Since children can’t see plaque, it can be hard for them to understand why they need to brush their teeth.
At the end of a busy day of parenting, the last thing you want is to fight with your kids to brush their teeth. However, all too often, that is exactly what it feels like – a fight. If your children don’t establish proper dental hygiene habits when they’re young, they could end up with costly or unsightly dental problems down the line. And with the amount of sugar that kids can get their hands on nowadays, you should definitely be concerned about cavities.
This dental practice is excellent with my daughter (25 y/o with autism). The entire team is kind, patient, and understanding. They take time to explain what will be happening and only recommend procedures that are truly necessary.
The staff never rushes and makes patients feel comfortable and supported. They are very in tune with sensory challenges. It’s clear they care deeply about creating a positive experience and treating everyone with dignity.
We heartily recommend Dr. Hoffmann and his team.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear your daughter feels comfortable and supported. Dr. Hoffmann and our team truly appreciate your recommendation.
Best decision I ever made was coming here. Highly recommend. The front office is great, Lena is awesome and docs are so good. Plus you get sweet glasses while they work 😎
Dr. Thom and the entire staff at the Dental Anesthesia Center were warm, friendly and welcoming to me and my husband. My husband has dementia and needed extensive dental work. Dr. Thom took the time to explain to me what needed to be done before the procedure began. My husband is now fully recovered and doing just fine. I'm so grateful that we were referred to the Dental Anesthesia Center. Thank you!!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re honored to hear that you felt welcomed and supported by our team. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and are grateful for your trust in our office!
Dr. Thoms and staff are Amazing! My son is Autistic and he loves it there. It’s always scary to put your child with disabilities under anesthesia. So it’s a relief to have such compassionate professionals to rely upon They are so sweet and kind to him it’s so nice to have people who genuinely care.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! Our team is dedicated to creating a comfortable and supportive experience for everyone who visits our office. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback and for trusting us with your family’s care.
The Dental Anesthesia Center (DAC) is awesome. When I started there 19 years ago my dental health had deteriorated and my fears were intense. Their expertise and compassion got me back on the right dental track. I still get nervous - but things are so much better now in terms of my dental and gum health.. Don't lose hope - try the DAC!
My appointment today was for a cleaning - and a standard check of gum health etc. Carrie - as always - did EXCELLENT work. She is very kind and thorough and knowledgeable .. and patiently answers all my questions. Carrie is positive and supportive with us patients ... and provides guidance on better at-home care for our teeth and gums.
My thanks also to the office staff who are very helpful with questions or concerns.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your continued trust and kind words! We're honored to have be part of your journey. It means so much to know we've made a lasting impact—your story is truly inspiring!
Check out these creative and easy tips if you want to avoid struggling with your children twice a day (at least).
Gross Them Out – Children tend to respond well to being grossed out and there are few things grosser than what happens when you don’t brush your teeth. You may consider showing your children age-appropriate pictures of ulcers, gum disease, and tooth decay that can evolve when you don’t brush your teeth, to drive the point home.
Get Visual – Visuals and experiments are great ways to help children learn life long oral hygiene habits. Since children can’t see plaque, it can be hard for them to understand why they need to brush their teeth. To give them a good visual, you can buy plaque disclosing tablets at the pharmacy. When your child chews one of these tablets, it will dye the plaque on their teeth so they can see it and brush it away. Another great experiment involves eggs and soda. Have your child place hard boiled eggs in soda. Leave the egg in the soda for a few days so your child can physically see what happens to teeth when you drink soda and don’t brush.
Be the Example – Some children want to be just like mommy or daddy. Take advantage of this by setting an example for great oral hygiene.
Rewards System – Instituting a rewards system is a great way to keep track of how much your kids are brushing and encourage positive behaviors. Child psychologists argue that rewarding positive behavior is an important way to help your child develop healthy self-esteem.
Accessorize – From toothbrushes to toothpaste, to timers, there are literally hundreds of products on the market to entice your children to brush their teeth. Is there a particular character your child loves? You can almost certainly find a toothbrush with their likeness. Let your child pick out his or her own toothbrush so they feel like they have some agency.
At Least Twice a Day
These tips should help your children understand just how important brushing their teeth is.
If you’re still frustrated after trying these creative tricks, speak with your pediatric dentist for advice. Some children have severe phobias and anxiety surrounding oral care, in which case you’ll likely benefit from professional help and possibly sedation dentistry.
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