The World Health Organization reports that cavities affect 60–90% of school-age children. Knowing that your child has cavities can be shocking for you as a parent, especially when your child is following a strict dental routine.
What to Expect as a Parent for your Child’s Tooth Filling?
Many children may feel scared to get a dental filling, giving parents second thoughts. However, it is to be noted that cavities are pretty common in children, and tooth filling is the best way to fix them. Here are some of the tips that can help you prepare your child tooth filling procedure:
1. Keep Your Child Comfortable
One of the best ways to have a proper Tooth Filling procedure is by staying calm and making your children feel comfortable. Kids usually pick up emotions from their parents, so if you are worried, it might also make them feel concerned about the procedure.
You must avoid using scary words like drill and dental problems, which might make them worried. When discussing cavities with your child, try to use words like sugar sports which makes them feel straightforward about the issue and helps with their anxiety.
2. Consult with your Dentist Beforehand
You should meet your dentist before starting the tooth filling procedure to get more info about the sedative and fillings meant for your child. You can also learn more about the aftercare procedure, so it gets easier for you and your child to take care of the teeth once the process is completed.
Dentists usually go for composite tooth fillings since they are best for kids and have a natural look, making it easier for them to blend with the rest of the teeth.
3. What Type of Medication Will Be Used for Fillings?
For most children, dentists usually recommend using medicines that help numb the pain and make the child feel comfortable during the treatment. Some children may also require oral sedation using gas and an oxygen mask. Most dentists ensure that your children feel comfortable and relaxed before their treatment starts.
4. What Type of Filling Will My Child Get?
As mentioned earlier, the dentist usually prefers composite resin tooth fillings that match the color of your child’s teeth. This makes them less noticeable compared to dentists’ metal materials earlier.
5. What Happens When a Child Gets a Filling?
When your child gets a tooth filling, the dentist starts the process by using a local anesthetic so the process gets easy for the child and he doesn’t feel any pain. The dentist later uses a small drill to remove the tooth decay. After removing all the decay, a composite filling is used for the small hole, and the process gets completed. It takes one day to get the tooth filling done in most cases.
6. Aftercare for Your Child
Even though tooth fillings are considered a painless procedure, some children might experience mild pain in the first days of their treatment. You can give your child painkillers such as Ibuprofen to stop the pain from healing. PropeAfter getting tooth fillings, proper care is also essential after ensuring your child brushes his teeth at least twice a day. However, if the pain persists, this expert dentist in Downey highly recommends bringing your child to the dentist immediately so they can determine what might be causing the pain.