Helping Your Child Prepare for Dental Procedures
As parents we do our very best to help our children develop a good routine of dental hygiene. However, no matter how hard you try, your child may still end up with a cavity or some other tooth damage. Especially for young children, this can be a very scary moment, knowing that they will have to have a tooth repaired. We do our best at Smile Brightly to help your child feel comfortable and ease their tension during the procedure. However, there is nothing that helps a child feel more secure about a dental procedure than the support of their parent. If your child needs something bigger than a cleaning, here are some ways that you can help them prepare.
Leave Your Own Fears Behind
Many of us have our own fears of going to the dentist, or dental procedures. Perhaps you had a bad experience as a child or maybe you just have a fear of needles. We can all understand those fears, but if you express these fears to your child, before their dental procedure, you may find that they have fear of the experience, before it even happens. It is for this reason that we suggest that parents try to keep an optimistic outlook about visiting the dentist, even if it is only for your child. This will make them feel more comfortable having a tooth repaired and it will make our job, as your child’s dentist, easier because your child will be calm and relaxed about the experience.
Talk About the Procedure
If your child is old enough or you feel they are mature enough, you may want to discuss the procedure with them so that they know what they can expect. We find that this is very helpful for older children who are having teeth extracted for the first time, or a first time filling. Some kids even benefit from seeing the procedure done, beforehand. If this is the case, don’t search through YouTube or the library on your own. Give us a call, and we can suggest books or videos that will show the procedure, but leave out the drama of YouTube.
Follow All Care Instructions
We will provide you with instructions for preparing your child for the procedure and then follow-up care instructions. These are intended to make the procedure as comfortable as possible, both during the procedure and afterwards. We may offer suggestions for pain medications and food limitations before and after the procedure that are intended to reduce discomfort. If your child feels comfortable and has minimal pain, this can make it easier for them to have other procedures in the future.
When in Doubt, Call Us
We are always here to answer your questions and give you suggestions on how to help your child prepare for a dental procedure. As your child’s dentist, we want their experience and yours to be as painless as possible. So, if you need help preparing your child for their dental procedure, whether it’s a small filling or an extraction, we are happy to provide help and guidance.
Creating a positive experience for your child, even during challenging dental procedures, will help them have a good opinion about going to the dentist. Sure, they probably won’t ever like having a filling, a crown or a tooth pulled, but they won’t fear visiting our office in the future. As their parent, this level of comfort starts with you.
Searching For A Dentist in the Warren, Michigan Area?
If you are looking for a Warren dentist that will provide gentle dental care for your whole family, look no further than Warren dentist, Dr. Apsey and the team at Smile Brightly. We are experts at providing a gentle and nurturing dental experience. To schedule a dental appointment at or Warren dental office or to learn more about our practice, call us today at (586) 573-7700.