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Making Dental Visits Easy for Your Child
During each visit, dentists should spend a great deal of time explaining to your child what can be expected. This is done in a very positive way to help the child feel comfortable, and to give him or her some control over what will be happening. You can help us make this next visit a successful and positive experience by working with your child’s dentist to accomplish this goal.
Local Anesthesia
Most dental work done to repair decayed teeth is accomplished using local anesthetic or "Novocain." Pediatric dentists are well trained to administer the injection painlessly. Without discomfort, most children will participate in the treatment very well, watching the procedures and having a positive experience. All dental procedures will be thoroughly explained to your child by the dentist and assistant at the appropriate time in terms that the child can understand.
Helping Us Help Your Child
All visits are well orchestrated to produce a positive outcome. The following suggestions will help you when you discuss their restorative visit:
- Use only positive words when answering questions (e.g., soft, easy, fun, play, tickly toothpaste, clean cookie from tooth, tooth wiggled out, etc.).
- Avoid negative words (e.g., pain, hurt, needle, shot, tooth pulled, etc.).
With the proper environment and verbal skills it is amazing how well children respond.
After treatment is completed you can help continue the positive experience by praising your child and referring to the "fun" time they had. Please avoid negative comments such as:
- Did it hurt?
- That wasn’t so bad!
- You were so brave!
- Did you get a shot?
- Were you afraid?
These comments could persuade your child in thinking there was a reason to be afraid, even though they were cooperative and had a good time. It may make their future visits more difficult.
Post Treatment
During your child's dental treatment, he or she should be kept very busy and involved. That way they will not notice the numbing sensation from the local anesthetic (Novocain), which is given to make treatment more comfortable. When treatment is completed, your child will notice the numbness. This feeling will remain for 1½ to 2 hours. Most children are not concerned by this "tickly" sensation. Others interpret this feeling as annoying.
Your child's tooth, lip, cheek and sometimes their tongue are "asleep and tickly." As soon as the tickly feeling wears off, your child may eat. If there is any post-treatment discomfort, you may give them a normal dose of Advil® or Tylenol®. Please follow the recommended dosage and directions on the label.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call your dentist’s office. Thank you for helping to make all your child's dental experiences positive and fun.
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