Making Children's Dentistry Fun: Tips That Actually Work

Going to the dentist isn’t exactly a child’s idea of a great time. But as a parent, you know how important early dental care is for their long-term oral health. Thankfully, at Emery & Scuro DMD, PC, here in Rochester, New York, it can be a positive and even fun experience.

Carol Scuro, DMD, Bradford Emery, DMD, and Nicholas Emery, DDS, offer some proven ways to transform dental visits from a dreaded event into an adventure. Here are some of their top tips:

Start early

You should bring your child to the dentist within six months after their first tooth appears or by their first birthday. Early visits help your child become comfortable with the dental office and build trust with their dentist and our caring team.

Children who begin dental visits at a younger age are more likely to have positive associations with oral care and fewer dental issues later on in life. 

Here are some ideas to help:

• Talk about the dental office like it’s a fun place to go
• Choose a child-friendly dental practice (like ours!)
• Read board or story books about going to the dentist before the first appointment

 As part of our family dentistry services, we offer customized dentistry just for kids.

Make dental hygiene fun

If you treat brushing and flossing like a chore, your kids will mirror your approach. Turn daily dental care into a fun game, challenge, or creative activity to help build lifelong habits.

Here are some playful ideas:

• Character toothbrush: use a brush with your child’s favorite character for excitement
• Sticker chart: reward regular brushing and flossing with small prizes and stickers
• Dance party: pick an upbeat song that lasts for a couple of minutes and have your child dance and brush as it plays

Our team helps reinforce your at-home training by educating and encouraging your child about the importance of dental hygiene. 

Speak positively

Children are intuitive and can easily pick up on your tone and body language. If you have dental anxiety, try not to speak about it or let it show. Avoid using words like drill, pain, or shot, or telling stories about dental visits that “hurt.”

Use positive sentences like “The dentist is going to help keep your teeth sparkly clean and strong!” to help your child feel confident and excited about their visit.

Choose a practice that emphasizes children’s dentistry 

At Emery & Scuro DMD, PC, we specialize in children’s dentistry as part of our family dentistry model. From babies to grandparents, we treat everyone in your family and work diligently to earn your trust and build lifelong relationships. 

Our team is here to protect and strengthen your child’s smile right from the start. In a warm, welcoming atmosphere and with regular checkups and gentle cleanings, we help keep their teeth healthy as they grow, and lower their risk for cavities and gum issues down the road. It’s all about building a strong foundation for a lifetime of great oral health.

Our skilled dentists focus on reducing your child’s fear and making dental health a part of your child’s everyday adventure. The earlier you start and the more involved you are, the more likely your child will develop a healthy relationship with dental care that lasts a lifetime.

If you’re looking for a team that truly gets kids, we’d love to welcome your family. Let’s make your child’s next dental visit a reason to smile!

Call 585-684-8423 to set up a consultation or request an appointment online today.