Advice needed for my daughter and dentists

ironed_out

My daughter (9) has been to the dentist this week to be told she needs 2 fillings. They are both on her chewing teeth and next to each other, so just one numbing and they'll be filled.
The problem is, she had a bad experience last time she went and is now getting herself worked up for the appointment on Tuesday.
My eldest, now 18, has always refused to have an injection as he has a fear of needles, so my daughter decided she didn't like them either and last time had a small filling without it being numbed and it took half an hour of drilling, waiting 5 mins to calm down, drilling etc etc.... you get the picture.
We've tried to explain that the needle will be 5 seconds of pain and then she won't feel a thing, but she cried herself to sleep tonight, and we've still got another 2 nights before she has it done.

Is there anything we can say or do to help her cope with this.
I'm afraid I can't cope with seeing her get so upset and will probably ask someone else to take her if needs be.

elfen

Er, if the dentist is anything like the one I had, they won't inject without numbing first. Can you have a word with the receptionist beforehand to see if they'll offer this. All you feel is the needle, and also the dentist explained what they were going to do beforehand so I was ready for it. (I'm 26, and I'm scared too)

caeler

Closing the eyes so you don't see the needle at all helps me!

ironed_out

Thanks Elfen. I've no idea if they offer this or not. I'll give them a ring on Monday to find out.
When we went in for the check-up I mouthed to the assistant that my daughter was nervous but she never told the dentist, and my daughter sat there with eyes wide open looking like a rabbit caught in the headlights! The dentist was lovely though (another new one) and DD is now brushing religiously and even not had any sweets since she went!

kazmeister

My daughter (now 10) had a really bad experience when she had to have a tooth out due to infection aged 4 (bad mummy gave her fresh orange juice daily as she loved it - I didnt realise about the acid in it decaying her teeth :eek:). I had to tell the dentist to stop at one point as she was hyperventilating so as you can imagine every trip for a while after was a nightmare.

We combat it now by letting her know at least a week in advance so that she gets used to the idea, even for a check up, I taught her controlled breathing for when she gets in ANY situation where she feels uncomfortable and I now ask the dentist to explain everything he is going to do. It has helped a lot and she asks him questions if she is worried about anything.

The big plus now is the way she has her fillings done. They put a gel stuff into the cavity and leave for a little while, this appears to 'dissolve' the decay and it is then gently scraped out. She has had several fillings like this (luckily still only in her baby teeth) and is coping quite well with her visits.

HTH

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Referral to hospital for filling under general anaesthetic. EMLA cream on hand, quick injection, go night nights, Mummy cries lots, ten minutes later, wakes up and asks for ice cream.

Job done.

Insisting on a referral is possible in these cases.

stormbreaker

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

Referral to hospital for filling under general anaesthetic. EMLA cream on hand, quick injection, go night nights, Mummy cries lots, ten minutes later, wakes up and asks for ice cream.

Job done.

Insisting on a referral is possible in these cases.

Not a road to go down! I would not get a general anaesthetic for any kind of surgery unless needed.

Depending on the depth of the decay she may not need to get an injection. The numbing elfen speaks of is a 'topical anaesthetic' which all dentists will have. You are obviously getting yourself worked up too and this will have an effect on your daughter. If possible get someone else who is not afraid to take your daughter.

Has your daughter been with you when you have been in the dentist chair? If she witnesses you getting work done this will improve her confidence.

System

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

Referral to hospital for filling under general anaesthetic. EMLA cream on hand, quick injection, go night nights, Mummy cries lots, ten minutes later, wakes up and asks for ice cream.

Job done.

Insisting on a referral is possible in these cases.

Don't suppose they do this for adult to? I seriously need a check up but think i will need knocking out if there's any hope of me getting in that chair

pulliptears

does she have an ipod? I find closing my eyes and listening to that relaxing

Apricot

definitely agree with Pulliptears regarding the Ipod (just check with dentist beforehand). Have you sat your daughter down and listened to exactly what she is afraid of? If it's the pain? If so explain if she doesn't have the procedure done it will become painful.
Also, I don't think that anything is wrong with a bit of good old fashioned bribery. Perhaps promise to rent her a film and get some popcorn for the evening after the procedure?

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

Don't suppose they do this for adult to? I seriously need a check up but think i will need knocking out if there's any hope of me getting in that chair

If you need work done, they do indeed - just need a bit more nagging than for a child!

SIL (who is a nightmare, but that's beside the point) is 40 and has spent the last year having every single tooth that hasn't already fallen out from booze, fags, sweets and not brushing, at a London hospital. She goes, gets knocked out, another 2 or 3 teeth get taken out, wakes up, goes home. Eventually, she'll have a set of replacements (not sure if they're doing all in a plate, or some implants and a bridge or partial plate) but the point is that she can't handle local anaesthesia, so they just send her up the hospital instead.

But you would need to get in the chair first - a chat with reception and maybe the dentist (some specialise in phobic patients) might get you able to do it, perhaps you would need a small prescription from the dentist or a GP to deal with the anxiety first?

They'd rather you got help and had necessary dental treatment than went without forever, after all...