Dental visits can often be a tedious and anxious event for both parents and their children. However, they can be particularly difficult to navigate when a child has difficulties such as sensory sensitivities or developmental differences.
In this article, we will explore some helpful tips and guidance for parents with children who require extra care during dental visits, ensuring that your child leaves the clinic with their beautiful little smiles shining bright.
What are developmental differences or sensory sensitivities?
Developmental differences can be observed in the emotional or cognitive domains, where the child may experience difficulty in social situations, understanding behavioral norms, and may have a developmental disability, such as autism or ADHD.
Sensory sensitivities or sensory processing issues are often first visible during the toddler years, when the child may exhibit an unusual aversion to certain situations that might not be uncomfortable for most people. According to some sources, sensory processing issues can cause children to react in unusual ways to different situations, such as:
- Loud noises
- Bright lights
- Uncomfortable clothing
The problem is that the dental clinic makes a LOT of loud noises from the various tools in use.
Bright lights will be necessary to shine towards your child’s face so the dentist can see and administer their treatment.
This makes it really hard for you as a parent to take your kid to the dentist, but you are not alone, and there are techniques you can use to help your kid.
How might your kid react?
Most of the tools in the dentist’s office can cause a lot of sensitivity in your kid. As a result, your child may react when going to the dentist or when being in the dental chair by:
- Screaming if their mouth or face gets wet
- Throwing tantrums when you try to get them dressed in the protective clothing
- Having an unusually high or low pain threshold
- Reacting in a way that you need to cancel the appointment
However your kid reacts, you still need to take them to the dentist.
What are some strategies for you when you have a child with sensory sensitivities and developmental differences?
How can you prepare for a dental visit?
Here we present you with some ideas that might help you in different cases:
Prepare in advance
One way to prepare your child for their visit to the dentist is by scheduling a tour in advance of their appointment. Some dental clinics will allow you and your child to visit the clinic a few days or weeks before the appointment to ensure that you both know what to expect. For example, the friendly front desk can welcome your child, show them around the clinic, and then send them home with a small treat. This can enable the child to establish a positive relationship with the venue, foster trust, and receive positive reinforcement.
Remember: It is essential to inform the staff about your child’s special needs so they can provide any necessary accommodations. The dentist can be on their level and remove any of the strangeness that may be expected from an unwelcome visit to the clinic. That way, your child feels more comfortable, and so do you as a parent.
Pro tip: You can also look for a dental professional who has direct experience with treating patients with autism or sensory needs. By doing a bit of extra homework, you may be able to find a pediatric dentist who is particularly attuned to your child’s special needs.
Practice makes perfect
Some parenting tools may help you prepare for a dental appointment. For example:
Storytelling
Storytelling can be a valuable tool in helping to alleviate a child’s nerves. By using direct and clear language and a step-by-step program, your kid will know what to expect on the day of the dental visit. Dental toys can also be used to create a better learning environment. For example, a parent can use a toy mouth and point to all the teeth inside to help their child learn about the process.
Individual coping mechanisms
It is also important that children can rely on their coping mechanisms when entering the dental clinic. For example:
- Your child may feel soothed by holding onto their favorite toy.
- You can also take their noise-canceling headphones to make sure they are not overwhelmed by all the strange noises.
- Your kid can watch their favorite movie on your phone or laptop.
Visual supports
Provide visual supports to help the child mentally prepare for what to expect during their visit. There are many resources online that a parent can use, such as YouTube videos and cute animations, so children can understand what will happen.
Making many short visits
If a child is particularly nervous, parents and dentists can help build up the dental visit in steps. First, they can count the number of teeth before allowing the child to go home, then proceed to some gentle cleaning, and so on. This way, the experience will not be entirely overwhelming.
Waiting in the car instead of the waiting room
If your kid has trouble with new places, it might be overwhelming for them to wait in a waiting room. You can ask the dental clinic if your child can stay in the car until the dentist is ready. If it isn’t possible, you can always get the first appointment of the day.
Pro tip: Role-play a visit to the dentist at home. This can be a fantastic opportunity to have fun with your child and allow for a moment of bonding. By creating your own in-home dental clinic, it will be easier for the child to adjust to the real-world clinic.
Positive reinforcement: Reward your kid for a job well done
It is important that children are rewarded for overcoming a stressful moment. You can do something your child enjoys after your appointment is finished. For example, you can go eat some of their favorite food or do one of their favorite activities. As a result, your child will develop a positive attitude towards their dental visits. After all, who doesn’t like some pampering after a job well done?
Prevention is key
To ensure that the visit is as pain-free as possible, regular upkeep of your child’s dental hygiene and health is key. Regular brushing and flossing will help prevent any rigorous treatments that may be too intense for your child to tolerate in the dental chair.
If your child is overly sensitive to their toothbrush or paste, you can look for softer dental bristles and non-flavored paste to make sure that they can maintain their necessary routine.
Look for some tips to prevent tooth decay so your kids can have healthy smiles.
Medication
If other methods prove to be ineffective, parents can seek anxiety-relieving medications or light sedation for their children. This can be administered prior to the dental visit to help them overcome their anxiety.
Some specialized centers also offer exams and dental treatment under general anesthesia when needed.
If you feel that you need some help and more options, your dental professional can help you and guide you for the sake of your child’s health.
The bottom line: You need the right dental professional
We hope that you can find the coping techniques that work for your child on their dental journey.
Ensure that you have an open and honest dialogue with your dental professional to ensure that you and your child receive the care they need. This way, you and your kid can both leave the clinic with beautiful and healthy smiles.
Find modern and updated dental clinics that are open to conversations about special needs in your area.
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