Letting him hold the mirror sounds like such a smart move. I totally get what you mean about wanting him to feel involved instead of just distracted. My kid was the same—super chatty until we actually got into the chair, then suddenly silent. I was nervous about showing dentist videos too, honestly, because some look a bit much. I think you’re doing great by balancing info and gentle distraction... every kid reacts so differently, and it’s all trial and error anyway.
Letting him hold the mirror sounds like such a smart move. I totally get what you mean about wanting him to feel involved instead of just distracted.
Honestly, I wish more parents realized how important that sense of involvement is. I’ve seen so many kids freeze up the second they feel like something’s being “done to them” instead of with them. The mirror trick’s gold—sometimes I’ll even let a kid “help” count their teeth or pick which tool I use next (within reason, obviously). Makes the whole thing less mysterious.
I do kind of disagree about dentist videos though. Some are a bit dramatic, yeah, but a well-chosen one can really help demystify things if you preview it first. My own niece was terrified until she saw a cartoon one with silly sound effects—suddenly, she was curious instead of scared. But you’re right, it’s trial and error. What works for one kid can totally backfire for another.
At the end of the day, it’s all about reading your kid’s vibe and not pushing too hard. Sometimes just letting them sit in the chair and play with the water squirter is enough for that first visit.
My youngest was two when she first went, and honestly, she was more interested in the spinning chair than anything else. We let her “help” polish her own tooth (with the brush off, of course). She still talks about it like it was a trip to Disneyland. I’m with you—if they feel like they’re part of the process, it’s way less scary. Dentist videos were a no-go for us though… she thought they were “too weird.”
I get what you mean about making it fun, but I’m always worried they’ll get too distracted and not take it seriously later on. My kid was super anxious, and honestly, the dentist’s office still freaks her out a bit. Maybe I’m just overthinking, but I wish she’d watch those videos—even if they’re weird—just to know what to expect.
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, making things fun doesn’t mean kids won’t take it seriously later. If anything, it helps them associate the dentist with something less scary. I’ve seen a lot of anxious kiddos relax after playing pretend dentist at home or even just watching silly videos about teeth. It’s totally normal for kids to be nervous—sometimes it just takes a few visits and a bit of play to shift their mindset. I wouldn’t stress too much if she’s not into the videos right now... sometimes just talking through what’ll happen works better anyway.
