At Droel Family Dentistry, kids are always welcome. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child's first dental visit before 12 months of age. By age 3 the average child already has 3 decayed teeth, which is the reason for this recommendation. Untreated cavities in baby teeth can cause significant pain, and can jeopardize the health of the already-forming adult teeth. Here are a few tips for how to educate your children about the dentist and promote good health.

1. Be positive and honest. When talking to your child about the dentist, use positive language. Don't say, "It won't hurt." Kids probably won't think of a visit to the dentist as a negative experience unless the issue of pain is discussed. Talk to kids in a positive, honest way and use words they can understand. Remember, dentistry today is easy for children, especially compared to 20 years ago.
   
   
2. Don't transfer your fears about the dentist to your children. Too often adults who fear the dentist will tell horror stories about their own experiences. If you are afraid of the dentist, try not to share your fears with your children. A child who goes to the dentist without any preconceived notions is more likely to have a good experience.
   
   
3. Talk about oral health as a routine part of taking care of yourself, just like going to the doctor. Going to the dentist is part of being healthy. Preventative measures taken from a child's first visit to the dentist will help ensure that the child has healthy teeth and gums for the rest of his or her life.
   
   
4. Set a good example. From the time they are toddlers, parents should brush and floss with their children. Kids often imitate the good (and bad) habits of their parents, and if brushing and flossing are activities parents do on a regular basis, children are more likely to continue such good behavior as they grow up.
   
   
5. Never threaten children with pulled teeth or other dental procedures. If you are having a hard time getting your kids to brush their teeth, don't threaten them with frightening dental procedures such as having a tooth pulled. Instead, teach your children why oral health is an important part of overall physical health.
   
   
6. Don't make a big deal out of going to the dentist. We recommend talking about the dentist as something that's necessary but not a big deal. Don't bribe your child with toys or treats! We have found that bribes actually make things more difficult for younger patients, especially those that are already hesitant about visiting the dentist. In our experience we have developed our own methods of making appointments easy and enjoyable for kids.
   
   
7. Let the dentist do the talking. If you don't feel comfortable explaining what happens at the dentist or you are afraid of the dentist, let the dentist speak to your child. We've had lots of practice making children feel comfortable and explaining good oral health to kids in a way they understand.
   
   
8. Use other educational materials such as books and videos. There are many children's books and videos available to help you teach your kids about the importance of brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist. Call us or visit the library to find some of these tools.
   
   
9. Bring kids to the dentist early and let them watch you or an older sibling have their teeth cleaned. The earlier you bring kids here, the more comfortable they will feel here. This allows the child to see the process and understand that it is not a painful experience.
   
   
10. Make a game of brushing. Find ways to make brushing fun for your children. For example, play your child's favorite song while he is brushing his teeth and tell him that he should brush until the song ends. Games help children to associate positive feelings with brushing, as well as teach children to brush their teeth for the appropriate length of time, which is at least two minutes.