So, you have found out that your child has a cavity and needs their first filling. The first thing to remember is –do not be upset about it and try to stay calm! While we want to avoid cavities, it is important to know that they are common. Keep reading to learn our best advice to help you and your child feel prepared and comfortable.

Big Feelings

We do our very best to make every child feel comfortable and at ease when they are in our office, but we also know that many kids may fear the unknown. When your child is dealing with a cavity – especially their first – there may be some big feelings involved. Our pediatric dentists feel that the best way to prepare your child is to be honest about what will happen.

Keeping it Real

Walk your child through the procedure in a simple to understand way. You can tell them that they have a sick tooth that needs some help. Talk about the noises they may hear and how their mouth will feel funny when it is numb. If you choose to use laughing gas, talk about how they may feel sleepy or silly. Emphasize the positive. Reassure them that their dentist is going to be able to fix the sick tooth to make it healthy again. Do not use this as an opportunity to place blame or point out poor oral hygiene habits.

Keep it Light

While it is important to be honest, try to avoid using words your child might find scary. “Needle,” “pain,” “hurt” … that kind of thing. If your child specifically asks about any of these words, be honest but positive. Afterall, our goal is to avoid pain and make them as comfortable as possible during treatment. If your child asks about needles, focus on the fact that the one we use is VERY small. If they ask about pain, tell them that they may feel funny or uncomfortable, but that we will do everything we can to make sure it does not hurt.

Share Your Experiences

Do you have fillings? It may make your child feel better to understand that fillings are very common and something that most people have gotten at some point in their life. Talk to your child about getting your own cavity filled and how easy it was. Focus on how getting a filling only takes a little bit of time, but helps to make sure their teeth will stay healthy for a long time.

The Day Of

Give your child as much control that day as is reasonable. Let them choose their own outfit and what they have for breakfast or lunch. If your child is more comfortable at their appointment wearing headphones and listening to their own music, bring it along! Maybe plan something fun to do after the appointment so your child has something to look forward to during their treatment. Most importantly, remain calm. If your child is nervous or scared, remind them that they are safe, and this will be over soon.

Getting Through it Together

Our entire team is here to make sure your children have the healthiest teeth and mouths possible. We pride ourselves in providing quality care in a relaxing and comfortable environment – just check out some of our testimonials.

We deal with fillings every day, but we know that you don’t. Please do not hesitate to ask questions and encourage your children to ask their own as well! Getting a filling does not have to be scary. We will do everything possible to make sure of that! Contact us today for an appointment or with any questions.