Alright, we’re not even going to try and answer that question. We can’t always figure kids out, and all of us here have a few. But with the things I do know about kids – and being a dentist to several young patients, here are a few things that might help:

• Just give them the fun toothbrush and yummy flavored toothpaste. It may cost you a few extra dollars, but if a princess toothbrush is going to get your child brushing…buy it. It might save you hundreds of dollars later in dental work.

• Give them an egg-timer. Make brushing their teeth a fun challenge. Have children see if they can brush for a solid two minutes before giving up. Sure, to them two minutes may seem way too long to be brushing their teeth and they may get bored. But that boredom will disappear when they realize that they did it – they got through two minutes of brushing.

• Reward them for brushing on their own. How often do you hear yourself saying, “Go brush your teeth and get ready for bed?” How about every night? At least, in my house we do. But what if you were to reward your child for remembering to brush and doing it on their own? Guess what they’ll want to do the next evening? You guessed it…brush their teeth.

• Make it a family event. The best way to teach children is through example. What would happen if you chose to brush your teeth at the same time your children do? They will learn how important clean teeth are to you. Plus, as an added bonus, if you brush your teeth earlier at night, you won’t be as tempted to indulge in late night snacking.

• Explain why it’s important. Children are often eager to obey their parents. But sometimes they have to be obstinate and learn things on their own. Instead of saying, “Because I said so,” why not try explaining how important healthy teeth and gums are?

• Get your kids to the dentist. You need help reinforcing good brushing and flossing. Plus, it gives your children a goal to work toward – no cavities when you visit the dentist next month.

Children have a mind of their own (no matter how hard we try). Work with them, try a few of these ideas, and you’ll see your children adopting good oral hygiene behaviors.

Now, when you are ready to take your child to the dentist, remember Roberts Dentistry is taking new patients. When you are looking for a dentist in Gilbert AZ choose the best!

To help you determine whether your concern is dentist-worthy, here are some signs to be looking for:

Your Gums Are Bleeding: your dentist is going to tell you there are all kinds of reasons why your gums might be bleeding. You could have something caught underneath them. Maybe you brushed too hard. Perhaps you flossed improperly. But more likely than not, you are suffering from a tooth or gum disease like gingivitis or periodontal disease.

If your gums bleed more than a few weeks (and you’ve been brushing and flossing properly) then it’s time to schedule a dental appointment.

Sensitive Teeth: you bite into a popsicle and get the worst shooting pain going right through your mouth. Sensitive teeth are one of the biggest complaints and reasons people visit the dentist. And it’s a good thing. Sensitive teeth today (even if they feel better tomorrow) may be your mouth’s way of saying you have an infection or that your teeth are decaying.

If your teeth are sensitive for more than a few days, it’s time to see the dentist. Early detection of problems can keep you from cavities, root canals, or other solutions.

Dryness in Your Mouth: saliva is your friend. Its job is to help wash away particles of food and keep your teeth free from bacteria. If you’re not producing enough saliva, you may notice an increase in bad breath.

If chewing sugarless gum or changing medical prescriptions doesn’t solve the problem, go see your dentist.

Cracked Teeth: years of chewing and working hard can damage your teeth. Especially since they can wear down as you get older. That wear can cause cracks in your teeth and cracks can lead to infections and bacteria.

If you notice your teeth are cracked or look different than normal, schedule that appointment. Let your dentist help you repair any damage and help you prevent further problems.

Here’s the truth of the matter…the dentist is never going to say you shouldn’t have come. If you need an appointment in addition to your six month check-up, then by all means, make that call. You can’t ever grow new teeth. And dentures and implants are never as good as the real thing. So protect those pearly whites and visit the dentist as often as you feel you need to.

Well, going to the dentist doesn’t have to be agonizing. In fact, if you’re at the right dentist, not only will you get the work done you need, but your attitude toward dentists might even change. It’s just a matter of finding the right dentist in Gilbert AZ – a dentist who rocks.

So what’s a sign that you’ve chosen a good Gilbert Dentist? And how do you avoid the others who aren’t so good? Here are 5 secret signs your dentist rocks (by the way, we fit them all):

1. Gives Stuff Away – as kids, didn’t your dentist hand out stickers, toothbrush and toothpaste? It wasn’t much of a consolation after having a cavity filled, but it still made you feel just a little bit better. If your dentist is so tight-fisted that you (or at least your kids) don’t get a free toothbrush, then you might want to rethink how much your dentist values your business.

2. Takes the Time to Learn Your Name – sure, the dentist is busy. He’s got a lot of patients to see. But one who doesn’t take the time to learn your name has no interest in you. And do you want someone working on your teeth that won’t take two seconds to learn your name? What else are they going to skip out on?

3. Has a Friendly Staff – nothing is worse than going to the dentist only to have the office staff treat you coldly or even rudely. If the office staff is kind and considerate, the dentist is a lot more likely to be so as well.

4. Has Great Reviews/Testimonials – there are dozens of sites that now rank doctors and dentists. Those rankings are determined by their patients. Now, you can determine beforehand if someone is worth working with based on their patient reviews or ratings. Plus, if you check out the dentist’s website, you should be overwhelmed with testimonials.

5. Keeps in Touch with You – the dentist is not always on your mind. Surprise, surprise. So. you need a dentist who takes the time to call, email or even send you a text message reminding you to schedule your 6-month check-up. Or, if you’ve been in for a root canal or something more serious, they will follow-up and see how you’re doing.

In Gilbert Arizona, you have a lot of choices in dental care. So don’t stay with a less-than-caring dentist. Find one who puts you first. And use these suggestions as a guideline on how you deserve to be treated.

Haven’t had a perfect dental experience? Then give Roberts Dentistry a try. We can’t wait to show you all the way we’re making dental work rock! Contact the best dentist in Gilbert AZ to schedule your appointment.

Funny Dental Masks from the Gilbert Dentist:

The Gilbert Dentist found these funny dental masks online the other day and we were wondering how you would feel if your dentist was wearing one of these masks while giving you a better smile, or working on your teeth. Let us know in the comments below! We love hearing from you.

Well we hope you have enjoyed these and gotten a good laugh out of them. We know we did.

Make it fun – Kids always want to play and have fun—that’s what makes them so special! They’re energetic, fun-loving, imaginative little beings; so naturally, the idea of making brushing their teeth enjoyable will make all the difference in the world. As a parent, you know the importance of having healthy teeth and gums. So try adding a little bit of fun into the mix so that your children enjoy their healthy choices too. Have your children pick out their own toothbrushes. You should encourage them to pick out something fun, colorful and most importantly, something that they’re excited about! This can apply to floss, disposable cups, and any other supplies that your children will need to keep their teeth in top condition.

Make it a habit – Like any habit, getting them in the routine of brushing their teeth will make it become expected and a natural part of their day. Be sure to sit with your children and help them brush their teeth in the morning and at night before bedtime. With time they’ll know that, at night for example, first comes brushing their teeth and then comes a fun bedtime story that they get to choose! Doing this over and over will help engrain this habit in them for the rest of their lives and will serve as the building blocks for their oral health.

Reward them – Be sure to reward and praise your children after they’ve done a great job of brushing their teeth. One way to do this is by creating a brush chart. When your children have brushed their teeth successfully for the day, add a sticker to the chart to keep track of their successes. When the end of the week comes, give them a prize such as picking what the family gets to eat for dinner or allowing them to choose the movie the family watches together that night.

Teach them why – Even though it’s not as fun as getting a prize, teaching your kids why they’re doing what they’re doing will help to put things into perspective for them. Kids may not always completely grasp the full scope of how brushing their teeth can keep them healthy. However, the simple act of explaining the reasons to them can satisfy their curiosity and even make them want to do it more. You don’t have to launch into a scientific oral essay about the science behind it – even something as simple as finding an eye-catching children’s book on the subject matter will suffice.

Let them do the brushing – Especially with smaller children, you may be tempted to do the brushing for them. Let them brush their own teeth and then go in and brush them correctly to catch any areas they may have missed. This way, your children are involved, stay interested and don’t dread sitting still and doing nothing themselves.

Take them to the Gilbert Dentist – Ok, ok, we know… this one may not exactly register as a way to keep those kiddos brushing. But by making appointments to take your children regularly to the dentist, you’ll not only help to calm their fears about dental visits, you can also angle the trip as a fun one! Make sure your children are going to a kids dentist who’s fun, patient and more importantly, very experienced with working with children. Especially if you’re looking for a dentist in Gilbert, give Dr. Roberts’ and his team a call. They would be more than happy to help ease your children’s fears and make their trip to the dentist as enjoyable as possible!

Although no two children are the same, simply trying some of these tricks can help to create more interest in brushing their teeth. Your children may not be thrilled about this important habit now, but rest assured, they’ll be sure to thank you later when they’re flashing a healthy, beautiful smile around town!

Give us a call to schedule your appointment with the best dentist in Gilbert, AZ.