kid snippets dentist visit

Kid Snippets: "Dentist Visit" (Imagined by Kids)

9 years ago

Kid Snippets
Senior Snippets
Kid Snippets News
Kid History
Kid Critics/Movie Trailers
Outtakes/Bloopers
Event Footage
T-Shirts, DVD’s & More!

Kid Snippets: “Dentist Visit” (Imagined by Kids)

About Bored Shorts TV

Comments closed.

Comments are closed. You will not be able to post a comment in this post.

T-Shirts, DVD’s & More
Media Contact: b (at) boredshorts.tv
Collaboration Contact: d (at) boredshorts.tv

Optio Dentistry

Internet marketing, patient education.

Use dental patient education to support your internal and external marketing efforts.

Patient education videos for your website and for use in your office.

Share valuable information with patients through your waiting room TV.

Attract new patients online 24/7.

Take a look at some of the dental websites we have designed and developed for our clients.

Attract new patients with SEO, search advertising, and social media strategies.

Gain trust and reach new patients in your community.

Build your brand with dental video marketing campaigns.

Our Company

We’re proud to provide opportunities for dentists and dental professionals to learn about internet marketing. Feel free to browse our blog or contact us with any questions. We’re here to help!

Learn the best strategies to market your dental practice.

Let’s talk about growing your practice. Get in touch with us today!

Puppets show kids that going to the dentist is fun!

Watch Video: Ricky's First Visit

This project started with a simple idea – if a child knows what to expect during their first dental visit, they won’t be as timid. If the child is more relaxed, the dentist’s job is much easier. So we got to work adding a live-action video to our popular Kids Zone product that dentists can lease for their website.

Our first step was to research successful childrens’ television shows to see which concepts work and which ones flop. I think our staff watched more episodes of Sesame Street and Blue’s Clues in one day than the average two-year-old watches in a month.

Two sewing-savvy Optio employees actually constructed them by hand, and even did “personal shopping” to find them outfits and accessories. We thought it important to give each puppet its own personality, and traits that would make them memorable to children. Ricky is a little shy, yet inquisitive. Dr. Molar is goofy, clumsy and knowledgeable.

Then we created a custom studio. The back room of our office was transformed into a whimsical dentist’s office. Our videographer painted the walls to look like a dental practice, decorated with some greenery, and built a dentist’s chair.

Finally, it was time to find the right actors to play Dr. Molar and Ricky the Rabbit. Our account manger held auditions and found two local actors who wowed us with their talent.

During the filming process, working at Optio Publishing felt like working at Toys ’R' Us. Our puppet buddies started to feel like part of the team, and watching the actors breathe life into them was so much fun! There were even a few mad dashes through the city searching for hilariously random items — like puppet-sized dental tools. Um, not easy to find!

We’re so proud of our finished video — the first of many productions starring Ricky the Rabbit and Dr. Molar. Stay tuned, because more videos will be added to our Kids Zone product soon!

How do you choose the best internet marketing agency for your dental practice? This free PDF guide makes it easy to understand services like Website design, SEO, AdWords, and Facebook and helps you to make an objective decision.

Search form

Dental marketing 101.

Why dental practices benefit from custom photography online
Reach potential patients online —whether or not they’re actually looking for a dentist
Building Your Dental Practice with Citations
Evaluating Your Dental Website
Search Engine Optimization 101

Top 3 Ways Dentists Use Patient Education
Announcing the New Optio Dentistry
Making the most of Optio Dentistry Videos
Market your dental office with patient education
Optio Dentistry App: Beta Release

PopScreen - Video Search, Bookmarking and Discovery Engine

Not a member? Join now!

Email or password is incorrect. Please try again.

Plese enter Email and password

Username or email

Password Forgot password?

Keep me logged in on this computer

Oops! the email address you entered is invalid. Please try again.

this email address already registerd with us. Please try again.

Choose a Username Available!

Email Address

By clicking on 'Join' button, you confirm that you are over 13 years of age and agree to the Terms of Service & Privacy Policy

Need help with your password?

The email you entered is not registered with us.

Please enter the email address.

This account has been suspended due to strange activity.

Enter account email address

Instructions on how to reset your password have been sent to your email.

Cool, I'm done

Your message has been sent. We will get back to you in 24 hours. Thank you.

Found a bug? Suggestions Copyright Need help? Business Development General inquiry

Email address (optional):

A message is required

Message (required):

Add a screenshot (optional): 500k. max JPG, GIF, PNG

Send Message Cancel

Press & Buzz
© 2017 PopScreen.com
Copyright (DMCA)

Crafting Happy Smiles: A Guide to Making Kids’ Dentist Visits Enjoyable

Even for the little ones, going to the dentist could be a terrifying experience. Fears may begin to surface in the strange dental exam procedure and the unfamiliar clinic. But if you want your child to grow up with a healthy smile and normal jaw development, it’s important to start taking them to the dentist regularly, even when they’re little. That’s why the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry states that children should see a dentist no later than their first birthday. When they’re little, they can get into the swing of things and make subsequent visits much easier.

You have come to the right place if you are seeking methods to greatly simplify the process of taking your child to the dentist. In this guide, we will explore various ways to make the dentist for kids a less intimidating and more enjoyable experience. Join us as we navigate the path to crafting happy smiles, ensuring that your child’s dentist visit is as comforting and cheerful as possible.

Preparing Your Child for a Stress-Free Trip to the Dentist

Preparing your little one for a stress-free trip to the dentist is crucial in ensuring a positive experience. It’s all about setting the right expectations and making them comfortable with the idea of going to the dentist. Start by having open conversations about what they can expect, and maybe even share some of your own experiences. Introduce them to the concept gently, perhaps through children’s books or fun videos about the dentist for kids.

For those first timers, consider playing pretend dentist games at home to demystify the process. Remember, the goal is to make your child’s dentist visit seem like an exciting adventure rather than a daunting task. With the right preparation, each visit can be a step towards instilling healthy dental habits in your child, ensuring they grow up with not just a healthy smile but also a confident attitude towards dental care.

Role of Positive Reinforcement During Dental Visits

When going to the dentist, how you frame and reward the experience may make or break your visit. This is especially true when taking a young child to the dentist; a little bit of encouragement may change their attitude. Be sure to compliment your youngster on their courage and cooperation both before and after the challenging event. Small tokens of appreciation, like a gift or incentive, can go a long way toward improving their opinions of future visits.

Actually, encouraging good behavior at the dentist is essential to building a trusting connection with your child’s oral health care provider. Thanking them for being brave will make their current appointment more bearable and set a good tone for their future dental checkups. By framing dental care as a process leading to good results, this method can help your kid overcome any anxiety they may have about going to the dentist and encourage them to look forward to their cleanings and exams.

Distraction Techniques for Anxious Kids at the Dentist

When it comes to managing anxiety for kids at the dentist , distraction techniques can be incredibly effective. These strategies are especially helpful for toddlers who might feel overwhelmed or scared. Here are some proven distraction techniques:

Storytelling and Imaginative Play

Get your kid thinking about what it might be like to see the dentist by starting a story about a courageous character. By drawing them into the narrative, this serves to both distract them and give them empowerment. It’s an imaginative and entertaining approach to easing anxiety about going to the dentist.

Interactive Toys or Gadgets

Be sure to bring your kid’s beloved plaything or small technological device. Bringing these things from home might help patients feel more at ease and at home in the strange setting of the dentist’s office. They work well in keeping the child’s hands and mind occupied.

Watching Cartoons or Videos

You can use your own device or one of the dental clinic’s displays to play their favorite movie or cartoon. One certain way to grab a kid’s attention is with a visual distraction. This might make them forget that the dental work is taking place.

Music or Audiobooks

Listen to calming music or an interesting audiobook with your youngster. With this aural diversion, they may unwind and divert their attention from the dental work at hand. Make sure the subject matter tickles their fancy.

Counting Games

Suggest a game where they mentally count objects or count everything in the room. Not only does it keep their attention, but it also stimulates their brains. Keeping children busy in this way is easy yet effective.

Kid-Friendly Waiting Room Activities for Toddlers at the Dentist

To help children feel more comfortable visiting the dentist, it is recommended to make the waiting area a more kid-friendly space. They will feel like the wait is going faster if you provide them something to do while they wait. A time-honored option, coloring books and crayons provide kids with a creative outlet. They may have fun while learning about dental care by coloring pictures that are relevant to the matter. Puzzles and stuffed animals in an interactive play area may be a lot of fun, too.

These designated play areas not only occupy toddlers’ time but also encourage them to engage with one another, creating a more laid-back and friendly environment. Finally, it can be reassuring and educational to have a children’s book corner stocked with a range of books, particularly ones that are related to dental care or going to the dentist. Not only can these things keep children occupied during the waiting time, but they also help them develop a pleasant relationship with the dentist, which is crucial for their future oral health.

Playful Introduction to Dental Tools

For children, particularly those experiencing their first visit to the dentist , a lighthearted introduction to dental instruments can help to alleviate any anxiety they may have about the appointment. One effective strategy for this is to incorporate a show-and-tell into the introduction. With the use of simple, kid-friendly terminology, the dentist may introduce the youngster to each tool—the mirror, the probe, and the brush—and explain its purpose.

For example, the dental mirror may be referred to as a “tooth mirror,” and the probe as a “tooth explorer.” They could also give the instruments interesting and creative names. In this way, the instruments take on a more human quality, resembling characters in a book. Making the tools familiar and less terrifying by letting the youngster touch and handle them (when it is safe to do so) is another excellent strategy. The child’s perspective might change from being afraid of the tools to being curious about them when this method is used. Young patients need a friendly, trusting relationship with their dentist before they can have a positive experience there. A lighthearted introduction like this one is perfect for that.

Interactive Learning about Oral Hygiene for Kids

If we want our children to develop good dental hygiene habits that will last a lifetime, we must teach them in an engaging and dynamic approach. Oral hygiene instruction for children through interactive learning may be a win-win: it can take boring tasks and make them more interesting. Using fun and engaging dental applications or games to teach proper brushing and flossing procedures is one excellent strategy. The inclusion of animations and entertaining characters in these digital tools makes learning more engaging for youngsters. Another strategy is to arrange for practical exercises, such as brushing a huge model of teeth, which not only shows the right way to do it but also helps kids remember what they’ve learned.

Arts and crafts projects like constructing a toothbrush or a plate for a nutritious meal are other great examples of hands-on activities that bring learning to life. With these, children learn about the need for good dental hygiene in an engaging and memorable way through these interactive approaches, which also provide them the tools they need to be active participants in their own dental health journey.

Creating a Comfortable Treatment Environment

Kids could feel scared when they see the big chair, sharp instruments, and dental tools in the dentist’s office. In order to alleviate children’s fears of dentists and other dental treatments, it is crucial that the dental clinic’s waiting room be warm and welcoming. The decor is the first point of contact and should be lively, vibrant, and interesting. Think about hanging up some lively murals or posters depicting cartoon characters or animals instead of dull artwork and clinical white walls.

Diffusing essential oils in the therapy room is one method to help youngsters relax during their visit. For young patients, this is an all-natural method of calming down in the treatment chair.

In addition to making aesthetic adjustments, dentists may make the office a more welcoming place for kids by modeling positive behavior and language while interacting with them. Put terms like “needle” and “drill” out of their minds; instead, use terminology that children can easily grasp. Consider how much more manageable the phrase “cleaning your teeth” is compared to the more daunting “scraping plaque off your teeth.”

Choosing the Right Pediatric Dentist

Selecting the right pediatric dentist is a critical decision for your child’s long-term dental health. Here are some key points to consider when choosing the right dentist:

Evaluate Communication Style

A great pediatric dentist communicates effectively with both the child and the parent. They should be able to explain procedures in a way that is easy for children to understand and be patient in answering any questions.

Read Reviews and Get Referrals

Check online reviews and ask friends and family for recommendations. Personal experiences can give you a good idea of what to expect and help you find a dentist who has a proven record of providing quality care.

Check for Parental Involvement

Choose a dentist who encourages parental involvement in the dental visits. This is especially important for toddlers and younger children, as the presence of a parent during the initial visits can significantly reduce anxiety.

Observe the Dental Environment

The atmosphere of the dental clinic should be welcoming and child-friendly. A good pediatric dental office will have a bright, cheerful decor, and possibly a play area, to make children feel more at ease. The staff should be warm and experienced in dealing with young patients.

Consider Convenience

Look for a dentist who is conveniently located and has office hours that fit your schedule. This makes regular visits less of a hassle, ensuring that your child’s dental care is consistent. It could also make it easier for your child to adjust, since it is not necessarily a whole new environment.

Discover a World of Gentle and Fun Dental Care at Junior Smiles of Stafford!

The journey to ensuring your child has a positive experience at the dentist is filled with various strategies, from preparing them for their visit to choosing the right pediatric dentist. Remember, the goal is to make dental visits a routine part of your child’s healthcare, building towards a future of healthy smiles and good oral hygiene. It’s about creating an environment that’s not only comforting but also educational and engaging for your child. By following the tips and techniques discussed in this guide, you can help alleviate any fears or anxieties your child may have and turn dental visits into a positive, empowering experience.

At Junior Smiles of Stafford we understand the importance of making dental visits enjoyable and stress-free for kids. Our team of compassionate professionals is dedicated to providing the best dental care in a warm, kid-friendly environment. We believe in crafting happy smiles and building lasting relationships with our little patients. Let us be a part of your child’s journey to excellent oral health. Book an appointment today and experience why families in VA trust us for their children’s dental needs.

Second Opinion

A Child's First Dental Visit Fact Sheet

When should your child first see a dentist? You can take your child at a younger age, but experts recommend taking him or her within 6 months of the first tooth coming in (erupting), or by about 12 months at the latest.

At this time, the dentist can give you information on:

Baby bottle tooth decay

Infant feeding practices

Mouth cleaning

Pacifier habits

Finger-sucking habits

Prepare your child

If possible, schedule morning appointments so young children are alert and fresh.

Prepare a preschooler or older child for the visit by giving him or her a general idea of what to expect. Explain why it is important to go to the dentist. Build excitement and understanding.

Prepare yourself

Discuss your questions and concerns with the dentist. Remember that your feeling toward dental visits can be quite different from your child's. Be honest with your view of the dentist. If you have dental anxieties, be careful not to relate those fears or dislikes to your child. Parents need to give moral support by staying calm while in the dental exam room. Children can pick up parents' anxieties and become anxious themselves.

Prepare the dentist

At the first visit, give the dentist your child's complete health history. For a restoration visit, such as getting a cavity filled, tell the dentist if your child tends to be stubborn, defiant, anxious, or fearful in other situations.

Watch how your child reacts. Many parents are able to guess how their child will respond and should tell the dentist. Certain behaviors may be linked to your child's age:

10 to 24 months. Some securely attached children may get upset when taken from their parents for an exam.

2 to 3 years. A securely attached child may be able to cope with a brief separation from parents. In a 2-year-old, "no" may be a common response.

3 years. Three-year-olds may not be OK being apart from a parent when having a dental procedure such as getting a cavity filled. This is because most 3-year-olds are not socially mature enough to separate from parents.

4 years. Most children should be able to sit in another room from parents for exams and treatment procedures.

The first visit

Your child's first dental visit is to help your child feel comfortable with the dentist. The first dental visit is recommended by 12 months of age, or within 6 months of the first tooth coming in. The first visit often lasts 30 to 45 minutes. Depending on your child's age, the visit may include a full exam of the teeth, jaws, bite, gums, and oral tissues to check growth and development. If needed, your child may also have a gentle cleaning. This includes polishing teeth and removing any plaque, tartar, and stains. The dentist may show you and your child proper home cleaning such as flossing, and advise you on the need for fluoride. Baby teeth fall out, so X-rays aren’t often done. But your child's dentist may recommend X-rays to diagnose decay, depending on your child's age. X-rays are also used to see if the root of a jammed baby tooth may be affecting an adult tooth. In general, it is best that young children not have dental X-rays unless absolutely needed.

The second visit

Just like adults, children should see the dentist every 6 months. Some dentists may schedule visits more often, such as every 3 months. This can build comfort and confidence in the child. More frequent visits can also help keep an eye on a development problem.

Protect your children's teeth at home

Here are some tips to protect your children's teeth:

Before teeth come in, clean gums with a clean, damp cloth.

Start brushing with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and a very small amount of toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) when your child's first tooth appears. Use a pea-sized dab of fluoridated toothpaste after 3 years of age. This is when the child is old enough to spit out the toothpaste after brushing.

Prevent baby bottle tooth decay. Don't give children a bottle of milk, juice, or sweetened liquid at bedtime or when put down to nap.

Limit the time your child has a bottle. Your child should empty a bottle in 5 to 6 minutes or less.

Help your child brush his or her own teeth until age 7 or 8. Have the child watch you brush, and follow the same brushing pattern to reduce missed spots.

Limit foods and treats that increase tooth decay. This includes hard or sticky candies, fruit leather, and sweetened drinks and juice. Offer fruit rather than juice. The fiber in fruit tends to scrape the teeth clean. Juice just exposes the teeth to sugar.

Oral Health and Dental Specialists
Pediatric Cardiology
Anatomy and Development of the Mouth and Teeth

How to Prepare Your Child for Their First Dental Visit

Verywell / Madelyn Goodnight

What to Expect

Choosing a dentist.

Getting Ready For The Visit

Preparing as a Parent

One of the most frequently asked questions I get as a Pediatric Dentist is, “When should I bring my baby in for their first dental visit?”

The Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child should visit the dentist when the first tooth appears or no later than their first birthday. While it may sound early, starting at that age will start your baby on a path for great oral health and prevent a number of dental problems that can occur during childhood.

The first visit gives parents a chance to become educated on how to properly care for their child's teeth and gives children a chance to become comfortable with the dental environment at an early age.

At the first visit, the dentist will examine your baby's mouth to make sure everything is growing and developing properly and will check for dental caries, tongue ties, and any signs of injuries.

The dentist will typically tell you everything you need to know to keep your child's teeth healthy including:

What kind of toothpaste and toothbrush to use
Brushing and flossing techniques
How to relieve teething discomfort
Which foods and drinks cause cavities
Answers to questions about pacifier use and thumb-sucking.

The examination and cleaning itself can take just a few minutes, but most of the time is spent on making the child feel comfortable and educating the parents. You should not expect the overall visit to take a long time.

The first step is finding a Pediatric Dentist for your child. Pediatric Dentists have two to three additional years of training after dental school during which they extensively study child development, behavior management of patients from infancy to adolescence, and how best to work with special needs children.

Most Pediatric Dentists will aim to provide a fun environment with toys, stickers, TVs, games, yummy flavored toothpaste, and staff that enjoy working with children. When children are having fun, they gain trust in the dentist and staff, and will often enjoy their visits and look forward to their next appointment.

Where to Find a Dentist

To find a Pediatric Dentist in your area, you can Google nearby pediatric dentists, talk to other parents you know for recommendations, and ask your child's pediatrician or your own dentist. If you have dental insurance, you can search for a Pediatric Dentist through your list of participating providers.

Getting Ready For Your Child's Visit

When you have decided on an office, call them to schedule a visit. Young children tend to do their best in the morning when they are fresh and full of energy. Avoid scheduling appointments late in the day or close to nap times when children can be groggy or cranky.

You can inquire if it is possible for you and your child to come to the office for a tour and to meet the doctor before the actual day of the checkup. If your child has any special needs, discuss it with the staff member that schedules your appointment. The dentist will often want a little extra time scheduled for this.

If there is something in particular that keeps your child calm and happy (a song they like to hear, a video they like to watch or simply a color they like), let the dentist know so they can try to incorporate that into the visit.

Mental Preparation

Once you have an appointment scheduled, start preparing your child for the visit. Children learn best when they are having fun. You can practice giving their stuffed animal a checkup with a toy mirror.

Your child can bring that same stuffed animal to the dental visit to get a check-up by the dentist. Read books to them. I recommend:

Show Me Your Smile! A Visit to the Dentist (Dora the Explorer)
Dentist Trip (Peppa Pig)
Elmo Visits the Dentist by P.J. Shaw

You can also watch one of the many YouTube videos about going to the dentist, such as Daniel Tiger's .

Put Them At Ease

When talking to your child about their upcoming trip to the dentist, you can assure them that there are no shots at this visit and that the dentist will simply examine and brush their teeth and talk to them about how to keep their teeth healthy.

Let them know that the dentist will show them all of the tools and explain all of the procedures before starting. You can also plan a treat (not candy or junk food) such as a trip to the park or toy store should they need a little extra motivation.

Anticipating Follow Up Visits

Once you've completed your first visit, it's time to start preparing your child for their second visit! Discuss the visit with your child and remind them of the positive things that happened such as:

There were no shots
Nothing hurt
The toothpaste tasted great
The toothbrush tickled
The dentist counted all of your teeth and now we know how many teeth you have
You got prizes and a new toothbrush at the end
Next time we go there, we'll get these fun prizes all over again!

To prepare yourself, come on time, if possible a few minutes earlier to fill out any registration and consent forms that may be needed. Many offices have their registration forms on their website so you can fill them out in advance.

Give your dentist a complete health history of your child. If your child is taking any medications, have a list of the medications and dosages. Have your child's pediatrician's contact information available.

If you have any particular questions that you want the dentist to address, write them down so you don't forget to ask them if the dentist doesn't bring those topics up.

It is also important to have reasonable expectations of your child. During the visit, some children may open their mouths willingly and enjoy the experience, while some will not, just as some do not enjoy getting haircuts or wearing seatbelts. Luckily, with preparation and sticking to a regular recall schedule (typically every six months), the visits will get easier and more enjoyable each time.

Many children that may start out fearful or anxious can become patients that love going to the dentist once they've been a few times.

By Rashmi Ambewadikar, DDS Rashmi Ambewadikar, DDS is a pediatric dentist practicing in Queens, New York and is the owner of Astoria Smiles Pediatric Dentistry.

Top Dentist Jokes & Riddles for Kids

Going to the dentist can be a scary experience for children, but dental humor can help alleviate their fears and make dental visits more enjoyable. That’s why we’ve curated the top 10 dentist jokes and riddles specifically for kids that will make them laugh out loud!

Key Takeaways

Introducing dental humor to children can help alleviate their fears and anxiety related to dental visits.
Using humor is a great way to engage children in oral hygiene practices.
The top 10 dentist jokes and riddles for kids are specifically curated to make dental visits more fun and enjoyable for children.

Why Dental Humor for Kids Matters

As parents, we understand the importance of good oral hygiene for our children. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups are essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. However, dental visits can be a source of anxiety and fear for many children. That’s where dental humor comes in!

The best dentist jokes for young ones can help alleviate fear and anxiety associated with dental visits. By incorporating dental humor, children are more likely to have a positive attitude towards oral hygiene and dental care. Plus, laughing and having fun can distract them from any discomfort they may feel during dental procedures.

Dental humor can also be used to engage children in oral hygiene practices. Funny dentist riddles for kids can make brushing and flossing a fun experience. Children who enjoy taking care of their teeth are more likely to continue good oral hygiene habits throughout their lives.

Why Dental Humor for Kids Matters:

Helps alleviate dental visit anxiety and fear
Promotes positive attitude towards oral hygiene and dental care
Distracts children from discomfort during dental procedures
Engages children in oral hygiene practices
Makes brushing and flossing a fun experience

Overall, incorporating dental humor for kids can have a positive impact on their oral health and well-being. So, go ahead, tell them a dental joke or riddle and watch them smile!

Funny Dentist Jokes for Kids

Ready for some laughs? These five dentist jokes for kids are sure to make you smile:

Hope you had a good laugh!

Dental Riddles That Will Make Kids Giggle

Looking for some fun dental-related riddles for kids? Look no further! Here are five dental riddles that are sure to make your little ones giggle:

These hilarious dental riddles are sure to bring a smile to any child’s face. And who knows, they might even make a trip to the dentist a little less scary!

How to Use Dentist Jokes and Riddles to Make Oral Hygiene Fun

Oral hygiene can be boring and tiresome for children, but incorporating humor can make it a fun experience. Here are some creative ways to use dentist jokes and riddles to make oral hygiene enjoyable:

Create a joke or riddle of the day related to oral health and share it during brushing time.
Use jokes and riddles to distract children during dental visits, reducing anxiety and stress.
Make up silly songs or rhymes with dental themes to sing during brushing time.
Incorporate humor while discussing important dental care habits like flossing and rinsing.

By using humor, parents and caregivers can make oral hygiene a fun and positive experience for children. Incorporating dentist jokes and riddles can also help instill good dental care habits that will last a lifetime.

Share the Laughter: Dental Jokes and Riddles for Family and Friends

Laughter is contagious and sharing funny moments can bring people together. So why not spread the joy by telling the top 10 dentist jokes and riddles for kids to your family and friends?

Not only will it brighten up their day, but it may also encourage them to take better care of their teeth. Dental humor can help break down the fear and anxiety associated with dental visits and make oral hygiene a fun experience.

So next time you’re gathered around with loved ones, try out one of these hilarious dentist riddles for children:

He had bat breath!

A tooth ferry!

Because he lost his filling!

He braces himself!

Because it saw the toothbrush!

Remember, dental humor isn’t just for kids. These dentist jokes and riddles are sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Chicago Dental Office: Schedule an Appointment with Larry A. Fisher

If you’re looking for a reliable and friendly dentist for your child, look no further than the Chicago dental offices of Larry A. Fisher. Our team is dedicated to helping children maintain healthy and happy smiles.

We offer a range of services, from regular check-ups to advanced treatments, all in a comfortable and welcoming environment. Our staff is experienced and knowledgeable, ensuring that each visit is stress-free and enjoyable for your child.

We understand that dental visits can be intimidating for some children, which is why we strive to create a positive experience for each and every one. Let us help your child develop healthy oral habits and a confident smile. Schedule an appointment with us today!

In conclusion, dental humor for kids is an excellent way to engage children in oral hygiene practices and alleviate their fear of dental visits. By incorporating funny dentist riddles and jokes, parents and caregivers can make dental care a fun experience, rather than a daunting one.

We hope that our top 10 dentist jokes and riddles for kids have brought a smile to your young one’s face. Remember, laughter is contagious, so don’t be afraid to share the joy with family and friends. The more we can incorporate humor into our daily lives, the happier we’ll be!

Don’t forget to schedule an appointment with Larry A. Fisher, your trusted Chicago dentist. Contact our office today to book your next dental check-up.

Thank you for taking the time to read our article. Keep the laughter alive and happy brushing!

(773) 282-4508

—> online dental contact form, 🪥chicago dental posts.

🦷 Chicago Dental Care Near Me

🦷 Emergency Dental Care in Chicago

🦷 Dentist Open on Saturday Near Me

🦷 Best Dentist in Chicago Larry Fisher

🦷 View other Dental Blog Posts & FAQs

How It Works
Member Benefits
Find A Provider

15 Clever Ideas for Helping Your Child Visit the Dentist

Written by: Carefree Dental | Published On: March 22, 2016

Taking children to the dentist can be stressful. But there are ways to make dental appointments less scary. Read these clever ideas to avoid tears and tantrums.

Photo from makelessnoise on Flickr .

As parents, we are used to soothing grazed knees and unravelling fears and phobias. Yet, what happens if a child is frightened of something that we have also come to fear? How do you go about teaching your little one that some fears simply have to be conquered, if you are having trouble doing so yourself?

Take a fear of the dentist, for example. Clearly, this represents an unhealthy anxiety and one which has the potential to cause serious health problems if not defeated. So, every parent wants to be able to take their child to the dentist for check-up appointments and routine procedures.

The reality is that this can be difficult for parents who spend a lot of time worrying about their own dentist appointments. This is why the health of infant teeth always starts at home. If you do not keep to a proper brushing schedule and maintain the health of your teeth, as recommended by your dental professional, it will impossible to convince children to do so too.

They lead by example, so give them a good one and start teaching them about good dental health and hygiene from an early age – in fact, as early as is appropriate. For most children, this is around 3-4 years, because this is when most infants first begin to make an intellectual connection between their actions and their bodies.

Why Good Dental Health Always Starts at Home

If you have a child who is around this age and you are confident of their ability to learn and understand about the dentist, start to teach them about how important their teeth are. This does not have to be an intensive ‘sit down’ lecture. You just have to incorporate learning into the daily routine. While you are helping them to brush their teeth before school, talk about why doing so is important.

Ask your child for their opinion, by posing questions. For instance, ask them what they think their teeth are made out of. Ask them why they think brushing is special and what kinds of things they can do to keep their teeth strong. It is recommended that a child have their first dental appointment between the ages of 1-6 months, soon after the first baby tooth has emerged.

However, a child of this age is simply not going to understand why they are in the dentist chair or what is happening, so it is not really of any use to try and teach an infant about dental health before this point. For very young babies and toddlers, it is all about distraction and maintaining a calm atmosphere, so that the little one does not pick up on any negativity and panic.

As a child starts to get older, you really do need to pull more out of the bag than a cuddly toy or a peekaboo face. In fact, as a child ages and starts to understand more about what is happening, distraction techniques can actually do more harm than good. As aforementioned, if you are open and honest about what is happening and why it needs to happen, children can be encouraged to start taking responsibility for their own teeth.

These handy tips and tricks will help you to get your child to the dentist with as little stress and fear as possible.

Start Dental Visits Early

This is the piece of advice that can make all the difference to how easy your child finds dental appointments. While sitting in that chair will always feel strange and unnerving in many ways – it still does for parents – the more common it is, the less anxiety it will provoke. This is why it is important to follow the recommendation of dentists everywhere and start routine check-ups from around 3-6 months .

If your child is five or six and, suddenly, you introduce this strange new world of white rooms, funny smells, and probing hands, it is bound to be scary. But, if your little one grows up with memories of visiting for routine appointments, it is just going to feel like a normal part of life. Do not forget that the success of this advice starts with you. Your child needs to see that this is a normal and regular part of your life too, so do not shirk your own appointments.

Take a Fun Tour of the Office

The stereotype of the stern dentist, with the indelicate fingers and sharp tongue, is extremely outdated. These days, dental specialists go to great lengths to make patients (of all ages and sizes) feel comfortable in the chair. They are not there to lecture, only to educate and help you make the right decisions. So, do not be afraid to talk to your dental specialist.

The majority of dentists are eager to help parents and educators dispel the mystery around dental appointments. It is common for nurseries and pre-schools to take trips to dentist surgeries, in order to get a look at the tools, talk to the nurses, learn about dental hygiene, and get further acquainted with this kind of clinical environment. If this does not happen at your child’s pre-school, ask your local surgery if there is any chance of a quick tour.

Steer Clear of Negative Words

This can be a tricky thing to do, because most parents speak about the dentist in a very specific way. You might not even realise that you are doing it, but if you have a tendency to describe the dentist using negative words, stop. This is particularly important for ‘H’ (hurt) and ‘P’ (pain) words. Also, try to avoid terms like ‘shot,’ especially if your child has had a stressful experience with needles in the past. The trick is not to lie to a child, but to do all that you can from colouring their experience before it has occurred.

The best example of this can be found when babies and toddlers fall down. In the vast majority of cases, a baby only starts to cry once its parents have rushed to the rescue and made it clear that a bad thing has happened. If you do not worry, fuss, or stress about the child, they will usually just get up and carry on. This is what happens if a child hears a parent constantly talk about the dentist as a scary, painful, and daunting experience. Even if their own visit is routine and involves little probing and no pain, they are likely to panic anyway.

Play Pretend Dentist at Home

As you can see, many of these tips and tricks do not have to involve the actual dentist at all. This is what it means to start dental education at home, as early as possible. The dentist office is a strange place. The noises are unusual, the grown-ups are dressed funny, and the smells are not like anything experienced at home or school. This is why it is vital to get a child acquainted with some of the little details common to dental appointments. If you can make the experience fun, go ahead and do so.

Why not buy a small dental mirror online and play ‘pretend’ dentist with your child? Give them the mirror and the ‘counting stick’ and ask them to count your teeth. Encourage them to give an opinion on the health of your mouth too. If you have fillings, make it clear that these are to be avoided, but you must explain why. If you are going to educate a child about dental procedures, it is important to explain in a way which does not introduce fear. Yes, fillings are for naughty teeth, but sometimes they are necessary.

Avoid Resorting to Bribes

Again, this can be difficult, but bribing your child as a way to get them to comply with dental appointments will only reinforce the idea that check-ups are a bad and scary thing. You need to be sticking rigidly to the notion that a check-up is just no big deal. It happens every now and then. It is usually pretty fast and there is nothing to worry about. It is especially important to avoid bribery with candy or fizzy drinks, for obvious reasons.

On the other hand, it is okay (and encouraged) for parents to naturally introduce a treat or reward for after the appointment. The best way to do this is, again, make no ceremony or pomp about it. If your child always behaves well at the dentist and routinely gets a treat or is taken somewhere fun afterwards, they will naturally start to associate this with good performance. After a while, the two experiences will become intermingled and just a mere mention of the dentist will trigger positive emotions.

Remember to Eat Beforehand

It is common for parents to withhold food until after the dentist, both for the sake of convenience and because it makes it easy to say ‘We’ll go for snacks if you sit nicely and do as you are told.’ This is a bad idea, however, because nothing makes a little one grouchier than an empty stomach. While it is a good idea to stick to light foods, just in case there is any queasiness or stomach ache, don’t be afraid to feed your child before an appointment.

Again, avoid fizzy drinks and candy because this only creates a conflicting message. If you let your child drink soda right before an appointment and then the dentist starts talking about how damaging it is, they will get confused. If your child is scheduled to have a dental procedure and you are not sure whether they should eat beforehand, ask your dentist for advice.

Try Not to Give Empty Promises

It is not easy for parents to watch children get scared or panic during a dental appointment. If a parent has their own fear of the dentist, they can be tempted to provide too much emotional comfort, even before the appointment has happened. All that this does is reinforce ideas about check-ups being bad and scary, so do try to keep your personal responses practical and sensible. Wherever possible, be open and honest with your child.

This is tricky, but it will do your child the world of good. What it does not mean is talk about pain or hurt or describe gory dental procedures. What it does mean is avoiding direct lies and empty promises. So again, if your child is not talking about pain or asking if the visit to the dentist will hurt, there is no reason for you to introduce this fear at all. If it is not something that your little one is worried about, there is simply need to say whether it will or will not hurt.

Give Them Some Control Back

As parents, we tend to forget how terrifying it must be to be a child, subject to all of the confusing and bewildering whims of grown-ups. This is especially true at the dentist. They are ushered from this waiting room to this chair. They are instructed to sit still and say ‘Aaaah’ and ‘be a good boy.’ Ultimately, even the amount of orders given can be daunting for a little one. However, you can alleviate the stress by giving your child some control in the littlest of ways.

For instance, try to avoid things like pulling your child into the appointment room when their name is called. Instead, while you wait, explain what will happen and let them listen for their own name. When it is called, let them inform you themselves. Trust that, as they are a big boy or girl, they know what to do when this happens. Let your child lead the way into the appointment room, if they are confident enough to do so. If they are feeling really chirpy, you can even encourage them to shake hands with the dentist.

Overlook Comfort Objects and Toys

Even if you generally try to avoid carting things like comfort blankets and toys around with you whilst away from home, it is important to acknowledge that they can be really useful in times of stress or anxiety. You do not have to make a big deal out of it, just allow your child to hold on to whatever item or object makes them feel happy if they express a need for it.

In fact, for older children, things like picture books and portable games consoles, while generally discouraged in other social situations, can provide an excellent remedy for probing fingers and even shots. However, do not allow your child to take anything into the surgery that is going to make accessing their mouth even harder. Turning their attention away is fine, but toys which are overly big or bulky are just going to get in the way.

Dress Your Child Comfortably

There are a lot of parents who worry about their children looking too casual or shabby for a dental appointment. As this is a fairly formal and quite rare occasion, it can be tempting to dress your little one up a bit. However, you are advised to keep things as loose and casual as possible. The more physically comfortable your child feels, the easier it will be to speed through the appointment and get a sticker and a word of praise afterwards.

So, think loose materials and nothing too restrictive. If your child is heading to the dentist straight after school, do not get too worked up about tucked in shirts or tidy jumpers. The dental specialist really does not mind how your little one is dressed, so long as they are comfortable, happy, and willing to let them get the job done without stress and fuss. In other words, just try not to fuss or get too flustered yourself, because they will pick up on it.

Stay in the Room at All Times

Your presence, even without soothing words or one on one attention, will naturally put your child at ease. It takes only a second of absence to instil fear – just think about how quickly some children panic if they lose sight of their parent in a supermarket – so be a source of comfort simply by staying put. It can also help to keep talking. You have noticed that dental specialists are fond of chatting, even while performing procedures.

This is because too much empty silence is unnerving. So, even if your child cannot see you (you may be sat behind the chair or their head may be tilted), reassure them of your presence by keeping up a conversation with both them and the dentist. This is should be easy to do, because you dental specialist is likely to be quite the expert in the art of small talk.

Explain the Importance of Touch

This can be one of the most difficult aspects of the dentist to explain to a child. There are lots of educational picture books designed to teach little ones that it is okay for a dental health specialist to physically touch their mouths. And, of course, this is fine, but it is extremely important that you pick your wording carefully here. For a lot parents, simply saying that it is okay for the man or lady to touch you is, for obvious reasons, not very helpful.

So, explain to your child that contact will be made. This is essential, because they need to know to expect an examination and that it is nothing to panic about. Yet, they must also know that this is a special situation and that a dentist is the only stranger qualified to do this. It is entirely up to you how you give this lesson, it is just worth remembering that some educational resources (especially picture books) do not make the distinction between safe and unsafe contact from an adult.

Invent a ‘Safety Signal’

Once again, the trick to getting a child to cope with the strangeness of the dentist is simply to avoid stress, panic, and fear from as early an age as possible. The easiest way to do this is through communication. So, as already mentioned, avoid using negative words and associations. The minutes that you introduce words like ‘pain,’ ‘hurt,’ or ‘cry,’ you legitimise them and make them an expected part of the experience.

If you are worried that your child might get frightened and panic while in the dentist chair, particularly when they are with their mouth open and feeling vulnerable, talk to them beforehand and come up with a ‘safety signal.’ This should be something very simple, preferably using the hands, because talking may be difficult during examinations. Let your child know that if they give you this signal, you will tell the dentist to briefly step away and allow them a few moments to carry out deep breathing, hold your hand, or squeeze a cuddly toy.

Stay Calm and Relaxed

In many ways, this is the single most important piece of advice, because children take all of their emotional cues from their parents. If your child is unsure about whether or not a visit to the dentist is supposed to be frightening, your responses will be their guide. If you are pacing the room, casting worried glances at the dentist, or turning away during the examination, your child will instantly pick up on your anxiety.

In fact, parental fears can be so damaging for children, especially in this situation, that if you have an actual phobia of the dentist, it is probably best to get somebody else to accompany your child to appointments. Remember that you are trying to do what is best for them and that your own neuroses are not relevant to their experience. This can be an emotional challenge, but it really is the best thing for the health of your child’s teeth and mouth.

Seek the Help of a Child Specialist

If you have tried all of the tips and tricks listed above and you still have problems getting your child to sit through stress free dental appointments, it could be time to consult a paediatric specialist . This is usually a last resort, because they are in high demand and waiting lists can be very long. However, they are trained to deal with infant fears, phobias, and behaviour problems. They are a common choice for children with learning difficulties, behavioural issues, and social conditions like autism.

If you work with a paediatric dentist, you are likely to have longer appointments, a more personalised approach, and a much more familiar relationship with the family specialist. The downside is that appointments and procedures at these surgeries can be costly and they make routine check-ups much more of an ‘event.’ Sometimes, however, they are the only suitable choice for children who cannot handle the regular dental environment.

Is your child afraid of the dentist? Fear not! We know a few crucial tips...

Taking children to the dentist can be stressful. But there are ways to make dental...

Getting your wisdom teeth removed seems like a daunting experience. To prepare you for this...

Dental Health (36)
Dental Plans (16)
Dental Tips (17)
Teeth Whitening (3)
Dentistry for Kids (3)
Nutrition (10)
Emergency Dental (4)
Dental Technology (3)
Cosmetic Dental (3)
Your Teeth (18)
Implants and Bridges (2)
Root Canals (3)
Your Life (7)
19 Amazing Home Remedies for Removing Plaque Naturally
What a Pain in the Tooth: How to Diagnose Your Toothache
10 Important Things to Know Before You Get Dental Braces
The Crucial Facts and Deadly Consequences of Tooth Abscesses
Should I Go to the Emergency Room for a Tooth Abscess?
Frequently Asked Questions
Sample Savings

Get Your Card & FREE Info

Get the card that will save you 15–50%* per visit in most instances.

Complete X-Rays
Complete Upper Denture
Get Your Card & Free Info

Call 1-800-240-2973 to speak with a Carefree Dental representative Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST.

Membership Terms, Conditions and Disclosures

Some services may be covered by qualified health plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

This plan is NOT insurance. This is not a qualified health plan under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This plan does not meet the minimum creditable coverage requirements under M.G.L. c. 111M and 956 CMR 5.00. This is not a Medicare prescription drug plan. The plan provides discounts at participating providers for services. The plan does not make payments directly to providers. The plan member is obligated to pay for all services but will receive a discount from participating providers. The range of discounts will vary depending on the type of provider and services. The Discount Plan Organization is Gallagher Affinity Insurance Services, Inc., at 2850 W. Golf Road, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008, 1-800-240-2973. Plan not available in Alaska, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. To view a listing of participating providers visit Find a Provider. You have the right to cancel this plan within 30 days after the effective date for a full refund. Such refund will be issued within 30 days of request.

The discount program provides access to the Aetna Dental Access® network. This network is administered by Aetna Life Insurance Company (ALIC). Neither ALIC nor any of its affiliates offers or administers the discount program. Neither ALIC nor any of its affiliates is an affiliate, agent, representative or employee of the discount program. Dental providers are independent contractors and not employees or agents of ALIC or its affiliates. ALIC does not provide dental care or treatment and is not responsible for outcomes.

Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company (GTL) provides the Group Accident Only insurance. GTL does not provide nor is affiliated with the discount programs provided as a part of membership in Carefree Dental.

The Playful Dentist: Making Dental Visits Fun for Kids

Pediatric Dentistry in Southside Richmond, VA

Welcome to the world of pediatric dentistry, where dental visits become an exciting adventure for kids. With the playful dentist by their side, children can embark on a journey of oral health while enjoying a fun and positive experience. The playful dentist understands the unique needs and fears of young patients, creating a welcoming and cheerful environment that helps alleviate anxiety. Through gentle care, engaging activities, and age-appropriate techniques, the playful dentist instills good oral hygiene habits and educates children about the importance of dental health. Get ready for a dental visit like no other, where smiles, laughter, and happy memories are created along the way.

Understanding Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric dentistry is a specialized branch of dentistry that focuses on the oral health of infants, children, and adolescents. It involves providing comprehensive dental care in a child-friendly and comfortable environment. Pediatric dentists undergo additional training to understand the unique dental needs and behaviors of young patients. They emphasize preventive care, early intervention, and education to promote lifelong oral health. Pediatric dentistry encompasses a range of services, including routine dental exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, and orthodontic evaluations. By addressing dental issues at an early stage and making dental visits enjoyable, pediatric dentistry plays a crucial role in laying the foundation for a lifetime of healthy

Importance of Pediatric Dentistry

1. Early Detection and Prevention: Pediatric dentistry focuses on the early detection and prevention of dental issues in children. Regular check-ups and cleanings help identify any potential problems early on, allowing for prompt treatment and prevention of more serious issues.

2. Dental Health Education: Pediatric dentists play a crucial role in educating children and their parents about proper oral hygiene practices. They teach children the importance of brushing, flossing, and maintaining good dental habits to prevent cavities and promote lifelong oral health.

3. Establishing Positive Dental Experiences: Pediatric dentistry aims to create positive experiences for children, helping them develop a healthy attitude towards dental care. By providing a comfortable and friendly environment, pediatric dentists help alleviate dental anxiety and make dental visits enjoyable, setting the foundation for a lifetime of positive dental experiences.

Specialized Pediatric Dental Treatments

1. Fluoride Treatments: Pediatric dentistry often includes specialized treatments such as fluoride application. Fluoride helps strengthen the enamel of the teeth, making them more resistant to decay. This treatment is especially important for children who may have a higher risk of cavities .

2. Dental Sealants: Dental sealants are thin protective coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. They act as a barrier, preventing food particles and bacteria from getting trapped in the deep grooves of the teeth, reducing the risk of cavities. Dental sealants are commonly used in pediatric dentistry to provide added protection for children’s vulnerable teeth.

Parents Involvement and Home Care

1. Parental Involvement: Pediatric dentistry emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in children’s oral health. Parents play a crucial role in establishing good dental habits, such as regular brushing and flossing, as well as maintaining a healthy diet. They can also accompany their children to dental appointments and actively participate in discussions with the pediatric dentist.

2. Home Care Tips: Pediatric dentistry provides parents with valuable home care tips to ensure optimal oral health for their children. These may include proper brushing and flossing techniques, guidance on age-appropriate oral hygiene products, and tips for managing common dental issues in children, such as teething or thumb sucking. By following these home care tips, parents can contribute to their children’s overall dental well-being.

Source : UIC College of Dentistry

In conclusion, pediatric dentistry plays a vital role in ensuring the oral health and well-being of children. By creating a playful and welcoming environment, pediatric dentists make dental visits enjoyable and help children develop positive dental habits. The specialized treatments, preventive care, and parental involvement offered in pediatric dentistry contribute to the long-term dental health of children, setting them on a path towards a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Common FAQs about Pediatric Dentistry

1. at what age should i take my child to their first dental visit.

Pediatric dentists recommend that children visit the dentist by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth erupting. Early dental visits help establish a foundation for good oral health and allow the dentist to monitor the child’s dental development.

2. How often should my child visit the dentist?

Regular dental visits are typically recommended every six months for children. However, the frequency may vary based on the child’s oral health needs and the dentist’s recommendation. Some children may require more frequent visits if they have specific dental issues.

3. Are dental X-rays safe for children?

Dental X-rays are generally safe for children. Pediatric dentists use X-rays to evaluate dental health, detect any underlying issues, and monitor the development of permanent teeth. They take necessary precautions to minimize radiation exposure, such as using lead aprons and high-speed X-ray film.

4. What can I do to prepare my child for a dental visit?

To prepare your child for a dental visit, you can explain what to expect in simple and positive terms. Reading children’s books about dental visits or role-playing can help familiarize them with the experience. It’s important to maintain a positive attitude and reassure your child that the dentist is there to help keep their teeth healthy.

5. What if my child is anxious or fearful about visiting the dentist?

Pediatric dentists are experienced in handling children’s dental anxiety and fear. They create a friendly and welcoming environment to help alleviate anxiety. Techniques such as distraction, positive reinforcement, and nitrous oxide (laughing gas) may be used to help children feel more comfortable during dental procedures. Communication between parents, children, and the dental team is crucial in addressing any concerns or fears.

SUCCESS STORIES

Staples mill va, north side va, south side va.

Call us Now!

STAPLES MILL (804)823-5500
NORTH SIDE (804)264-4068
South Side (804)335-0599
chester (804) 621-0602

Book Online

Staples Mill Office

9195 Staples Mill Rd, Henrico, VA 23228

(804)823-5500

North Side Office

5007 Brook Rd, Richmond, VA 23227

(804)264-4068

South Side Office

9945 Hull Street Rd, Richmond, VA 23236

(804)335-0599

Chester Office

2480 Osborne Rd, Chester, VA 23831

(804) 621-0602

Referral Form
Staples Mill

Connect With Our Community
ELSA Supporters
Ways to Advocate
Preparing for an Advocacy Meeting
Register as an Advocate
Advocacy Day on the Hill
Smile Makers
Halloween Bash
Ectodermal Dysplasias Awareness Month
Attend an Event
Volunteer Application
Stand Together

15 Ways to Help Your Child Get Ready for Dental Visits and Dentures

How do you help your little ones affected by ectodermal dysplasia prepare for all of the dental visits they need? What can you do to explain and show them what getting dentures is going to be like? With 40 years of experience and resources, the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED) can help!

Many children with the condition have their teeth affected in some way. Missing many or all of their teeth is common. They will likely go to the dentist more often than their peers to treat their unique dental symptoms .

The NFED strongly advocates for children with ectodermal dysplasias to get dentures. The many benefits of replacing missing teeth are undeniable. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that all children first visit a dentist at one year of age or six months after the eruption of the first teeth, whichever comes first. That first visit will help you determine how many teeth your child might have and outline a dental treatment plan. For children affected by ectodermal dysplasias, many have successfully worn dentures as young as 2.5 years old.

Our Best Tips to Make Your Dental Visits a Success

Here are some suggestions for how to make your child’s experience at the dentist be a positive one. You will notice that many tips are about preparing yourself first so you can best help your kiddo. Other tips come from our families who have been there, done that.

Reassure yourself that indeed, toddlers can and do wear dentures successfully by reading He’s Too Young for Dentures ! Children do not have to wait till they are in high school to get the treatment they need.

Find out the Things to Know When Your Child Needs Dentures . Dr. Beau Meyer outlines the three types of dentures and when each might be used.

Empower your child. NFED mom, Melissa Pierce, shares her approach. “When we get to an appointment or procedure, I remind them it is ok to be nervous but to listen to the dentist, doctor, or nurse, and it is ok to ask them questions at any time. I knew we had a long road with ectodermal dysplasia and I just wanted to empower them from early on and set a good foundation for them to take charge of their health care as they got older. I also learned sometimes it was better if I am just outside of my kid’s sight when they were having procedures done…(They had) less anxiety for some reason (maybe they could sense mine).” – Melissa Pierce

Show and tell. “I think that it is easier to sit through a procedure if you have a real life description of what is going to happen and if you know that it won’t take long. You could also get play dough and tools and make some stamps to show him what impression means. – Kari Faye Landry
Use rewards . Adam Viccaro, who is an adult affected by hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED), suggested, “Perhaps a reward for him after he gets through it. I once got stuck in the dentist chair almost an entire day after the connecting part of my bridge broke. My dentist promised me tickets to the local waterpark for sticking it out. It sucked, but that helped!”
Clean their nose. Lindsay Taylor, who is affected by ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting (EEC) syndrome, gave this great tip. “Be sure his nose is clear and free of gunk so he can breathe through his nose as the impression material can creep back your throat and make mouth breathing hard.”
Choose the right words . Pediatric dentist, Dr. Tim Wright, says, “When describing the upcoming dental visit to a little one, always do so with positive language thereby helping set the stage for success. For example: ‘The dentist is going to talk with you about getting a smile with teeth that are cute and bright’.” Moriah, McPherson, a dental hygienist, shared similar sentiments. “Kids usually keep getting better and more comfortable with repetitive appointments. I’m always impressed how much they grow and mature in the preschool years. Also, be mindful of your words. Saying things like ‘don’t be scared’ or ‘it won’t hurt’ puts that thought into the child’s head.”
Answer your child’s questions positively but honestly. “Do not make statements that create expectations that may be unrealistic. For example, don’t say ‘they are just going to look’ if there are going to be procedures beyond just looking.” – Dr. Wright
Watch “ Finley’s Denture Adventure ” with your child. In this short video, Finley is a young boy affected by HED who just received his first dentures. His mom, Randi, talks with him and shows off his new smile.

Need to Talk It Through?

Hopefully, these resources and tips will help you and your child on the road to success. Always know that our NFED staff is just a phone call away at 618-566-2020 if you need more suggestions or just want to talk.

What have you found to work? We’d love for you to comment below.

We think you'll find this information from our library helpful.

Most people who have missing teeth due to ectodermal dysplasia will need dentures as part of their treatment plan. This article reviews “dentures” – definition, steps used to create a denture, materials used, time involved, composition of materials used in the denture base and the repair of broken dentures.

6 Ways to Ease Pediatric Dental Anxiety

Get Dr. B’s Dental Health Tips

Fear of obstructed breathing, fear of pain, fear of powerlessness, vicarious fear, too much time between visits, fear of the unknown, consequences of dental anxiety in children, 1. choose the right dentist for your child, 2. don’t keep upcoming visits a secret, 3. teach your child how to find calm, 4. set a good example, 5. start early and be consistent, 6. be cautious when taking your child to the dentist with you.

Whether it’s your own child begging to skip his next dentist appointment, or the child of a friend who’s deathly afraid of the dental chair, I’m sure you’re aware that dental anxiety in children can be very real.

And what’s worse is that failing to address this problem can cause it to worsen over time, making it difficult to maintain your child’s oral and dental health. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

It is possible to ease your child’s dental anxiety—no medication or sedation required.

What is dental anxiety?

Put simply, dental anxiety is “fear related to seeking or receiving dental care.” But before we dive further into this topic, what exactly does dental anxiety mean?

Many people don’t particularly like to go to the dentist, but they’re not necessarily afraid to go. Dental anxiety, meanwhile, steps into the territory of fear.

Anxiety is actually a multisystem response of the human body to a perceived threat or danger. It reflects a combination of biochemical changes in the body, the patient’s personal history and memory, and the social situation.

Anxiety appears to be a uniquely human experience. Although other animals clearly know fear, human anxiety involves an ability to use memory and imagination to move backward and forward in time—an ability that animals do not appear to have.

Put simply, we are prone to anxiety because we can remember and imagine, and we can extrapolate potential outcomes that cause fear. This is often the case even if those outcomes have never actually happened to us personally (or are unlikely to happen in the future).

The anxiety that occurs in posttraumatic syndrome indicates that human memory is a highly complicated mental function and that a large portion of human anxiety is produced by anticipation of future events, regardless of their likelihood.

For example, your child may have a friend who’s had multiple cavities. One day at school, your child’s friend explains his last dental visit, during which he had his teeth drilled and filled. It was horrible and painful, he says. Now, even though your child’s teeth are in great shape, he is now nervous about visiting the dentist and having a similar experience.

It’s important to distinguish between anxiety as a feeling or experience, and an anxiety disorder resulting from a psychiatric diagnosis. A person may feel anxious without having an anxiety disorder. Likewise, a person facing a clear and present danger or a realistic fear is not usually considered to have an anxiety disorder.

So, to sum this up, dental anxiety is fear of the dentist that causes varying degrees of stress-related responses of the human mind and body. It could be as simple as excessive sweating or as severe as an anxiety attack at the thought of a dental procedure. For children, that anxiety can manifest itself as “acting out,” crying, tantrums, refusal to cooperate, or a myriad of other responses.

Free weekly dental health advice in your inbox, plus 10 Insider Secrets to Dental Care as a free download when you sign up

Why is my child afraid of the dentist?

In order to ease your child’s dental anxiety, it helps to understand the causes. Then, equipped with that knowledge, you can more effectively deal with and ease his fear of the dentist.

I want you to have the tools you need to make a trip to the dentist a pleasant and rewarding experience for both your child and you, just as I utilize the tools at my disposal for the same purpose.

Although you may not hear much about it, the first cause of dental anxiety I would consider is your child’s fear of having his airway blocked. Whether it’s the rubber dam, the instruments, cotton roll, or the dentist’s fingers, the airway is somewhat restricted during normal dental procedures. This elicits a primal fear.

Children are good at vomiting, gagging, and coughing because these are all ways to remove obstructions to breathing. Without this basic fear, we could not survive more than a couple of minutes. For children who are mouth-breathers , this gag reflex is even more accentuated, since it is their survival instinct basically saying, “Get out of the way, I can’t breathe.”

For children who do not breathe well through their nose, this can be very frightening, but it can also be frightening for children who do breathe through their nose. In fact, this innate fear is what makes waterboarding effective for activating an extreme fear response.

For many children, pain is also at the root of their dental anxiety, and at one time, it wasn’t completely unwarranted. Dentists used to believe that baby teeth had no nerves, so procedures were performed with only a little nitrous oxide gas, just to calm the child down and keep him from fidgeting.

We now know differently, though. There is pain associated with dental procedures, and if a child indicates the dentist is “bad,” “makes me hurt,” or isn’t “nice,” these may be indicators of undue pain the child has experienced from a dentist who was not properly concerned about giving the child a pain-free experience that would make future dental care more likely.

Adults who’ve experienced legitimate pain as children in a dentist’s chair often remain extremely anxious about visiting a dentist into adulthood. This can lead to a lifetime of rare dental visits, cancelled appointments, and poor dental health.

Fear of losing control is a cause of dental anxiety that is related to the fear of pain. A child knows that the big person with the pointy instruments is in charge. If there’s pain or discomfort, the child may very likely feel that he or she has no control over it. This can make him very anxious even if he’s never been to the dentist before.

In my office, we utilize a number of tools to help minimize this kind of anxiety, such as giving the child complete control of the TV remote. No one will take that from him—not a sibling, the staff, or the parent. He’s in control of that remote.

Also, we help the child to understand that if he raises his hand, we will immediately stop. This gives him more control and makes for a less anxious visit. We also give the child a stuffed white dog to hold onto that further helps to minimize fear.

When adults suffer from dental anxiety, they may transfer that fear to a child through vicarious learning. As an example, when a child hears a horror story about a dental visit, he will likely experience the fear of that visit himself.

Children want to copy adults they love and admire, so if someone important has a fear of the dentist, it will be more difficult to ease that child’s dental anxiety, even if he hasn’t personally experienced a problem. In fact, in a study of Scottish children age 13-14, a high predictor of dental anxiety was the number of people in the child’s life who were afraid of going to the dentist. ( 1 )

Another high predictor of dental anxiety in the above study is the length of time since the child’s last dental visit. Although not seeing the dentist does not necessarily mean a child will develop cavities (more on that in a moment), children may assume that infrequent visits to the dentist will result in more problems when they do finally do go. And more problems, in their minds, equals more discomfort, pain, and increased anxiety.

Injections, drilling, and scaling were the highest anxiety-inducing procedures for 13- to 14-year-old participants in the study. Additionally, in many cases, children who are sporadic in their dental visits finally agree to a visit due to pain, which is often cause for a filling or extraction.

Not surprisingly, drilling and extraction are also associated with anxiety, and anxiety resulting from these procedures will likely produce a vicious cycle leading to long term dental anxiety problems. ( 2 )

Finally, your child’s dental anxiety may be rooted in fear of the unknown.

For some children, fear of the dentist is born out of little more than their imagination of what a dental visit will be like, laced with snippets of information gleaned from media or stories they may hear. They have little or no experience to base this fear on, and sometimes the unknown is quite scary to a child.

Although studies show that the majority of five-year-olds that experience dental anxiety no longer experience it at nine, just under half of the five-year-old study participants were still anxious by the time they reached their ninth birthday. During the follow up period of the study, more than 11% of the non-anxious five-year-olds had developed a fear of the dentist by age 9. ( 3 )

A significant problem for the dental profession is dental anxiety and the subsequent avoidance of dental care and deterioration of oral health. ( 4 )

If dental anxiety becomes a long-term issue, the consequences can include a lifetime of avoiding needed dental procedures, which could lead to a marked deterioration in overall oral health. The cycle then continues as new dental issues due to poorly maintained teeth and gums lead to other anxieties.

Not going to the dentist doesn’t automatically lead to cavities, since the development of cavities is actually a diet and hygiene issue, and it is possible to heal cavities naturally , on your own.

But the risks increase with sporadic, rare, or non-existent visits to the dentist. This is especially the case when people aren’t taking the proper supplements or eating the right foods to maintain the health of their teeth, gums, and oral microbiome .

Avoidance of dental treatment often results in a higher incidence of cavities, which has been found to lead to more missing teeth and unfilled, but problematic teeth. ( 5 ) This can also lead to feelings of inferiority and shame, which in combination may lead to greater anxiety and further avoidance of dental care.

Impacts of dental anxiety include negative thoughts, crying, aggression, sleep disturbances, disturbed eating habits, and greater self-medication. Impacts on social interactions, performance at school or work, self-esteem, and confidence levels have also been reported.

How to Ease Your Child’s Fear of the Dentist

So, how do you ease your child’s fear of the dentist? Let’s take a look:

Earlier, I mentioned a few ways dentists can minimize dental anxiety in their young patients, based on techniques I use in my practice. Thus, it is very important that you seek out a dentist who is attentive to the needs of children in order to help ease your child’s dental anxiety.

Dentists who have children of their own, for instance, are more likely to be tuned in to the needs of children and may be more sensitive to the things that may potentially induce fear.

Children need predictability in their life, so letting your child know of an upcoming dental visit in advance will give him time to mentally prepare for the visit. Allow your child to ask questions and express his fears. Answer his questions with straightforward, to-the-point answers while limiting the amount of details you include. Talk to your child about the importance of maintaining a healthy mouth and the rewards and benefits of regular dental care.

You can employ relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises to slow down your child’s physical reaction to anxiety (i.e. increased heart rate, etc.). Emphasizing the positive aspects of proper dental care and regular dental visits will also help ease your child’s dental anxiety.

You are a role model for your child. Your thoughts, concerns, and attitudes will affect how he responds to anxious situations, and your involvement and calm will translate to security and calmness for your child.

I must make an important note, however: I advise avoiding bribery. Bribing the child to “not make a fuss, so you can get a treat” may actually increase his anxiety as he wonders what’s so bad about the dentist that he might want to cry or make a fuss. Sugary treats as a bribe also contradict the good dental behaviors you want to reinforce.

The earlier your child begins regular dental visits, the better. (I recommend scheduling your child’s first dental appointment around 6 months, or by his first birthday, at the latest.)

You decrease your child’s risk of developing dental anxiety if visiting the dentist has become a regular part of his life and earliest memories. You may even want to have a pretend visit with your child before the actual visit to lessen the strangeness and anxiety of the event.

If you’re still concerned that your child is anxious, try reading dentist-related storybooks to your child before a visit.

Additionally, once your child has his first dental visit, be sure to schedule regular follow-ups. Building a rapport with the dentist and the other clinicians, becoming familiar with the atmosphere of the office, and becoming more familiar with the rewards of regular dental visits will go a long way toward alleviating some of your child’s dental anxiety and preventing it from developing in the future.

Most experts agree that taking your child to your own dental visits may be a very bad thing.

Instead of instilling calmness, your own unrealized anxiety, along with the sterileness of the adult dental environment, may have the effect of increasing your child’s dental anxiety. So if you want to take your child to the dentist with you, make sure you are free from fear of dental procedures yourself.

Your child’s oral health is important to his long-term well being, so establishing good habits early will translate to a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. And, of course, seeing the dentist on a regular basis is one of the best habits to establish.

In order to make this an anxiety-free activity for your child, you’ll need to be proactive and sometimes creative. To recap, six ways to ease your child’s dental anxiety include:

Choosing the right dentist for your child
Not keeping upcoming visits a secret
Teaching your child how to find calm
Setting a good example
Starting early and be consistent
Being cautious when taking your child to the dentist with you

You can ease your child’s dental anxiety by making the activity a fun and enjoyable part of his normal life.

About Mark Burhenne, DDS

I’m on a mission to empower people everywhere with the same evidence-based, easy-to-understand dental health advice that my patients get. You can read my story here. I have been a dentist in private practice for 35 years. I graduated from the Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco, CA in 1987 and am a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), Academy of General Dentistry (Chicago, IL), American Academy for Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH), and Dental Board of California.

Dr. Mark is the author of the best-selling book 8-Hour Sleep Paradox

IMAGES

Kid Snippets: "Dentist Visit" (Imagined by Kids)
Kid Snippets: "Dentist Visit" (Imagined by Kids)
Kid Snippets: "Dentist Visit" (Imagined by Kids)
Kid Snippets: "Dentist Visit" (Imagined by Kids)
How To Help Kids Enjoy Dentist Appointments
Kids Dentist Visit

VIDEO

What to expect at your child's dentist appointment
Kids show importance of going to the dentist
Hulk Alex and Jannie Learns How Important to Take Care of Your Teeth
Dentist Visit!
🦷 DENTIST CHECK-UP TIME🦷 Protect Your Teeth || Toddler video by Paws & Play
An Introduction to Every Kid's Dentist

COMMENTS

Kid Snippets: "Dentist Visit" (Imagined by Kids)
Subscribe for new videos: http://bit.ly/1iK5KqxFollow us on facebook: http://facebook.com/BoredShortsTVFollow us on instagram: http://instagram.com/boredshor...
Dental Visits for Kids
Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes at your child's dental visit? We thought so! And to celebrate Kid's Oral Health Month, we put together this little...
Dentist Song
What happens at the dentist? Sing along to CoComelon's Dentist Song for children and help JJ learn all about the fun things on a visit to the dentist! Educat...
Kid Snippets: "Dentist Visit" (Imagined by Kids)
Kid Snippets: "Dentist Visit" (Imagined by Kids) Daily Laughs. Follow Like Favorite Share. Add to Playlist. Report. 9 years ago. Kid Snippets: "Dentist Visit" (Imagined by Kids) Hide details. Recommended. 2:23. I. Up next. Kid Snippets: "American Idol" (Imagined by Kids)
Kid Snippets: "Dentist Visit" (Imagined by Kids)
Kid Snippets: "Dentist Visit" (Imagined by Kids) By Bored Shorts TV - Posted on April 1, 2015 Posted in: BoredShortsTV Originals, Kid Snippets. New Kid Snippets videos every MONDAY. If movies were written by our children… We asked a couple girls to act out what it was like to go to the dentist. This is what they came up with.
How to Make Dental Visits Fear-Free and Fun for Kids
The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Stan and Jan Berenstain; Check out YouTube for similar videos that deal with fears kids have about the dentist and what is going to happen there, especially for their first visit. Roleplay as a Dentist. Kids love to pretend, so use that to prepare your child for going to the dentist.
Smrt
Kid Snippets: "Dentist Visit" - If movies were written by our children… We asked a couple girls to act out what it was like to go to the dentist. This is...
Puppets show kids that going to the dentist is fun!
Watch Video: Ricky's First Visit. This project started with a simple idea - if a child knows what to expect during their first dental visit, they won't be as timid. If the child is more relaxed, the dentist's job is much easier. So we got to work adding a live-action video to our popular Kids Zone product that dentists can lease for their ...
Kid Snippets: "Dentist Visit" (Imagined by Kids)
We asked a couple girls to act out what it was like to go to the dentist. This is what they came up with.nnnProduced by Bored Shorts TVnFilmed and Edited by Ryan HaldemannStarring:nRandy RobertsnDave RobertsnProduction Assistants:nJohn RobertsnBrett RobertsnDenise HolbrooknnIn this episode, Dave goes to the dentist complaining about a loose tooth.
A Guide to Making Kids' Dentist Visits Enjoyable
Introduce them to the concept gently, perhaps through children's books or fun videos about the dentist for kids. For those first timers, consider playing pretend dentist games at home to demystify the process. Remember, the goal is to make your child's dentist visit seem like an exciting adventure rather than a daunting task.
A Visit to the Dentist Animated Cartoons for Kids
😻 Subscribe to our channel 🌟 👉 https://bit.ly/3b6lXsUTatty is always a clean witch who likes to maintain good dental care. Unlike Misifu, Tatty always b...
A Child's First Dental Visit Fact Sheet
The first dental visit is recommended by 12 months of age, or within 6 months of the first tooth coming in. The first visit often lasts 30 to 45 minutes. Depending on your child's age, the visit may include a full exam of the teeth, jaws, bite, gums, and oral tissues to check growth and development. If needed, your child may also have a gentle ...
Preparing Your Child for Their First Dentist Visit
Once you have an appointment scheduled, start preparing your child for the visit. Children learn best when they are having fun. You can practice giving their stuffed animal a checkup with a toy mirror. Your child can bring that same stuffed animal to the dental visit to get a check-up by the dentist. Read books to them.
Top Dentist Jokes & Riddles for Kids
Why Dental Humor for Kids Matters: Helps alleviate dental visit anxiety and fear. Promotes positive attitude towards oral hygiene and dental care. Distracts children from discomfort during dental procedures. Engages children in oral hygiene practices. Makes brushing and flossing a fun experience. Overall, incorporating dental humor for kids can ...
15 Clever Ideas for Helping Your Child Visit the Dentist
Invent a 'Safety Signal'. Once again, the trick to getting a child to cope with the strangeness of the dentist is simply to avoid stress, panic, and fear from as early an age as possible. The easiest way to do this is through communication. So, as already mentioned, avoid using negative words and associations.
The Playful Dentist: Making Dental Visits Fun for Kids
Dental Health Education: Pediatric dentists play a crucial role in educating children and their parents about proper oral hygiene practices. They teach children the importance of brushing, flossing, and maintaining good dental habits to prevent cavities and promote lifelong oral health. 3. Establishing Positive Dental Experiences: Pediatric ...
Visiting the Dentist!
This video is brought to you by the Child and Teen Checkups program of the Minnesota Department of Health. If you live in Minnesota, learn more at https://ww...
15 Tips for Your Child's Dental Visit
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that all children first visit a dentist at one year of age or six months after the eruption of the first teeth, whichever comes first. That first visit will help you determine how many teeth your child might have and outline a dental treatment plan. For children affected by ectodermal ...
6 Ways to Ease Pediatric Dental Anxiety
You can employ relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises to slow down your child's physical reaction to anxiety (i.e. increased heart rate, etc.). Emphasizing the positive aspects of proper dental care and regular dental visits will also help ease your child's dental anxiety. 4.
Kid Snippets: "Chores" (Imagined by Kids)
Subscribe for new videos: http://bit.ly/1iK5KqxThanks to MyJobChart.com for sponsoring this video. Visit http://share.myjobchart.com/boredshortstv to start a...
Kid Snippets
In case you were thinking about making Randy your dentist... we wanted you to know what your experience will be like.... TOTALLY AWESOME
CoComelon
(We'll tell you) [Verse 5] The goodie bag is so fun You'll get one when you're done There are goodies and surprises you can share [Chorus] I'm going to the dentist, I'm going to the dentist What ...