Want a Nice Trip to the Dentist for Your Child? Try Dentistry Toys!

Ever wonder why pediatricians keep toys in the lobbies of their offices? Sure, they keep kids occupied, but they also comfort them. They make a potentially scary place seem more familiar. Plus, toys fire up a kid’s imagination. How many little girls grew up wanting to be ballerinas because they were given a doll wearing a tutu when they were little?

It doesn’t stop at ballerinas and Army soldiers, though; there are toys out there that allow children to be dentists, too! In this article, we’ll discuss a few and how they could be beneficial to your little tyke.

Types of Toys

Since you’re a modern parent and Toys ‘R’ Us has gone the way of the dodo bird, a quick internet search of dentistry toys will turn up endless possibilities!

Dental toys are often sold as kits and commonly include hygiene items like toothbrushes and flosses, but extensive kits with more pieces feature fun things like clear aligners, oversized teeth with braces, vibrating drills and polishers, white coats, cavity stickers, and a whole lot more.

Hands-on, tactile objects like these develop skills like counting, hand-eye coordination, memory, and empathy. Amazing what a little dressing up and playing pretend will do!

Benefits of Dentistry Toys

Make Dental Visits Less Intimidating

Dentistry toys allow children to explore dental concepts in a comfortable environment. Playing with these items can help children become familiar with what they may see during an actual appointment.

Parents can also use pretend play to explain what happens during a dental visit in simple, positive language. Familiarity may make the experience feel less mysterious!

Encourage Good Oral Hygiene

Want your kid to grow up knowing how to take care of their teeth? Then start them early! Pretending to brush and floss not only encourages them to do it in real life, but acting as a dentist themselves or having a friend do it teaches them the downfalls of neglecting their oral health.

Help Parents Talk About Oral Health

Dental toys can give parents an easy way to start conversations about oral health. Instead of simply telling a child that they need to brush their teeth, parents can demonstrate the process through play.

For example, you could have your child “check” a toy’s teeth, pretend to clean them and talk about why keeping teeth clean is important.

Important (and Future?) Vocation

You never know what will set a child on their course to their future profession, and there are far worse things they could do than become a dentist! Even if they don’t end up making it their career choice, introducing them to dentistry toys may impress upon them the importance of dentistry and good oral healthcare.

A positive attitude toward oral health can begin long before a child’s first dental appointment. Dentistry-themed toys provide a simple way to introduce children to dental concepts, encourage healthy habits and make dental care feel less intimidating.

About the Practice

Stroud Pediatric Dentistry in Willow Park has all the services your child needs under one roof. Drs. Robert Stroud and Michael Ball have advanced training in pediatric dental care, but even more importantly, they love helping growing smiles. To learn more about us or to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (817) 441-2425.