Taking your child to the dentist for the first time – or any time – can be scary for them, and challenging for you. But it’s also very important to instill good oral care habits in your kids at a young a
And while we are on the subjects of children and education, did you know that Iowa Law requires children entering kindergarten and 9th grade to have dental exams before attending school? They also recommend getting a dental exam every year before your child heads back to school. A healthy mouth leads to a healthy body, and a healthy body leads to better learning! Call in now to make an appointment before school starts!! 712-238-5125
To help you educate them on the experience and subdue some of their fears, we’ve picked out a handful of books about teeth and the dentist.
Dr. De Soto – This book by William Steig follows a mouse-dentist who has to give a check-up to a fox without getting eaten. It’s received great reviews since being originally published in 1982, and is one of the shortest books (32 pages) to be named a Newbery Honor Book.
The Berenstein Bears Visit the Dentist – In this book, Sister Bear watches Brother Bear have a cavity filled, and then has to have one of her baby teeth removed. It’s a great story to help kids get over their fears of having minor dental procedures performed.
Junie B., First Grader: Toothless Wonder – This is a good book for slightly older kids (6-8 years old). It’s a chapter book that follows Junie B., a first-grader who is the first in her class to get a loose tooth. She worries about the Tooth Fairy and if she’ll end up with bad teeth. It’s rated four out of five stars on Amazon.
ABC Dentist – This book by Harriet Ziefert, presents words associated with a trip to the dentist, such as appointment, cavity, plaque, and X-ray along with accompanying color illustrations.
Just Going To the Dentist – A Book from the Little Critter Series by Mercer Mayer, Little Critter Learns that it is not so bad to go to the dentist for the first time.
Going To the Dentist – This is a book from Usborne’s First Experiences Series in which children learn about things they might experience for the first time. Filled with humorous illustrations and fun text, this is a good book for children to read for themselves
The Crocodile and the Dentist – In this book by Taro Gomi, a crocodile is scared of going to the dentist, and the dentist is scared of working on the crocodile, but both put on a brave front and no one gets hurt and they agree to work together because taking care of your teeth is important. This book is one of the American Bookseller Association’s “Pick of the List”.
The Magic School Bus and the Missing Tooth – In this book by Jeanette Lane, Wanda finds a tooth in the back of Ms. Frizzle’s classroom, but who could have lost it? It’s small and sharp and it doesn’t look like a human tooth. Sounds like it’s time for a field trip with the Friz to explore what teeth do and why they have different shapes. Take off on the Magic School Bus for an adventure with lots of bite and find out all about teeth!
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