As a parent, it can be a bit of a challenge getting your child to start brushing their teeth on their own, and even more so for them to do it correctly. It may seem like, no matter how hard you try, you just can’t get them to be invested in their smiles. That can lead to incomplete hygiene at home, and anxiety at the dentist’s office.
By incorporating dentistry into their playtime, you can help your child to get excited about the prospect of taking care of their teeth! Here are a few examples of dental toys that can help you do that for them.
Dentist Playsets
One of the most disorienting things about checkups for children are all the unfamiliar tools that a dentist uses to help facilitate oral health. Thankfully, there are all kinds of playsets that include plastic models of these tools designed for kids!
You can even play a game where you’re the patient and your child is the dentist, modeling for them how they can be a good patient at a regular checkup.
Play-Doh Drill ‘n Fill
In a similar vein, your child may want to know how it feels to actually craft someone’s smile. Many kids are made nervous by fillings or root canals, so the Play-Doh Drill ‘n Fill playset may help them become more comfortable with the concept.
Your child can use the included molds to craft a smile out of clay, then use the included plastic tools to simulate dental work.
GumChucks
These toys can make children more comfortable with dentists, but what about something that can actually make day-to-day hygiene easier? Flossing in particular can be very difficult for children to do properly because of the fine motor skills that it involves.
GumChucks are small sections of dental floss sandwiched between two plastic sticks. The fun design can be interesting for kids, and the fact that they have handles can make them much easier for children to use.
Hopefully, this list has given you a few ideas for how to make dental care interesting for your child. Next time they visit the dentist, both you and they will feel confident and prepared!
About Our Practice
Welcome to the practice of Homer Sedighi, DMD and Jessica Martin, DMD! We are a pediatric dental team united by one mission: helping your family get the level of high-quality oral healthcare that you deserve. We know that every child we see is different, which is why we take the time to get to know your family personally and to understand their unique needs.
If you have any questions about how you can get your children excited about oral healthcare, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (636) 777-7777.