It can be a challenge to take your child to the dentist. Who can blame them, all the smells, someone poking in your mouth, and sounds of the drill. I don’t know many adults who like going. Even a cleaning can be overwhelming and even traumatic for many children and even adults.
Unfortunately, dental check-ups and treatments are a necessity for children. Because their teeth are still changing, it can take several visits to ensure everything is taken care of.
How can you help ease your little ones next dental visit?
Start early
The earlier you start going to the dentist the better. “This will provide your child with a ‘dental home’ where all her needs — whether a periodic preventive visit or an emergency — will be taken care of,” says Rhea Haugseth, D.M.D., president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Keep it fun and simple
Avoid going into depth about the appointment, it can cause more anxiety. Try not to say negative words such as pain or hurt. If you don’t like going to the dentist, don’t let them know. Whatever you do, don’t tell them about any negative experience you may have had at the dentist
“My favorite thing to have parents tell their child is that we are going to check their smile and count their teeth — that’s it, nothing else,” says Michael J. Hanna, D.M.D., a pediatric dentist in McKee Rocks, Pennsylvania, and a national spokesperson of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Read a book the child can easily understand with pictures can help them understand what to expect. A few of my child’s favorite include, Dora the Explorer’s Show Me Your Smile!: A Visit to the Dentist and Spongebob Squarepants’ Behold No Cavities!
Role playing with their favorite stuffed animal and a clean toothbrush can also help.
IV Sedation Can Help
If your child needs several procedures or has a medical situation or disability, can make the situation overwhelming. You may want to consider IV sedation.
IV sedation is a great option for a child to receive quality dental care without compromising their level of comfort or negative memories associated with the dentist.
It is vital for children have proper dental care for a healthy teeth and gums, it is equally important they don’t feel severe anxiety or fear while they are having a dental procedure.
Blue Sky Anesthesia Associates follows very strict FDA procedural protocols and guidelines to ensure the highest quality care. Each treatment is specifically tailored for each patient, which means they only receive the necessary amount of medication needed to ensure they are comfortable throughout the dental procedure.
If you feel your child could benefit from sedation dentistry, we encourage you to contact Blue Sky Anesthesia Associates and schedule an appointment. While we are based in New Hampshire, we go to your dentist office in New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts.
