As an adult, you might get nervous about your own dental visits. Your child might share the same fear, but what can you do to help them feel confident about their own checkups and cleanings? Thankfully, there are plenty of things you can do! Reading certain stories might be what they need to ease their phobia. Here are the types of books you should read to your loved one to help them prepare for their appointment.
Books with Their Favorite Characters
You might be well aware of certain characters your child is drawn to. They might ask you to put on a particular show or get themed toys. You can use this to your advantage and find books with those characters going to the dentist! They can help your loved one feel more courageous about going since someone they are bonded to also went.
Curious George, Dora, Peppa Pig, and the Berenstein Bears are just a few who have books that explain the overall process.
Stories by the Authors They Like
Similar to the point above, your child might love specific authors. For instance, Dr. Seuss is a classic option with The Tooth Book, or Mercer Mayer (creator of the Little Critter series) has Just Going to the Dentist. There are plenty more, such as the First Time Series, so take a gander online to see what you can find!
Alphabet Books About Dentistry
For some kids, not knowing about the new terms and lingo they will hear might make them a bit worried. A great way around this is with alphabet books about dentistry specifically. Your loved one can learn certain phrases and things their pediatric dentist will use during their visit; that way, they already start getting familiar with the instruments.
Your loved one’s dental office will also be able to help in this aspect! Many practices already know ways to explain certain treatments in ways tiny teeth understand. This can help the service they are getting to be less intimidating.
Although your child might be nervous about going to the dentist, there are plenty of ways you can help them feel confident about the whole thing. While letting them bring a small comfort item might be good, reading can be just as powerful a tool to consider.
About the Practice
At Hamilton Pediatric Dental Care, our team is passionate about making every child’s dental experience positive. Led by Dr. Michael Rullo, we are proud to serve growing smiles in the local community with gentle care that helps your loved one. By building good oral habits now, we can get them set up for a lifetime of a happy grin. If you want to know what we can do about your loved one’s dental anxiety, schedule an appointment or call our office at (905) 525–8272.