Children who experience sensory overload issues may have a difficult time when it comes to regular checkups—both medical and dental. While selecting a children’s dentist with special needs experience is one of the optimal ways to ensure a more comfortable appointment for your child, there are also other steps you can take to make this visit easier. If you’re headed to the children’s dentist with someone who has sensory overload, consider the following approaches to create a successful and safe environment.

Prepare Ahead of Time

A routine dental appointment can prove daunting for a child with sensory overload issues. From the varying smells, tastes, textures, and sounds, your child may feel overwhelmed by this new environment. Before the appointment, speak with your child about what they can expect. This might include the different tools the dentist will use or the actions the staff will take. Knowing ahead of time what will happen during this appointment can help you—and them—come up with proper coping mechanisms ahead of time.

Keep Them Distracted on Something Else

There are several different techniques you can use to help keep your child busy and calm. If your child relies on tools like a therapy band or stress ball, have an exercise ready for them to complete while in the dentist’s chair. If your child is sensitive to light, bring a pair of sunglasses to help them cope with the brightness. Additionally, if your child has relaxing music they enjoy, a personal headset allows them to listen and block out some of the abnormal sounds.

Communicate With the Children’s Dentist

To ensure a successful appointment at the dentist, speak with the office ahead of time about your child’s condition and requirements. You can inform the staff about what particular experiences may overwhelm your child, whether it’s the movement of the chair or the noise of the cleaning tools, which will allow them to alter their procedures when necessary to make it more comfortable.

If your child is coping with sensory overload and you need a dentist who is committed to providing excellent and compassionate care, visit the professionals at Alaska Dentistry for Kids in Anchorage. They offer vital preventive and restorative services for children, as well as emergency and special needs dentistry. To learn more about this dental office, visit them online, or call (907) 274-2525 to schedule an appointment with a children’s dentist today.