Prepare Your Child For A Tooth Extraction
Posted on: 4 October 2018
Going to the dentist is an important experience. However, for children, the experience is not always filled with joy. When a child has to visit the dentist for a tooth extraction, they might be filled with questions, which can quickly lead to fear. As a parent, there are measures you can take to protect your child and prepare your child for the process; here are some of them.
Talk About the Process
Children can process a lot more information than adults sometimes give them credit. Make sure you are forthcoming with your child about the experience, don't try to hide it. When you aren't honest, the child will get to the office and sit in the chair and quickly become alarmed by what's happening.
When the child already knows, they also know what to expect. Ask the provider to sit down and talk with your child a few days before the extraction so that they can ask any questions.
Learn About Sedation Options
Tooth extraction can be an uncomfortable experience at times. For this reason, sedation is a good idea for young children. Many offices use a variety of different options for these procedures, including nitrous oxide and general anesthesia. To determine which option is best for your child, you should first find out the specifics of the extraction and your child's temperament.
For instance, if the dentist says the process will be simple, nitrous oxide might work. However, if the child has already been experiencing a great deal of discomfort from the tooth and the extraction is complex, general anesthesia may be a better route.
Prepare at Home
It's essential you prepare at home to ensure your child has the most uneventful experience. As part of the preparation, you should head to the grocery store to ensure you have plenty of soft food options for your child to enjoy. You should also ensure your child does not drink from a straw.
Drinking from a straw can actually disturb the incision and cause the child's bleeding to increase. However, some level of bleeding is normal. You should also ensure you have plenty of gauzes to keep the incision area clean until the bleeding stops. The dentist will provide you with specific aftercare instructions, so ensure you listen.
When you take steps to prepare for the extraction, you can have more confidence that your child won't experience any discomfort. Speak with the provider to learn more ways to prepare your child. You can also check out a website like http://www.accentdentalnwi.com/ today to learn more.
Share