There are many things that may concern a child about visiting the dentist. Even if the child overall enjoyed their first visit to the dentist, other concerns may arise before the second appointment.
As a parent, these concerns may be difficult to understand since the first appointment went so well. However, it is very important to listen to the concerns of your child and to make sure that they are as comfortable as possible with the idea when you do make a second visit.
There are many ways that you can help your child overcome his or her fears so that he or she will behave well for the second visit. The first thing you will definitely want to do is listen to the reasons why your child has concerns.
If you are not familiar with why your child is concerned, then you will have a hard time consoling him or her. It may take a while for your son or daughter to find the words that will appropriately express why he or she is concerned.
This will require patience on your part and you may need to ask the question several times. When you know what is really scaring the child, it is will be much easier to address his or her concerns.
If you are at the office and the concerns rise again, you may want to let the child watch you. Sit down in the chair and have the hygienist give you a check up and a cleaning.
Or ask the dentist to count your teeth so that your son or daughter will see that there is nothing to be concerned about. Of course, you will need to be relaxed and unconcerned about it yourself.
Try to remain positive and encouraging throughout the whole ordeal. It can also be reassuring to promise that you will be in the room the entire time with them.
However, there are several rules that parents should keep in mind while they are staying in the room. The first thing that they should do is allow the dentist to perform the procedure without hindering him or her in anyway.
Try not to ask too many questions during the procedure. You can definitely ask your questions before and after it, but you do not want to become annoying or the dentist may not allow you to stay the next time an appointment is made.
The second thing that parents should make sure they do while they are in the room is speak in a calm, soft, reassuring voice. They should also be careful what kind of language they use so that they do not alarm the child.
For example, you should avoid using the terms “hurt” and “pain.” You can still relay the idea, with much less concern by using alternative words such as “discomfort,” “injection,” “shot,” or “pinch.”
It is also important for parents to recognize that the child will wiggle some. This is natural for them and the dentist should be used to working with it.
However, sometimes the wiggling can alarm the parent. This is particularly the case if the wiggling is accompanied by crying or looks of discomfort.
It is important for the parent to trust the dentist and to show that trust to the child. At points like this it can be tempting to interrupt the procedure, but it is important that it continues so it will be over sooner.
The dentist has trained for years and years. He or she knows what to do.
If you do not trust the dentist, then you will want to find a different one for next time. It is important that a strong level of trust is there.
If you are changing dentists, then you may want to look into finding one that deals specifically with children. Their expertise in working with children may be reassuring to you in the long run.
Another thing you can do to help your son or daughter make it through the visit alright is to have it in the morning. In the morning, your son or daughter will be well rested and will probably be more up to dealing with the stress of it all.
You can also do other things to help them be comfortable. For example, you can ask if it is alright if he or she sits on your lap in the chair.
The closeness can help reassure the child sometimes. However, if none of these things seem to work, you may simply want to let the child go back by himself or herself and encourage him or her to show how brave he or she is.
Ignacio Lopez has authored hundreds of articles relating to oral health and dentistry. He recommendsWisdom Teeth Utah for your wisdom teeth services. He has been a guest dental lecturer for over 15 years.
Contact Info:
Ignacio Lopez
IgnacioLopez09@gmail.com
http://uaoms.org/wisdom-tooth-removal
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