My 13 year old daughter frightened to have teeth fillings!

geek84

Hi Folks

My 13 year old daughter was told by the dentist that she needed to have some fillings done. However, as her appointment is approaching she says she is frightened to go through the procedure and the fact that it will 'hurt'.

How can I convince her that it will not be as bad as it sounds?

Does anybody know what is involved in this procedure?

Thank You.

PasturesNew

First they do an injection (2-3-4 pricks into the gum). Then you're set to the waiting room to wait. About 5-10 minutes later you're called back in.
Dentist pokes and asks "can you feel that?" if you can't then he will:

- use a drill to drill it out.
- poke some stuff inside the hole
- press the stuff down
- touch it up where he missed a bit
- scrape round the edge with something the size of a needle to make sure it's smooth
- ask you to "chomp" your teeth together, so he can then look again and make sure he got a good/clean/smooth edge and finish

Job done.

What I do is: speak to myself inside my head the whole time saying "He's not here to hurt you, he's making things better, he's a nice man who is helping you, it'll soon be over " ... and that gets me through all dental work.

You don't feel a thing pain-wise, it can be uncomfortable keeping your mouth open that long.

pmlindyloo

PasturesNew wrote: »

First they do an injection (2-3-4 pricks into the gum). Then you're set to the waiting room to wait. About 5-10 minutes later you're called back in.
Dentist pokes and asks "can you feel that?" if you can't then he will:

- use a drill to drill it out.
- poke some stuff inside the hole
- press the stuff down
- touch it up where he missed a bit
- scrape round the edge with something the size of a needle to make sure it's smooth
- ask you to "chomp" your teeth together, so he can then look again and make sure he got a good/clean/smooth edge and finish

Job done.

What I do is: speak to myself inside my head the whole time saying "He's not here to hurt you, he's making things better, he's a nice man who is helping you, it'll soon be over " ... and that gets me through all dental work.

You don't feel a thing pain-wise, it can be uncomfortable keeping your mouth open that long.

A good description

However, personally I feel it is better to be upfront about the pain.

The injections themselves may hurt a bit but it doesn't last long. Just reassure your daughter that millions of people have fillings done and are none the worse for it. If she doesn't have it done the tooth may rot and then it could be a lot worse!

Just be matter of fact.

Might be a good idea to tell the dentist she is very nervous.

BigAunty

Tell her there is a difference between pain and discomfort. The body often defines unusual sensations as pain when in fact, there is none, its just the body and mind tensing up when it encounters unfamiliar things.

Also, tell her that fillings aren't very uncomfortable compared to the extractions that must take place later if cavaties aren't dealt with...

geek84

Thanks for your advice, folks.

Flyonthewall

I've had fillings done without being numbed. It felt a bit odd/uncomfortable but that was all really.

I don't like the feeling of being numb, it just feels odd even afterwards and it can last a little while, which makes it harder to eat/drink. Still, you don't feel pain when they do it it is just uncomfortable/an odd feeling. You can just close your eyes, think about other things and just let them do what they need to. Worst part for pain is probably when they're making it numb, but it doesn't take long.

ftb2015

I had a filling on Thursday and I'm someone who at one time was very afraid to go to the dentist, however, it really isn't a big deal.

Procedure was, small injection (I don't look at needle!) that part was over in seconds, then the drilling took a few minutes, then blew air in to clean area, he then put this clamp around tooth which feels a bit odd, then filled it, bit down on card to check bite, bit filing and that was it done.

The worst part is definitely the anticipation, but the reality is fine, I would say the but I dislike the most is the drilling noises, and I would suggest maybe she wear an iPod or something for distraction?

I've had wisdom teeth out whilst awake and whilst not pleasant it certainly doesn't hurt, going back for root canal next week and will scare myself silly before hand and wonder what fuss is about afterwards!

I'm sure she'll be fine, good luck.

j.e.j.

Possibly she's just 'afraid of the unknown', if she's never had a filling done before.

It's not pleasant, but if it's done by a good dentist (ie one who waits for the anaesthetic/numbing to take effect before drilling!!) it's not too bad.

They basically inject the anaesthetic into the gum, wait a minute or two, and then drill the decay out and fill the hole, either with amalgam or white filling, depending on what you're prepared to pay for.

She can expect to feel a bit numb for a few hours afterwards until the injection wears off.

There are some dentists over on the health board, if you want to ask there. (Though be prepared for a lecture on her diet and sugar intake )

fivetide

j.e.j. wrote: »

There are some dentists over on the health board, if you want to ask there. (Though be prepared for a lecture on her diet and sugar intake )

Potentially but on the plus side OP you may well have a good reason to get her to pay attention to her teeth! She might not want to go through it again. 13 is very young to have issues.

Errata

Tell the dentist, in advance if possible, she's anxious about pain. A good dentist will numb the gum with a very quick acting spray before injecting a local anaesthetic. She won't feel a thing.

Lunar_Eclipse

I suspect she's just a little understandably anxious.

BUT there is absolutely no reason she will feel any pain. She can have a local anaesthetic and if you ask they will numb the gum first with some gel so she won't even feel that. There is then no 'pain', just a small amount of vibration perhaps.

My daughter had one without anaesthetic and it hasn't scarred her for life. She'll be fine.

I think the voice of reassurance here is needed.