As a parent, it’s natural to feel a little emotional when your child needs their first dental filling. From concern about their comfort to curiosity about the procedure, we understand that you want your little one to have the best experience possible.
At the Family Dental Clinic, we’re here to guide you through the process and help make it a smooth and stress-free experience for both you and your child.
Why Fillings Are Important
Fillings are a common and essential dental treatment used to repair cavities and prevent further tooth decay. By addressing cavities early, we can avoid more significant issues down the line, ensuring your child’s smile remains healthy and strong.
How to Prepare Your Child
Keep it Positive
Stay calm and upbeat about the dental filling visit. Your positive attitude will help your child feel more confident and less anxious.
Positive Language
Use simple words to explain what will happen. Avoid saying things like “pain” or “hurt.” Focus on how the dentist will make their tooth all better.
Bring a Comfort Item
If your child has a favourite toy or blanket, bring it along. Familiar items can be comforting for children, making a big difference during their appointment.
What to Expect During the Procedure
Here’s a step-by-step overview of what you and your child can expect during a dental filling appointment:
A Warm Welcome
When you arrive, you’ll both be greeted with big smiles and a warm welcome. We know the dentist’s office can be a bit intimidating, so we do our best to create a relaxing and inviting atmosphere, helping you and your child to feel at ease from the moment you walk in.
They can also enjoy our play area whilst they wait!
Kid-Friendly Procedure Explanation
Our dentist will take a few moments to explain what’s going to happen using simple words and kid-friendly terms. For more anxious children, we’ll also show your child some of the tools we’ll be using – understanding the process can help your child feel more relaxed and in control. Find out more about how we manage dental anxiety in patients of all ages.
We’re always happy to answer any questions you or your little one might have.
Numbing the Area
To make sure your child doesn’t feel any pain during their dental filling procedure, we’ll use a local anaesthetic to numb the area around the tooth. We’ll also apply a numbing gel to the gums to ease your child’s nerves and make the injection more comfortable.
We’ll do everything we can to ensure your child feels as little discomfort as possible.
Removing the Decay
Our dentists will gently remove the decayed part of the tooth using special tools. This part of the process is quick, and we’ll be chatting with your child or letting them watch their favourite show or play their game to keep them distracted.
Our goal is to create a stress-free experience for both you, and your child.
Cleaning and Filling
Once the decay is gone, we’ll clean the cavity thoroughly to make sure it’s ready for the filling. We use tooth-coloured materials that blend right in with your child’s natural teeth, making the filling practically invisible. Your child won’t even notice the difference!
Shaping and Polishing
Finally, we’ll shape and polish the filling so it fits perfectly, and your child can bite down comfortably without any rough edges. We’ll check their bite to make sure everything feels just right and that there’s no discomfort.
After the Filling
After the filling, your child’s mouth might feel a bit numb for a few hours – so keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t accidentally bite their cheek or tongue. Our dentist will give you some tips on aftercare, like avoiding hard or sticky foods for a bit and keeping up with good oral hygiene.
If your child feels any discomfort after the numbing wears off, a little children’s pain reliever should help, but be sure to follow our dentist’s advice.
We’re Here for You!
At our family dental practice, our professionals take pride in their gentle and caring dental care for kids. If you have any questions or worries about your child’s first filling, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
If you think your child needs a check-up or dental filling, click here or call 01243 771171 to schedule an appointment at our Chichester dental clinic.