Helping your child deal with tooth extraction
Children can need to get their teeth extracted for a number of reasons, including accidental damage, decay, overcrowding or a failure of the baby teeth to fall out when the adult teeth erupt. The extraction process can be very stressful for some children. Here are some ways to help your child deal with tooth extraction.
Have the dental staff explain procedure
Removing a part of the child's body can seem very stressful for a child. It can be useful for the dental staff to explain the reasons that the extraction needs to occur and to explain all of the steps in the process. It can be useful for the child to understand that they may be in less pain and discomfort following the surgery, particularly if they have been suffering from painful decay or infection to date. This can also be useful as the child can ask any questions that they may have.
Stay as calm as possible
Children are highly affected by the moods of their carers, so if you are feeling worried or tense about the upcoming procedure, this is likely to make them more nervous. It's important for you to also speak to the dentist and be confident that this is the best option for your child. In most cases, teeth extraction is now seen as the last option, as many dentists prefer to opt for root canals in baby teeth where possible. It is also necessary that you are confident in understanding the after care that you need to provide for your children.
Research medication and anaesthetic options
If your child has some issues that make them particularly anxious such as having chronic anxiety or sensory issues may struggle with tooth extraction no matter what preparation as been taken. In this case, it can be good to discuss options such as sedation or anaesthesia with your dentist. There is a range of relatively mild options which can be used with children. Having your child relaxed can help the procedure to go more smoothly and quickly, which can be less stressful for the child and parent (as well as the dental staff!).
If your child needs a tooth extraction, it is important that you and your child are as confident as possible in the reasons and process behind the procedure. If your child continues to be extremely distressed about the experience it can be worth looking into sedation or anaesthesia options.
For more information, contact a professional dentist office, such as Precision Dental Care @ Kingston.
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