Babies and young children love to sit on the lap of someone that they love. It is understandable that young children see your lap as a place of safety, security, and contentment. If your toddler is apprehensive about visiting the dentist, you may want to check and see if the dentist practices the lap-to-lap technique with their youngest patients.
What Is the Lap-To-Lap Technique?
Our dentist realizes that asking a toddler to climb up onto a large dental chair and sit still for a dental exam can be an impossible ask. Toddlers are notoriously skittish because there is a lot they do not understand about the world yet, and they may react with anger or tears (or both) if they are scared. Also, toddlers are old enough to understand that they have a mind of their own, but they are not old enough to reason with yet - which makes explaining anything very difficult.
One way to help toddlers and very young children adapt to a dental exam is to try the lap-to-lap technique. In this technique, your child will not sit in the dental chair. Instead, they will lie across your lap. Their head will be toward the dentist so that they can examine their teeth. The lap-to-lap technique accomplishes a couple of things for your child. First, this adult is someone their parents trust, and the dentist is going to give them a checkup to check their teeth and help keep them healthy.
Does the Technique Work?
Researchers at the American Dental Association have found that while the lap-to-lap technique will not work for every toddler, it is helpful for the first couple of visits your toddler has to ease their anxiety. Since you are trying to make the first few dental visits as simple and stress-free as possible, the lap-to-lap technique may be a good place to start.
Dentist Eagle Mountain UT | Contact Ranches Family Dental The dental office of Dr. Richard Baldwin in Eagle Mountain consists of a team of professionals dedicated to providing you with the dentistry care you deserve. Ranches Family Dental, 3435 E. Pony Express Parkway Suite 110 Eagle Mountain, UT 84005 - (385) 374-0500 - ranchesfamilydental.com - 12/7/2024 - Related Phrases: dentist Eagle Mountain UT -
Babies and young children love to sit on the lap of someone that they love. It is understandable that young children see your lap as a place of safety, security, and contentment. If your toddler is apprehensive about visiting the dentist, you may want to check and see if the dentist practices the lap-to-lap technique with their youngest patients.