, take the opportunity to explain to your child why they must avoid eating a lot of sugar—it can lead to cavities. Instead, encourage them to enjoy healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and cheese.

Also, elaborate on how brushing their teeth and flossing gets rid of plaque. Once they understand the purpose behind these actions, they may be more willing to make a habit of them.

4. Describe the Dentist Positively 

Portray the dentist as a friend who will help your child avoid cavities. Explain how they thoroughly clean teeth to eliminate hardened plaque. If your child does end up with a cavity, the dentist will be able to fix it. They’ll also help explain dental care in a kid-friendly way.

You can even arrange a meeting with the dentist ahead of your child’s next appointment. Having the chance to familiarize themselves with the setting and staff members may help them feel more comfortable when it’s time for their cleaning.

To have your child speak with a pediatric dentist about what a cavity is and how to prevent one, head to Discovery Dental in Anchorage, AK. They’ve cared for kids of every age with essential dental services since 2013. Make an appointment today by calling (907) 622-5437. You can also find new patient forms online.