It’s here! Summer break that is. Your kids are out of school and at home all day. (Deep breaths). Now I’m sure there are a few trips planned and it’s not all chaos. But I remember what it was like! (It wasn’t that long ago). Oh who am I kidding…it was a long time ago.

I remember waking up around lunchtime, staying in my pj’s all day, playing video games, watching TV and being on the phone A LOT. We ate all the junk food we weren’t supposed to eat and of course quenched our thirst with Slurpees. It was the life. Of course we told our parents we woke up at 9 am, brushed our teeth, showered, ate a healthy breakfast and absolutely did not eat a Cinnabon at Tysons.

That’s why it’s no surprise when I look at the schedule and see little Johnny on the books for a cleaning at 9 am that I know I’m in for some attitude. The last place Johnny wants to be is in my chair getting his teeth polished. Johnny wants to be in bed and we all know it. So I use a technique that I have seen work really well recently: Bribery.

1) Want to watch your favorite show or movie? Sure thing! Open up and let us take some pics and polish your teeth. You can watch Netflix, Hulu, HGTV, ESPN..etc.. Voila! Your wish is granted and you have beautiful, sparkling white teeth.

2) Want to wear your pj’s to your dental cleaning and just go to sleep? Not a problem for us! First of all, our chairs are probably the most comfortable dental chairs you have ever sat in. We’ll put a bite block in there and you can snooze right away. We will clean away your plaque (and your drool) and we’re all happy campers.

3) Want a Slurpee and a Cinnabon?? Tough luck. I like you too much to let you eat that much sugar. But we can use some fun flavors of prophy paste that you may really like. How about Strawberry Cheesecake, Sugar Cookie, Triple Chocolate Brownie, Strawberry Margarita, or Pina Colada as some delicious choices?

Before you know it Fall will be among us and the kids will be back in stressful work mode. I wish you all a safe Summer break and hope you remember to brush your teeth after enjoying that delicious ice cream cone on a hot Summer day. 🙂

-Dr. Chand