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Taking your child to the dentist at an early age is the first step on their journey to excellent oral health. This isn’t just important because it establishes good habits, but also because your little one may have cavities. Approximately 20% of kids between the age of 5 and 11 suffer from untreated tooth decay. Your child’s provider can treat them with a filling, but if they’ve never had one before, it may cause some anxiety. Here’s how you can help prepare them for the experience.

How to Prepare Your Child for a Dental Filling

1. Explain It Gently

You don’t have to go into great detail when you explain the process of getting a filling. The idea is to soften the experience while remaining honest throughout. For example, don’t talk specifically about needles. Call it a poke or a sprayer instead, and stress the fact that it’s over quickly.

Don’t talk about drills, either, as the thought of a tool can be alarming to children. Instead, say it’s a washer used to clean out sugar. By using selective language, you will help your child face the experience differently.

2. Convey Your Experiences

dentistIf you’ve had a filling before, now is a good time to tell your child about it. Again, use gentle terminology to convey the tone of the visit. Explain that you didn’t feel anything except numbness, and that while it tickles a little bit, it doesn’t cause pain. You should also inform them that cavities are common among people of all ages and that, more importantly, their teeth will be as good as new when the dentist is done.

3. Bring Something Comforting

It can even be overwhelming for parents to watch their child go through something new for the first time. While this is natural, you should do your best to control your emotions so that your child sees your demeanor and tries to replicate it.

You can also take steps to make it as comfortable an experience as possible. Dress them in their favorite clothes, and bring along something to the dentist’s office that’s a reminder of home, like a stuffed animal or another toy. It may serve as a suitable distraction.
 

 

You can trust in the caring dentists at Bethel Family Dentistry in Bethel, OH, to provide your child with compassionate care. They serve everyone in the family, providing dental exams and treatments for toothaches and gum disease. To schedule an appointment, give them a call at (513) 734-2029.

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