Many kids will, at one point or another, face a tooth extraction. The dentist may be pulling a tooth for a number of different reasons. However, the most common reason for tooth extraction is to make way for permanent teeth that are having a hard time emerging on their own due to limited space. For many kids, the dentist is already a scary place. Having a tooth extraction may leave your child feeling more nervous than they normally would. Smile Reef would like to share some tips to help make your child more comfortable during their tooth extraction appointment.
Follow This Guide to Help Your Child with Their Tooth Extraction
There are several things that you can do as a parent to help you child feel more comfortable when they come in for a tooth extraction.
– Talk About It: The worst thing you can do is surprise your child with a tooth extraction. If they are facing this type of appointment, it can be hugely beneficial to talk about it with them. You can walk them through the steps so that they can prepare themselves mentally for the visit. Reassure them that it will be fine and use age-appropriate language to explain things.
– Familiarize the Dentist Office: It can be incredibly helpful for children to be familiar with their dentist’s office prior to getting a tooth extracted. If they haven’t ever been there, it may be worth a trip before the appointment to meet the dentist and their team.
– Bring a Comfort Item: If your child has an item at home that they like to use to comfort themselves, it is okay for them to bring that object with them to their appointment. This can go a long way in helping a child feel calmer.
– Practice Breathing: If your child has never had to practice deep breathing, it is helpful to practice this with them before their appointment. Nothing helps to calm the nervous system like taking deep and full breaths. Many children haven’t had to do any deep breathing before.
– Praise & Rewards: When a child is getting a tooth extracted, it is always good to give them plenty of praise. It takes a lot of bravery and cooperation to get this appointment done. You can also consider rewards like a sheet of stickers, small toy or a special outing can help them feel accomplishment in the process as well.
Pediatric Dentistry
When you have a child that needs a tooth extracted, you can turn to Smile Reef to help you get it done. We work with kids all day every day and can help your child feel calm and brave throughout the appointment. We will make sure the tooth extraction is done properly and after care instructions are clear so that the experience is positive. It is our goal to help your child reach optimal oral health. Call us today!