As parents, we tend to fondly remember the toys that we played with when we were younger—and we might even try to get our own children interested in some of these toys! That said, when it comes to toys, it’s important to acknowledge the potential influence they can have, and the right toy can even nudge a child toward being more inclined to care for their pearly whites! Continue reading below to learn a little more from your trusted pediatric dentist about a few of the benefits of dentistry-themed toys, along with a few exciting options you shouldn’t hesitate to pick up for your little one.
What Are Some Benefits of Dentistry-Themed Toys?
Toys aren’t purely for entertainment—certainly, some toys are more fun or interactive than others, but there are toys out there that are undeniably useful when it comes to educating children. Dental-themed toys are no exception, though they might not be the first thing to come to mind. In any case, here are some advantages that these toys can offer:
1. They Expand Dental Knowledge
Children are naturally curious, so allowing them to learn things on their own is beneficial—and dentistry-themed toys can facilitate this. They can inform kiddos about all sorts of things relating to dentistry, including what certain tools are used for, how teeth are meant to look and function, and many more fundamental aspects.
2. They Help Prepare Children for the Dental Office
It’s normal for children to feel a little hesitant or frightened about visiting the dentist, but they might feel more comfortable if they’ve role-played with toys beforehand. The more familiar a child feels about visiting the dentist, the more likely things are to go smoothly for all parties involved.
3. They Promote Excellent Oral Hygiene
It goes without saying that oral hygiene matters from a very young age—even before the eruption of your child’s first baby tooth! But as they become older and more independent, it falls on them to care for their pearly whites. Dentistry-themed toys can directly help with this; toys that allow children to practice caring for their teeth can help them establish a proper oral hygiene regimen early on that sets them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
What Are Some Good Options?
These days, online and brick-and-mortar retailers alike offer a wide range of dentistry-themed toys for children of all ages, meaning that you and your child have several options to choose from! That said, here are a few popular options in 2023:
- Crocodile dentist
- Chatter teeth or a dental model
- Giant toothbrush
- Dentist costume/role-play kit
- Brushing timer
- Gumchucks
Children might consider dental hygiene nothing more than a boring chore if you aren’t making an effort to liven things up—but by providing your kiddo with dental-themed toys, you’re showing them that it can be both fun and worthwhile to maintain a dazzling bright set of pearly whites!
About the Practice
Here at Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we’re proud to provide families in the Randolph, MA community with an unrivaled level of high-quality care. We offer a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, restorative, and orthodontic treatment options for patients of all ages. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to arrange a visit for you or a loved one, feel free to contact our team online or over the phone for additional information or assistance. Telephone: (781) 767-7200.