Keeping up with regular visits to the dentist is a great way to ensure your child has excellent oral health, but what happens when regular visits reveal that they have a cavity? Even with the best intentions, eating healthy, regular teeth brushing, and visits to the dentists, cavities can still happen. You can’t ignore it, so that means a filling is in order.
If this is your child’s first experience with a cavity and filling, there is no doubt that nerves will be a factor. So how can you keep them calm and make them feel more comfortable about the process? Here are some invaluable tips parents can use.
Ensure Your Dentist is Comfortable Working with Kids
One of the first steps you’ll want to take is to ensure you are taking them to a dentist that has experience with children and is comfortable working with them. Some dentists are just better with adults, so you want to be sure it is a family-friendly practice.
Take, for example, Brunswick Dentist, a family dentist in Brunswick, Victoria, who has plenty of experience working with young kids. They do all they can to ensure kids feel comfortable sitting in the chair, help to get rid of any fears or doubts they may have and are happy to answer their questions. These special touches alone can make all the difference in terms of how well the appointment goes.
Discuss What to Expect with Kids
It can also be beneficial to discuss what to expect with kids, letting them know how long the appointment will take, what the dentist will be doing (no need to go into great details), some of the sounds they may hear, the fact their mouth will feel funny because of the freezing, and so forth. By discussing the steps involved, again can help to dispel some of their fear.
Discuss Pain Relief with the Dentist Beforehand
You will also want to be sure you discuss pain relief with the dentist before the appointment takes place. Often nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is quite helpful as it helps calm a child down and provide a bit of pain relief. A dentist can give this before the needle with the anesthesia in it.
Bring an Item that Makes Them Feel Comfortable
Of course, it doesn’t hurt to bring along your child’s favorite soft toy to help them feel a bit more comfortable while in the chair, and it will also give them something to focus on during the procedure.
You Need to Stay Calm
Above all else, parents need to stay calm. Your child will look to you and read your cues. If you seem nervous and anxious, then they will reflect the same feelings. If they see you calm and relaxed, they will feel reassured that this is nothing to worry about.
A Smoother Appointment for All
Using these tips to help calm your child down will make the appointment much smoother for all, and they will walk out of there with a positive experience.
