Get your kids interested in dental care with these entertaining and educational books.
Reading books together is one of the most important things parents can do with their kids.
There are a number of benefits of reading as a family that go beyond strengthening your parent–child bond. Reading aloud with your kids improves their speech skills, reading comprehension, critical thinking skills, and even their performance in school! It’s also a fantastic method of helping kids understand the world around them, including the world of dental health and dentist visits.
Whether your child is just learning about dental care at home or you need a helping hand in preparing your child for an upcoming visit to the dentist, there’s a book that covers the subject.
Here are some of our favorite recommended dental care titles for your youngsters.
Board Books
Books perfect for babies and toddlers up to around 3 years of age.
1. “Brush, Brush, Brush!” by Alicia Padron
“Brush, Brush, Brush!” is a board book perfectly suited for parents who are teaching their toddlers about brushing their teeth. This book rhymes and can easily be sung rather than read. Many parents find that reciting the familiar songs or rhymes in this book during brushing helps their toddlers stay engaged.
2. “The Tooth Book” by Dr. Seuss
For decades kids and parents have bonded over Dr. Seuss’s books. “The Tooth Book” is a great addition to your child’s home library. It features all of the charm and the rhymes that kids love about Dr. Seuss in addition to some really simple facts very young kids can absorb. This title is more of an ode to teeth in general rather than dental care or dentist visits.
3. “Celebrate! Going to the Dentist” by Sophia Day
If your child is already showing signs of anxiety about visiting the dentist, this Celebrate! title is a great choice. This book acknowledges kids’ nervousness about visiting a dentist, which some books don’t do, and focuses on warmly quelling these worries.
4. “We’re Going to the Dentist: Going for a Check-up” by Marion Cocklico
With colorful pages, flaps to flip, and tabs to move, “We’re Going to the Dentist” is perfect for very young kids who are preparing for their first appointment. Not only will your child be engaged, but you’ll also find helpful tips just for you at the bottom of each page.
Early Picture Books
Introductory books for preschoolers to second graders.
5. “Brush Your Teeth, Please: A Pop-up Book” by Jean Pidgeon
Who doesn’t love a good pop-up book? “Brush Your Teeth, Please” goes over dental hygiene and the importance of brushing and flossing. Each spread features a different animal and interactive tasks so your child can help the animal floss or brush.
6. “Just Going to the Dentist” by Mercer Mayer
Mercer Mayer’s popular Little Critter character heads to the dentist in this heartwarming book. This title covers everything from x-rays to teeth cleaning and cavity treatment in a way that’s intriguing and encouraging for kids. This book is a bit older, but still a favorite for many families.
7. “The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist” by Stan and Jan Berenstain
The Berenstain Bears books are tried and true classics, with many kids being drawn to them as well as their show. “The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist” focuses on Sister Bear and Brother Bear, including treating a small cavity and dealing with a loose baby tooth. You can also find the cartoon episode on YouTube for free.
8. “Sugar Bugs” by Erica Weisz
“Sugar Bugs” follows a boy named Robbie who becomes friends with a sugar bug family named the Mutans. Robbie soon learns that his “friends” aren’t really who he thought and winds up getting help from a very friendly dentist.
Picture Books
Picture books with a little more detail.
9. “The Tooth Book: A Guide to Healthy Teeth and Gums” by Edward Miller
For a more informative approach to dental care for kids ages 5 and up, “The Tooth Book” is the perfect introductory guide. This book is loaded with as many fun illustrations as educational facts. In fact, we bet you’ll even learn something new while reading this book with your kids.
10. “How to Catch the Tooth Fairy” by Adam Wallace
If your child is about to experience their first tooth fairy visit, this book is a charming bedtime story to share. Together you’ll follow a tooth fairy on her adventure during the night, including dodging hilarious traps along the way. This book also rhymes, making it even more fun to read aloud.
11. “Sugarbug Doug: All About Cavities, Plaque, and Teeth” by Dr. Ben Magleby
Written by a dentist, this colorful book follows a sugar bug named Doug and goes into detail about what “sugar bugs” are and how they affect our smiles. This title is easy to understand and considerably informative for kids under the age of 5.
12. “Open Wide: Tooth School Inside” by Laurie Keller
With a very unique illustration style, “Open Wide” is equal amounts amusing and educational. This book covers everything from tooth structure to proper oral hygiene in a manner that’s a little bit silly but very memorable. This is a little longer than the other titles featured, but a very easy read nonetheless.
We’d love to hear about your kid’s favorite new book during their next dental check-up!
As a dedicated family dentist in Ada, our team loves to hear about how our young patients are doing during their check-ups. That includes what they’ve been reading lately! If your child fell in love with one of the books we’ve featured or one that isn’t on this list, encourage them to tell us about it. Many of our young kids even bring their favorite book in with them to show to their dentist.
By the way, have you booked your child’s next appointment yet? We recommend a schedule of every six months. You can get ahead of schedule and book their visit now by calling our office or filling out this online scheduling form.
