Listen to Your Dentist When They Recommend Wisdom Teeth Extraction

If your child with sensory processing disorder will soon be taking a trip to the orthodontist, you may be wondering how you can make the experience as painless and stress free as possible. Below are three, easy to do tips that can make your child's orthodontist appointment go smoothly.

1. Speak With the Office Beforehand

Orthodontists treat kids on a regular basis, so it's likely that many will have experience with special needs. To see what accommodations may be available for your child, it's a good idea to speak with the office staff prior to your child's visit.

For example, if your child gets easily overwhelmed, the office staff may allow you and your child to enter the office through a back door and wait for the appointment in a quiet examination room. This can help to keep your child calm and will give him the chance to take in the surroundings before any orthodontic work begins. Your office may also allow your child to visit the orthodontist prior to his appointment during a slow, quiet part of the day. This can help to give your child a feeling of control and lessen his anxiety. If you're concerned about how your child may react during the orthodontic work itself, speak with the orthodontist about splitting up the work. For example, if your child requires the use of a palate expander, ask if it's possible to break up the appointments a bit more than usually recommended so your child has more time to become used to the foreign device. If the expander will still work effectively, even if it takes a bit longer than usual, it may be worth it for your child's comfort. 

2. Use Other Senses As a Distraction

A great way to distract your child during a stressful orthodontic appointment is to use their other senses to your advantage.

If your child has a weighted blanket or textured toy, bring that along to the appointment. The weighted blanket can help your child feel grounded, and the textured toy can provide a much needed sense of familiarity and distraction. If your child is sensitive to lights or sounds, bring along a sleep mask or sunglasses and allow your child to listen to his favorite music or white noise with headphones during the appointment. Since orthodontic work usually requires the placement of foreign objects in the mouth, such as expanders, spacers, and brace brackets, perhaps try helping your child to focus on a different part of their body during the procedure. For example, bring along a bristled brush or other stimulating object that your child enjoys and use it on their leg or arm during the appointment. 

3. Minimize the Possibility of Overload with Pre-Appointment Preparation

It's important that you get your child into the best state of mind possible prior to their appointment so things can go as smoothly as possible.

For some children, it may be important for them to be well-rested in order for them to handle the stress of the appointment. For other children, however, getting your child exhausted through hard physical exercise prior to the appointment may be your best bet at calming them down and keeping them from overloading during the orthodontist visit. You know your child best and his needs best.

To learn more about the accommodations available to your child, consult with clinic like Arrowhead Family Dentistry.