Sometimes our kids need a little extra help with tasks that don’t interest them - or in this case, proper brushing and flossing. As parents, it can be difficult to come up with creative ways to get our little ones to cooperate.
Two of the most effective ways to familiarize your child with their trusted pediatric dentist is to:
- Bring them in for a visit at the eruption of the first tooth.
- Introduce them to dentistry (with books and fun videos) and tooth brushing at an early age at home.
Oftentimes, a child’s fear of the dentist can also be a challenge for both kids and parents. That’s why we’ve listed five of our favorite kids’ books that present dentistry in a fun and reassuring manner!
The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss
This is a fun read for the toddler that is discovering new things about themselves! The Tooth Book creatively lists teeth functions and how to take care of them so they last a lifetime - with Dr. Seuss’ fun rhyme schemes and style.
The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist
This Berenstain Bears story has one of the best examples of how an older sibling can play the brave hero. Sister Bear is at ease after seeing Brother Bear has a pain-free experience at the dentist. The story goes as far as to discuss the tools used during a dental appointment in a way that makes it a lot less intimidating to kids!
The Night Before the Tooth Fairy
One of the most exciting parts of childhood is having a visit from the tooth fairy! In The Night Before the Tooth Fairy, the boy tries many different and creative ways to get his loose tooth to come out. Something funny and unexpected happens to get his tooth out, and he then prepares for the tooth fairy’s first big visit! This story also presents a great exercise in patience for little ones.
Brush Your Teeth, Please: A Pop-up Book
Brush Your Teeth, Please teaches brushing and flossing techniques by presenting interactive pop-ups that the child can (gently) move! The length of the story is short, but it is fun enough that your child will want to read it time and time again. Bonus: the characters are adorable animals.
Ready, Set, Brush! A Pop-up Book
This is a great introductory brushing books for our tiny patients. Elmo and his Sesame Street friends demonstrate to kids how easy it is to care for their teeth in Ready, Set, Brush! This interactive pop-up style book shows how to apply toothpaste, brush, and rinse, and includes the characters at the dentist.
Does your little one have a favorite dental book? Have you found other easy and fun methods to encourage proper tooth brushing? Inquiring parents would love to hear your suggestions!
