How to Help Your Child Get Through A Dental Impression

dental impressionIf your child needs a retainer or other prosthetic or appliance, they will need to have a dental impression made. We all know that impressions are never pleasant and can be uncomfortable, especially for children. It is likely that your child won’t be a fan of the process either, so you are probably wondering how you can help them get through it!

Here are some tips to keep in mind to help children get through the process smoothly.

Breathe through the nose: It’s not easy having to keep your mouth open for a long period of time. But breathing through your nose will take the focus off your mouth and help the minutes go by quicker.

Drooling is okay: It may not feel okay to drool, but sometimes you should let it go. It can be hard to swallow your saliva when your mouth is wide open and it could trigger the gag reflex. Tell your child to let the drool flow. Let them know that it’s normal and happens to everyone.

Distraction, distraction, distraction: The minutes will go by faster if your child is distracted. Sit with your child and talk to them. Tell them a funny story to get their mind off what’s going on in their mouth. If you can’t sit with them, tell them to count or sing their favorite song in their head. That will keep them focused and make the time fly by.

Sitting up: If you child is having a hard time with the impression, have the doctor prop them up in their chair. If they are sitting upright, the material won’t drip back into their throat making them gag.

Reward: Tell your child that when they are done with their impression, you will take them out for their favorite treat. Have them brainstorm an idea of what they want and where they want to go while getting their impression. Not only is it a good distraction, but it will give them something to look forward to after.

Dental impressions may not be everyone’s favorite thing, but once they are done, your child won’t have to deal with it again for quite some time. Remind them that it’s a part of the process and they are once step closer to a pretty smile.