There aren’t many kids who would list taking care of their teeth and seeing the dentist as a couple of their favorite activities. And unfortunately, having tooth problems and needing extra dental care contributes to kids being afraid of and/or disliking brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist. Early, deliberate actions in parenting can help kids to not only avoid self-induced dental problems, but also have a good attitude about taking care of their teeth. Here are some ideas to accomplish just that.

Establish Positive Routines

Babies and kids enjoy predictability. Knowing their routine and sticking to it creates positive habits and positive associations with activities that might otherwise not be desirable. One idea for making dental care a positive experience is to help a child brush their teeth at a certain time each day and to sing a song during the brushing. This simple activity will create a positive association and develop a habit. And when you consider that more than half of adolescents from the ages of 12 to 19 have a cavity in at least one permanent tooth, it’s never too early or too inconsequential to make this an important part of your child’s day. It’s very uncommon for a kid who doesn’t take care of their baby teeth to suddenly be much more careful when permanent teeth come in. Some parents like to brush their own teeth at the same time as their child brushes. This sets a great example and makes sure that there’s a known time for dental care each day.

Take Your Baby to the Dentist

Some parents wait several years until taking their young children to the dentist — either out of a belief the child doesn’t need to see the dentist at such a young age or fear that their child will be scared or anxious. The reality is that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Dental Association recommends that a child visit the dentist for the first time either when their first tooth comes in or before their first birthday. This is something to really consider, as it establishes a crucial pattern for the rest of the child’s life. Going as soon as possible will create familiarity with the activity and break down barriers of fear and anxiety better than waiting until the child is ‘old enough’ to handle it. Something important with this bit of advice is to seek out a pediatric dentist who has a reputation for creating a positive, comfortable experience for young kids. It may take some shopping around and seeking recommendations from friends and family, but having the right kind of dentist can make all the difference in the kind of relationship your child has with dental care.

Catch Potential Problems Early

Once a parent has checked off establishing a habit of seeing the dentist, it’s important to consider when to check in with an orthodontist. It is best for a child to visit the orthodontist by age seven to determine if orthodontic treatment is required for them. By this time, the child’s first permanent molars and incisors have usually come in, and the orthodontist can look at crossbites, crowding, and other problems. For many problems having to do with orthodontics, early detection will make treatment much smoother and shorter than would be the case if problems were discovered later. As kids grow into adults, untreated problems multiply and become vastly more complex, and can create new problems. Problems such as tooth decay, gum disease or oral trauma that will need the help of an expert in restorative dentistry. Orthodontic work is cheaper and more accessible all the time. While certain treatments used to be just for the most privileged of patients, much of the work your kids may need is easier to get and often covered by affordable insurance. Dental crowns and implants can also help if you or your kids have missing teeth.

For dental emergencies, it is advisable to bring your child to Emergency Dental Care for Kids immediately to get the proper treatment.

The bottom line is that kids will determine how they feel about dental care and visiting dentists and orthodontists early on. Some positive, deliberate experiences and habits will be well worth the saved dollars and tears.