Advice needed for my daughter and dentists

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

stormbreaker wrote: »

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

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I would argue that being unable to accept local anaesthesia whilst needing dental treatment is probably making this necessary. After all, the PCT funds it for a good reason, not just for the fun of it.

FROSTYFRECKLE

I used to be terrified of Dentists as a child. I was banned by one Dentist after he butchered my mouth and I sank my teeth into his hand and wouldn't let go. So what began as a fear of needles developed into a fear of dentists. I still went to the Dentist but what a palava. My current fabulous dentist explained it's not the needle that causes the pain, it's the anaesthesia (sp?) - it's cold and hits nerves and:eek::eek::eek: He warms the ampules (or whatever they are called) of anaesthesia in a baby bottle warmer for his child patients and er me:D It does not hurt. I shut my eyes, can't see the needle and certainly don't feel anything. Can you ask your Dentist for a similar service.

taurusgb

I have been terrified of the dentist most of my life after a couple of nasty experiences as a child. My current dentist however, is fabulous and offers gas and air (similar to that used when having a baby). A small mask is placed over the nose, and you just have to breathe normally (through the nose). Within minutes I feel so relaxed and floaty, I am happy for her to then numb the gum with gell, then when that has taken effect she gives me the injection which I dont feel at all.

I know she offers this service to young patients as her speciality is children's dental care - and in fact adults only have thhis if very nervous. May be worth asking if the surgery offer this.

Good luck - I really feel for you and your daughter!

patchwork_cat

FROSTYFRECKLE wrote: »

I used to be terrified of Dentists as a child. I was banned by one Dentist after he butchered my mouth and I sank my teeth into his hand and wouldn't let go. So what began as a fear of needles developed into a fear of dentists. I still went to the Dentist but what a palava. My current fabulous dentist explained it's not the needle that causes the pain, it's the anaesthesia (sp?) - it's cold and hits nerves and:eek::eek::eek: He warms the ampules (or whatever they are called) of anaesthesia in a baby bottle warmer for his child patients and er me:D It does not hurt. I shut my eyes, can't see the needle and certainly don't feel anything. Can you ask your Dentist for a similar service.

Why don't all dentists do this for all patients? No one wants pain, so why only for children?!!

Maxjessdru

I would suggest you find a dentist who specialises in treatment of nervious/phobic patients and who can offer some form of sedation. I am a phobic patient after a number of bad experiences (including having two teeth removed on injections that the dentist kept breaking and couldn't pull out - ended up hysterical after that one!). I now go to a local NHS dentist who offers various forms of treatment, from conscious sedation (mild drugs) up to and including being knocked-out if necessary. I actually had this done last Friday in my dentists for four fillings - nothing to eat/drink for six hours, injection in the back of the hand, wake up and its all done. I couldn't cope with having that amount of work done otherwise.

I think its really important that you get this sorted out now - the problem will only get worse over the years. I was more or less OK as a child but, as I said previously, the fear of going got worse over the years and now I can only have work done if put under (and it still took me four months from knowing I needed work doing to actually going!)

Good luck

pinkshoes

Tell her that unless she gets the work done, then she could end up with a smile like this:

ironed_out

Thanks for all your replies and suggestions.

Pinkshoes...........omg if that's not enough to scare her, i don't know what is, but I think i'll leave that for another time if needed. :eek:

We seem to have made a bit of progress so far. D day is tomorrow, and I phoned the dentist today about the cream for the gums, and was told by the receptionist that it doesn't really work, but if it makes her feel better about it then they'll give it to her. It already has on her notes she is a nervous patient.

I'm afraid I resorted, rightly or wrongly, to a bit of bribery, so if she doesn't make a fuss she gets the rest of the morning off and can stay at Nanny's til lunchtime before she goes back to school. (will give her mouth a chance to come round, so no dribbling in the classroom!)

She's also going to take my MP3 player (as long as she doesn't start trying to belt out a bit of Meatloaf while the dentist is doing the work lol) and is going to keep her eyes closed while the needle goes in.

I'll let you know how it goes. Keep everything crossed for us

annie12

ironed_out wrote: »

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.

Can you speak to your G.P, when I was 10 having 4 teeth out they prescribed mild sedatives

ironed_out

All over and done with!
She went in, had the cream on her gum, closed her eyes when the needle went in (said she didn't feel it) and sat and let Eva (the dentist) talk through everything she was doing, with her mp3 player in the other ear. She was brilliant and I'm very pleased with her.

sp1987

ironed_out wrote: »

All over and done with!
She went in, had the cream on her gum, closed her eyes when the needle went in (said she didn't feel it) and sat and let Eva (the dentist) talk through everything she was doing, with her mp3 player in the other ear. She was brilliant and I'm very pleased with her.

Bless her heart!

The good thing is, now she has had a positive experience and lots of praise, it may stop her getting needle phobic in future or at least prevent dentist issues...which will save her a lot of worry avoiding it in future I'm sure.

I am terrified of needles but had a very understanding dentist for a filling who played along with my ''make sure I do not see it and do not tell me anything about it'' idea of getting it done.