How to decide? Could you share your experiences with "bad" cavities in children? - Page 2

[eclipse]

Originally Posted by CherryBomb

They gave her the apple juice drink before they gassed her, but unfortunately it didn't really help :/ It made her drowsy and unable to get combative, but she still screamed and screamed. The nurse said her reaction was pretty typical, though.

I remember the dentist told me that it affects different kids differently. Ideally, it works like it did with my son. Other kids actually get hyper, and others get angry and screamy - sounds like that's what happened with yours . I told them I would cancel if that happened with my son.

[earthmama369]

DD's had multiple sessions of dental work, thanks to a genetic enamel defect and a really poor initial choice in dentist. DS has had one session, for minor cavities. We're reeeeeally picky about dentists. I won't use a dentist who practices restraint or restricts parents from being with their children in the examination room. I also require a dentist who offers the option of not using mercury fillings. And over the course of a number of conversations and visits with various dentists, I've come to the conclusion that a good pediatric dentist is worth his/her weight in gold. For a child who needs actual dental work or has any anxiety about going to the dentist, it's really worth going to someone who's actually trained and experienced specifically in working with children and who has an office that's child-friendly.

DD's had minor cavities filled in the office with no anesthesia or sedation (at age 2) and she did just fine. She's also had novocaine and drilling (age 4), in the office, no restraints. And she's had 4 hours of dental surgery under full anesthesia at the hospital when she was four. She did fine with all of them (though the hour we spent with her coming out of anesthesia was, quite frankly, brutal). She has no lingering anxiety about dental work and loves visiting her dentist. She's quite proud of her "pirate teeth" and where she lost teeth during surgery. (She had four teeth pulled, six root canals, 7 fillings, and 8 crowns put in during the surgery. It was an insane amount of dental work to have to have done at once, but there were extenuating circumstances. See comment about poor choice in initial dentist.) We prepared her well ahead of time for every procedure, which works best for her personality. Without going into too much detail, we explained what was going to be done and generally how it would feel and how long it would take. We reassured her that we would be there the whole time and gave her control over every choice she could reasonably have control over. She's not a very anxious child, so we were pretty matter of fact about everything being done.

DS has sensory processing disorder and some anxiety. We really, really hoped he wouldn't get any cavities. He had three minor ones at his last visit (age 3). Ironically enough, they were probably caused by the vibrating toothbrush we got to help with his SPD. The head's a little too big for his mouth so we missed some spots on his back molars without realizing it. The dentist recommended against using gas, because kids with SPD tend to react unpredictably to it and either really, really like it or really, really feel out of control and freaked out while on it. Intuition told us he'd fall in the latter category. We worked with our occupational therapist and dentist to come up with a plan and prepared to go back multiple times to get the cavities filled. Since they're baby teeth, we decided temporary fillings would be fine. They generally last 2-3 years, by which point those teeth will be coming out anyway. And they don't require the use of novocaine or drilling. We got some story books from the library about kids getting dental work and read those the week before his appointment. We talked a little bit about him getting his teeth fixed, but really didn't go into a lot of detail. And we got a small whiteboard and wrote out the five steps the dentist would take to fix each tooth. It was something like:

1. Clean tooth with spinning brush.
2. Dry tooth with air wand.
3. Clean out cavity with scraper.
4. Paint tooth.
5. Dry tooth with blue light.

The hygienist and dentist walked him through each step, letting him feel the spinning brush, scraper, and air wand on his hand and letting him turn the blue light on and off before they started doing any work. He held a marker and crossed off each step as they did it, and they let him push the buttons for both the air wand and the blue light. And he got a prize at the end. We were amazed. He let them fill all three teeth in one appointment. It went better than any of us had hoped. They were very patient and totally prepared to break off the appointment and reschedule at any point except in the middle of putting the paint on the tooth and drying it, because, well, you kind of need to finish that once you start it. But that only takes a minute or two anyway.

It's totally worth looking for a pediatric dentist who really likes kids and really gets kids. Ours has the philosophy that he'd rather end an appointment early if a kid's getting upset, and have them come back without trauma, than force the issue and traumatize them so that they never want to get dental work done again.

[lmk1]

My ds has had caries since he was about a year old on his 2 upper teeth. We've visited approximately 9 dentists, because I didn't feel comfortable with a lot of the options (papoose board, general anesthesia, etc). In my experience, the pediatric dentists were better equipped to work with children than the general ones, and they all were different in their approach. I would try to visit some more and see if another one fits your needs better. We did go to the dentist in the Boston Children's Hospital, and the resident there said he was from Halifax and (we were planning to drive through Nova Scotia) said that the children's hospital in Halifax was probably very similar in what they do. At the Boston Children's, they allowed the parent to be there (except for general anesthesia) and they said ds could be on my lap during the entire procedure.

We did a wait and see with ds until he was 2.5 and we found a dentist we liked and trusted and ds handled it beautifully, except he did cry during the novacaine injection and his mouth going numb. But I imagine that wouldn't be a problem for your dd, since you can explain to her ahead of time what is happening. My ds deals much better with things when he knows what is going to happen, and I imagine most people (not just kids) do. You just state what will happen without emotions. Say "you get a shot", but don't say whether it will be painful or not. And don't dwell on it.
Anyhow, apart from the shot, ds had no problem with any of the cavity repair. He sat on my lap and watched a movie the whole time, and the drill didn't phase him at all, but we use an electric toothbrush at home, so the noise isn't that different. He was extremely cooperative with this dentist...and he was very different with different dentists, so it was as much the dentist's kid skills as my son's readiness.

I really recommend going to a few more pediatric dentists for evaluations.

[midnightwriter]

Originally Posted by earthmama369

DD's had multiple sessions of dental work, thanks to a genetic enamel defect and a really poor initial choice in dentist. DS has had one session, for minor cavities. We're reeeeeally picky about dentists. I won't use a dentist who practices restraint or restricts parents from being with their children in the examination room. I also require a dentist who offers the option of not using mercury fillings. And over the course of a number of conversations and visits with various dentists, I've come to the conclusion that a good pediatric dentist is worth his/her weight in gold. For a child who needs actual dental work or has any anxiety about going to the dentist, it's really worth going to someone who's actually trained and experienced specifically in working with children and who has an office that's child-friendly.

DD's had minor cavities filled in the office with no anesthesia or sedation (at age 2) and she did just fine. She's also had novocaine and drilling (age 4), in the office, no restraints. And she's had 4 hours of dental surgery under full anesthesia at the hospital when she was four. She did fine with all of them (though the hour we spent with her coming out of anesthesia was, quite frankly, brutal). She has no lingering anxiety about dental work and loves visiting her dentist. She's quite proud of her "pirate teeth" and where she lost teeth during surgery. (She had four teeth pulled, six root canals, 7 fillings, and 8 crowns put in during the surgery. It was an insane amount of dental work to have to have done at once, but there were extenuating circumstances. See comment about poor choice in initial dentist.) We prepared her well ahead of time for every procedure, which works best for her personality. Without going into too much detail, we explained what was going to be done and generally how it would feel and how long it would take. We reassured her that we would be there the whole time and gave her control over every choice she could reasonably have control over. She's not a very anxious child, so we were pretty matter of fact about everything being done.

DS has sensory processing disorder and some anxiety. We really, really hoped he wouldn't get any cavities. He had three minor ones at his last visit (age 3). Ironically enough, they were probably caused by the vibrating toothbrush we got to help with his SPD. The head's a little too big for his mouth so we missed some spots on his back molars without realizing it. The dentist recommended against using gas, because kids with SPD tend to react unpredictably to it and either really, really like it or really, really feel out of control and freaked out while on it. Intuition told us he'd fall in the latter category. We worked with our occupational therapist and dentist to come up with a plan and prepared to go back multiple times to get the cavities filled. Since they're baby teeth, we decided temporary fillings would be fine. They generally last 2-3 years, by which point those teeth will be coming out anyway. And they don't require the use of novocaine or drilling. We got some story books from the library about kids getting dental work and read those the week before his appointment. We talked a little bit about him getting his teeth fixed, but really didn't go into a lot of detail. And we got a small whiteboard and wrote out the five steps the dentist would take to fix each tooth. It was something like:

1. Clean tooth with spinning brush.
2. Dry tooth with air wand.
3. Clean out cavity with scraper.
4. Paint tooth.
5. Dry tooth with blue light.

The hygienist and dentist walked him through each step, letting him feel the spinning brush, scraper, and air wand on his hand and letting him turn the blue light on and off before they started doing any work. He held a marker and crossed off each step as they did it, and they let him push the buttons for both the air wand and the blue light. And he got a prize at the end. We were amazed. He let them fill all three teeth in one appointment. It went better than any of us had hoped. They were very patient and totally prepared to break off the appointment and reschedule at any point except in the middle of putting the paint on the tooth and drying it, because, well, you kind of need to finish that once you start it. But that only takes a minute or two anyway.

It's totally worth looking for a pediatric dentist who really likes kids and really gets kids. Ours has the philosophy that he'd rather end an appointment early if a kid's getting upset, and have them come back without trauma, than force the issue and traumatize them so that they never want to get dental work done again.

Thank you for such a detail reply!

Re Bolded part: the pedi dentist here actually says that the procedures have to be finished no matter what.

[midnightwriter]

Originally Posted by lmk1

My ds has had caries since he was about a year old on his 2 upper teeth. We've visited approximately 9 dentists, because I didn't feel comfortable with a lot of the options (papoose board, general anesthesia, etc). In my experience, the pediatric dentists were better equipped to work with children than the general ones, and they all were different in their approach. I would try to visit some more and see if another one fits your needs better. We did go to the dentist in the Boston Children's Hospital, and the resident there said he was from Halifax and (we were planning to drive through Nova Scotia) said that the children's hospital in Halifax was probably very similar in what they do. At the Boston Children's, they allowed the parent to be there (except for general anesthesia) and they said ds could be on my lap during the entire procedure.

We did a wait and see with ds until he was 2.5 and we found a dentist we liked and trusted and ds handled it beautifully, except he did cry during the novacaine injection and his mouth going numb. But I imagine that wouldn't be a problem for your dd, since you can explain to her ahead of time what is happening. My ds deals much better with things when he knows what is going to happen, and I imagine most people (not just kids) do. You just state what will happen without emotions. Say "you get a shot", but don't say whether it will be painful or not. And don't dwell on it.
Anyhow, apart from the shot, ds had no problem with any of the cavity repair. He sat on my lap and watched a movie the whole time, and the drill didn't phase him at all, but we use an electric toothbrush at home, so the noise isn't that different. He was extremely cooperative with this dentist...and he was very different with different dentists, so it was as much the dentist's kid skills as my son's readiness.

I really recommend going to a few more pediatric dentists for evaluations.

Thanks! We have an appointment with a holistic dentist 5 hours away, tomorrow morning. They are not a pedi dentist, however they were the only ones who would take us if we wanted a parent in the room.

And I just found out WHY.

Apparently when our family dentist emailed DD's x-rays to other pedi dentists in Halifax, he wrote a little note attached, which said:

"Name, had a very difficult time with her initial
hygiene visit. Mom, has concerns with not being able to go into the
operatory with Name, and feels that Name would be fine without sedation,
however with the behavior exhibited during her hygiene visit (upset, crying,
fussing, difficult to keep seated) it is highly recommended in the best
interest of Name that the work be completed with sedation."

This is completely and utterly untrue! The only reason we found out, was that we asked for the x-rays to be forwarded to our email addresses as well, and they didn't change the note! First of all, I was in the next exam room, while DD, DS and DD2 were at the hygienist with DH. She didn't cry, period. I heard DD2 at all times talking and laughing, but nothing of DD1. She had no difficulties to be seated! The first thing that DH told me when they came out was that DD did absolutely great, was patient, tolerated everything well, and listened well.

Yes, she is a grumpy kid, and she was not very cheerful at the dentist. She frowned a lot, according to DH, and basically told them that she didn't like the taste of the thing they were putting in her mouth, etc. She was not more upset than anyone at the dentist! What do they expect? I wasn't laughing with joy at my cleaning either, I simply tolerated it. She was 100% compliant, but a bit grumpy. This is not "fussy"!

I'm livid, as I'm sure now that another dentist, whom DH quite liked during his initial phone conversation would have taken DD, as he was all for it, before he received this note. No wonder no one wanted a fussy, crying, upset, non compliant 8 year old with 8 cavities! Only her behaviour wasn't even close to what they described!

Now the holistic dentists have received the same note. I emailed them a short note, reassuring them that DD's behaviour was nowhere what was described. I hope they receive her with an open mind...Wish us luck.

[midnightwriter]

Originally Posted by LorenaAZ

I used gas when I was younger and had a molar extracted. The gas in NOT a pain killer. It makes you feel like you don`t have a care in the world, and makes you extremely slow to react (like you are reaaaallllyyy heavy, your arms are heavy, etc). I was given an injection into my gum first as an anaesthetic, and then the gas, so all the pulling and jerking on my mollar wouldn`t freak me out. It worked out well.....but my parents are both doctors and I used to spend A LOT of time with my dad`s friend who was a dentist. He let me in his office when I was a little girl with his patients`permission...I clearly remember him asking me to move my head `cause he couldn`t see into his patients`mouths. It was a great learning experience for me, and I never feared the dentist.

Having said that, I would NEVER let my DD into a dentist`s office for treatment without me there. Especially if she has never seen what they do, how they do it, etc....it can be terrifying for a child. I don`t care what the reason is for the dentist to have this policy. And restraints? No way. If they felt restraints were necessary, then I would prefer having my DD go under general anaesthesia. We are not in the dark ages any more!

You need to find someone who respects your child as a person, and not as a little animal to be subdued by any means so the dr can make his money in a timely manner before lunch time. I have friends whose dentists set up appointments with the children just to talk, familiarize them with the equipment, the office, etc. and get the children to trust and like their dentists before any kind of treatment even begins. And yours is telling you not to tell your child until you are on the way there?? Insane!! There are humane dentists out there who care about their patients, even if they are little people. They deserve the same respect as any adult.

Have you seen the holistic dentist yet?

Thanks for your post. I feel we are in some kind of an alternate reality with this dentist situation! I keep thinking that this can't just be true.

We're seeing the holistic dentist tomorrow. We have a 2 h appointment tomorrow, and then we stay overnight in that city, and another 2 h appointment on Wednesday. I just hope that DD tolerates it well. She understands the reasons we are going there, and what is involved.

It will be stressful, though, as we are leaving very early, and have to drive for 5 h, and arrive there around the appointment time. Then we have the rest of the day off, and an early appointment.

One of the neighbours just told her that her dentist smacked her in the face. Probably not true, but at least DD does not have THAT particular fear, as Daddy will be with her. She asked me if I could guarantee no one will hit her, and I said, I was certain, 100%.

[midnightwriter]

our update

DD had two sessions with the holistic dentist, with the needle / freezing. The fist session was absolutely great--no pain, and she was chatty and in good spirits throughout the appointment. The dentist was phenomenal in terms of giving her as much as possible control, and in general, in keeping a positive environment.

The next day, they did a root canal, and it WAS painful. She cried quite a lot, and it was stressful for me to hear it (DH was with her), but DD still cooperated very well. And because of the great rapport they had established the day before, DD retained her positive attitude about the dentist, and has no issues coming back.

We have an appointment in two weeks, for two small fillings.

I'm so glad we gave it a try. The 4 h drive (one way, yikes!) was totally worth the positive experience.

Thank you everybody for suggestions and advice.

[rachelsmama]

Oh, wow, it sounds like the drive was worth it! Where is the holistic dentist? Both of my kids have bad teeth and we're in Halifax too. I would love to know which office attached that note too, so I can avoid them, you can PM me if you'd rather not post publicly.

[midnightwriter]

Originally Posted by rachelsmama

Oh, wow, it sounds like the drive was worth it! Where is the holistic dentist? Both of my kids have bad teeth and we're in Halifax too. I would love to know which office attached that note too, so I can avoid them, you can PM me if you'd rather not post publicly.

The dentist is in Saint John, NB. If you Google for a holistic dentist in New Brunswick, you will get their office, one Duke street.

I'd avoid Scotia Dentists. It is a huge office, so someone there might be decent, who knows. But we are not going to see them any more, obviously.

Good luck!

[rachelsmama]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[sarahdavida]

Originally Posted by midnightwriter

I'm so glad we gave it a try. The 4 h drive (one way, yikes!) was totally worth the positive experience.

That´s great! you must be so relieved...

you know, reading a lot of these messages is making me rethink the absolute necessity of doing all DS´work under general anesthesia...we´ve had to put it off so much anyway because of this or that cold and now because of a trip...DS is 3 and maybe - just maybe - if the dentist is patient enough (which he seems to be - really good with him so far), he´d be willing to give the fillings a try in his office - even though it would mean more visits...it´s worth a shot, right? the worst could be it´s a total failure and we go ahead with the hospital scenario...

[LorenaAZ]

That`s great to hear!! I`m so happy for your little one!

[midnightwriter]

Originally Posted by sarahdavida

That´s great! you must be so relieved...

you know, reading a lot of these messages is making me rethink the absolute necessity of doing all DS´work under general anesthesia...we´ve had to put it off so much anyway because of this or that cold and now because of a trip...DS is 3 and maybe - just maybe - if the dentist is patient enough (which he seems to be - really good with him so far), he´d be willing to give the fillings a try in his office - even though it would mean more visits...it´s worth a shot, right? the worst could be it´s a total failure and we go ahead with the hospital scenario...

I'd try first, for sure, if the dentist is willing. 3 is harder, though, as not sure how much cooperation you can achieve.

Interestingly this dentist said that she found that so many children experience sedation for dental work, that many adults want to be sedated for very minor procedures, because this is the only way they know.

[midnightwriter]

Originally Posted by LorenaAZ

That`s great to hear!! I`m so happy for your little one!

Thanks!