Getting the news that your little one has a cavity (or several cavities) that need to be drilled out and filled is never easy, especially if it’s their first one. You may feel guilty, like you’ve done something wrong with your child’s dental care, and it’s certainly understandable to be scared on behalf of your child, knowing the procedure may make them uncomfortable and frightened. At Sprout Kid’s Dentistry, we understand the emotions that you may experience, which is why we take deliberate steps to ensure your child is comfortable and calm before, during, and after a filling appointment.

Lead the Way With Calmness

The key to your child’s first filling is being honest about what will happen during the procedure baring in mind that less is more. If your child lives in a two-parent household, it’s best to send the “calm one” to the appointment with your kid, to provide an example for your child to follow– if mom isn’t scared, they’re less likely to be, too.

Create a Painless Plan

Dr. Michelle Anderson, will create a treatment plan that you and your child will be comfortable with. This can include laughing gas, local numbing, and a compelling distraction, like a favorite TV show played through headphones. Once a plan is in place, you can tell your child what to expect—not in terms that describes scary-sounding dental tools—but in terms of what they’re experience will actually be; for example, your mouth will feel silly or sleepy, and you will have to hold your mouth open for awhile while they was away some bad germs. Because the treatment will be designed to eliminate discomfort, all you need to say is that they need to go see Dr. Anderson again because she needs to clean out your teeth really good.

Framing a dental visit that implies pain and punishment can serve to only make your child’s anxieties worse, not better. Feel free to limit the information you give about the specifics of their next visit so that the dentist and staff can ease any fears your child may have without having to undo myths or misunderstandings about the procedure that you may have outlined.

Preventing Cavities

No matter how diligent you and your child are at maintaining a good dental hygiene routine, there’s always the chance that they can develop cavities. This isn’t always a reflection on the parents or the kid, but simply the complexity of oral health. Factors that influence whether a person gets cavities or not include genetics, lack of fluoride, diet, the physical shape of teeth and their grooves, and just the general chemistry of a person’s mouth.

So when you’re told that your child needs a cavity filled, don’t panic. Sure, there may be opportunities to improve your child’s oral care, but it’s also not your fault and you shouldn’t beat yourself up about it. That’s why we’re here to offer treatments and advice on how to improve your children’s dental hygiene.

Kids’ Dentist in Boston, MA

If you’re looking for a calm and inviting environment for your kid’s dental visits, Sprout Kids Dentistry is ready to welcome you with open arms. Call us or contact us online to get started with your kid’s first appointment today.

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