We remember what it was like to be a kid. It was all about the simple pleasures in life, allowing us to look forward with great anticipation of upcoming events. Of course, we also remember that some things failed to generate the same level of excitement–a visit to the dentist, for example. With our youngest patients in mind, Dr. Brad Greenfield and his team share our favorite books, games, and apps for teaching children about the importance of oral health and family dentistry in Lake Orion, MI.
Crack a Book, Not a Tooth
Kids love to show off their reading skills, and even those who are too young to read enjoy colorful pictures and lovable characters. Bonus points for offering books that feature well-known characters from their favorite movies and TV shows. In fact, some of these books feature beloved characters from your own childhood. It’s hard not to feel nostalgic when reading Stan and Jan Berenstein’s The Berenstein Bears Visit the Dentist, H.A. Rey’s Curious George Visits the Dentist, or The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss. Included in the latest crop of sure-to-be-classic tales are Never Take a Shark to the Dentist by Judi Barrett, Edward Miller’s The Tooth Book: A Guide to Healthy Teeth and Gums, and Christine Ricci’s Show Me Your Smile! which features Dora the Explorer.
Games and Puzzles
Even though your child’s oral hygiene is a serious matter, we find that most kids retain information more effectively when it’s presented in a fun, interactive way. At the very least, playing these games with your child opens the door for a conversation about dental exams and teeth cleaning. Among the most interesting and engaging toys we’ve seen:
Play-Doh Doctor Drill ‘N Fill lets your child step into the role of dentist, using a set of colorful tools to fill the unfortunately patient’s multiple cavities. There’s also Shark Dentist and Crocodile Dentist which challenge players to remove damaged teeth from the mouth of an ill-tempered animal. The Playmobil Dentist Office is perfect for younger children. Each set comes with several figurines, a dentist chair, and various pieces of the same dental equipment that you’ll find in our office.
Fun Apps for Improving Oral Hygiene
Puppy Dentist and Libii Dentist, both free, let children choose and customize their patient, then use a variety of dental tools to complete challenging puzzles. The Talking Tina Tooth app from PhoneLiving features Tina, an animated tooth who responds to your child’s voice and touch, repeating words, dancing, and interacting. Use Brush Timer2 to demonstrate the amount of time that should be devoted to each brushing session.
Excellent oral health begins from an early age. To learn more about family dentistry in Lake Orion, MI, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Brad Greenfield, contact us at 248-693-6213. We welcome patients of all ages living in Lake Orion, Royal Oak, Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills, Oxford, and the neighboring communities.
