Let’s face it—sometimes parents just have to make their kids do things. They may not want to do them, but they have to. Like—dare we say it—brushing and flossing their teeth? But does it have to be this way? Not if you bring your children to see Hillsboro kids dentist Dr. Michael Royse at Dentists at Orenco for Kids. As a pediatric dentist, Dr. Royse has a few tricks up his sleeve to make oral healthcare more fun for children and parents.
Make Oral Hygiene a Family Affair
Once your children are old enough to brush their own teeth—usually around the age of seven or eight—don’t let them brush alone. Even if their bedtime is a few hours before yours, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with brushing your teeth twice in a night! You’re certainly familiar with the saying, “monkey see monkey do.” Well, if your children see you make brushing and flossing a priority, then they are more likely to do the same.
Play Pretend Before a Trip to the Dentist
If your children are toddlers, then some play-acting before a visit to Dr. Royse’s office can be very helpful. All you need is a toothbrush and a favorite doll of stuffed animal. Pretend the toy is the patient and you’re the dentist. Show your child how the dentist looks at their teeth, counts their teeth and cleans their teeth. Then, let your child be the dentist. Children are often more at ease when they know what to expect.
Visiting the Dentist for the First Time
Dr. Royse would like to see your child for a “happy visit” around the time that his or her first tooth appears, or by the time they’re one year old. This visit is simply a chance for the Hillsboro children’s dentist to visually examine their mouth to ensure that teeth and gums are healthy. At these visits, children are often most comfortable sitting in mommy or daddy’s lap and that’s just fine with us. We want your children to always have happy memories of seeing the dentist.
As your child matures, their dental checkups will become more and more like yours. We’ll take digital x-rays annually to find any hidden spots of decay and we’ll clean and polish their teeth. Dr. Royse will keep a close watch on your children’s developing smiles and recommend any additional services.
Each visit to Dentists at Orenco for Kids concludes with a trip to our treasure chest of small toys where they can choose one to take home with them.
Call Our Office Today
If you have any questions about your children’s oral health, or if you need to schedule a dental checkup, contact Dentists at Orenco for Kids today.