Nothing can be more upsetting to a parent when their young child is in pain. You may feel helpless watching your child crying in anguish over a toothache. Even a baby tooth can suffer from cavities and can lead to infection and even more pain. Your best plan? Seek a family dentist immediately so they can treat the issue.
Here’s how to prepare your child for a dental filling:
- Speak to your child
Remember, your child is not an adult. They will not understand what you do about the necessity of having a filling to end the pain and the infection of the bacteria. We advise that it’s best to speak to your child in a calming way, never mentioning needles or the infamous “chair”. Always assure them that you will be right there with them and that the pain they are feeling will go away by the caring dentist.
- Speak to your family dentist
It is equally important to speak to your dentist to find out what the best method is to perform the filling. Most dentists conduct a dental filling under general anaesthetic, which will help prevent your child from feeling anything during the procedure. If you or your child would prefer not to go under, then a topical anaesthetic can be provided to keep your child from feeling anxious or in pain.
- Aftercare
Once the procedure is over, it is necessary to feed your child soft foods so not to affect the fresh filling. You should also keep your child from playing any sports or anything that involves active exercise. For at least two days until the filling has settled, it is highly recommended that your child remains in gentle care. If bleeding occurs or unusual pain is experienced, it could be caused by an infection. It is best to consult with your dentist to find out if you should bring in your child again – or the dentist may prescribe a numbing lotion or a special mouthwash.
Prevention is always better than cure, which means you should try to help your child from forming bad habits such as eating hard lollies and improper oral health care.
For more information or if you want to speak to a professional family dentist in Caulfield, request an appointment today.