Behavior Guidance in Decatur, IL

We know that the earlier your child is introduced to the dentist, the better chance they have of having happy and healthy mouths. Regular dental check-ups at our pediatric dental office are a must! 

We make every effort to have each appointment be both fun and educational because we know that kids are more likely to practice proper dental hygiene into adulthood if they are excited about it.

Building At-Home Oral Hygiene Habits

Children learn by example, and parents are the best resource for learning what great dental care means. Brush with your child so that they see how important dental hygiene is. Making it a fun experience can get them excited to brush and floss. 

• Your child should brush for a MINIMUM of two minutes twice per day – in the morning after breakfast and in the evening at least thirty minutes after they have eaten.
• It is important that your child has the right tools for the job. Finding the best toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss for their age group will give them the best chance of succeeding with great brushing. Ask our staff for details on what your child should be using and make sure to replace their toothbrushes regularly!
• Using vertical movements, your child should brush the front and back of each and every one of their teeth. Until they are about eight years old, it is important that you help them brush their back teeth as they do not have the dexterity to reach them. A gentle brush of their gums under their lips can also help promote healthier gums.
• Flossing each time your child brushes their teeth can get all of the excess food particles that get left behind by brushing.  The space in-between each of their teeth is one of the worst breeding-grounds for cavity-causing decay which makes flossing one of the most important parts of great dental hygiene. 

Encouraging Good Behavior at Our Children's Dentist Office

We know that kids can get anxious about new experiences and this may cause them to act out. Other kids may have special needs that make dental appointments challenging for a variety of reasons.

Each member of our team is specially trained in children’s dentistry, and we have a number of tricks up our sleeves to help kids have a great appointment. Some of the techniques we use include:

Tell, Show, Do – We tell your child what we are about to do, show them the instrument we are going to use, and then perform the treatment when they are ready. They are never caught by surprise, and we will answer their questions and let them touch the instruments, when appropriate.

Kid-Friendly Language – Dentistry, like all health care fields, has a lot of jargon, which can be confusing and scary for kids. We use descriptive, simple language that kids can understand.

Friendly, Compassionate Staff – Each of our team is here because they love working with kids! A kind word and a friendly smile goes a long way toward alleviating fears and worries.

Most of all, we make our office fun!

Fun Events at Jerger Pediatric Dentistry!

Our staff loves to have fun! Don’t be surprised if you see a staff member armed with a Nerf gun hiding around a corner or running around the waiting room! Kids love being a part of the action, and we know that keeping them occupied and smiling is the best way to care for them. Our staff also likes to reward great dental hygiene any chance we can get. We know that positive reinforcement goes a long way with children, so we offer special things for children who go the extra mile.

Smiles of the Month ­– Any child with a cavity-free checkup gets their photo taken and hung up on our special wall. This wall can be seen by anyone who comes into our office and is a source of pride for any child who sees their face in the place of honor!

Candy Buy Back – Halloween brings plenty of sweet treats into the hands of children. We offer $1 per pound of candy, up to 5lbs. The best part about our buy back is that all of the candy is then given to Operation Gratitude and sent to our troops! This is a highly anticipated event in our office, and the children really enjoy being a part of something so huge.

Get Started with Our Children's Dentist in Decatur, IL Today! 

To schedule a regular dental exam or to ask us any questions, please give our dentist office a call at (217) 875-3080.