Dealing with a child during a dental filling procedure can be a daunting task, even for a dentist who is nice with kids. As a parent, you will need to prepare your child adequately so that they can learn that although the procedure is quite invasive, it is painless. For a parent, watching the dental filling can be a nerve-racking affair as you are forced to witness the drilling and poking of your child's teeth. Here are some tips to help you calm your child's nerves and lessen that dental phobia.
Role-Playing and Simulation – Prior to the appointment date, role-play with your child and let them be in charge. Have all the gear available to simulate the situation as accurately as possible. You can let the child be the dentist, and you play the patient. Switch the roles to familiarise the kid with the perspective of the patient. Role-playing and simulation are the safest and most effective ways of preparing the child for the dental procedure.
Composure -- The whole dental filling procedure is not for the weak-hearted. Therefore, the parent who accompanies the child to the dentist should be comfortable with this procedure. If you exhibit any signs of fear in front of your kid, they will replicate your demeanor. A calm parent assures the child that all will be well even if that is not usually the case. If the sight of blood, needles, and probing is not your cup of tea, then you better let your partner take over.
Oral Sedative and Laughing Gas -- Kids can be very anxious, especially if this procedure is being performed for the very first time. Anxiety can breed panic, causing the kid to be aggressive, and thus, they may put the whole process in disarray. An oral sedative is appropriate for young children because it does not have that strong punch that can be detrimental to them. As for older children, the dentist can administer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to alleviate anxiety, allowing the dental filling procedure to run smoothly. These substances also numb the pain associated with this procedure.
Toys -- It can be helpful when you give your child their favorite toy to cuddle during the entire procedure. The toy offers a sense of security and familiarity that the dentist or parent cannot provide when the child needs them most. Ensure that the toy is appropriate for the child's age. Also, note that this trick might not work on children who have long discarded their favorite toys. As such, you may be forced to pull another trick from your bag.
Share12 September 2016
I have worked as a school nurse for decades. Children come to me with all sorts of scrapes and bumps and bruises. Black eyes from playing football, sprained wrists from falling off the monkey bars and stomachaches from too many sweets are common complaints. However, the issue that seems to cause the greatest angst is tooth problems. Sometimes a child will have a second tooth knocked out when playing sport and parents arrive in tears. At other times, children come to my office crying because their friends are teasing them about teeth that are discoloured or stick out. I take an active interest in the latest dental news so that I can give parents and children comfort and advice. I have included some of my collected wisdom on these pages. Perhaps this information can help you understand some options when faced with a dental problem. Thank you for reading.