I had my toddler's cavities filled

[HeatherHeather]

I posted several months ago about my toddler's cavities. She had three - one in a rear molar and one b/w her two front teeth. I searched and searched and spent literally hours on the phone finding a dentist that would fill her teeth without putting her in the hospital under general. In the end, I found a great dentist that was willing to work with me and filled her teeth in the office. It went a lot better than I expected. She did cry the whole time, which I wasn't surprised about because she cries every single day every time I brush her teeth. He filled all three in about 20 mins. (which I thought was great) and he and his staff were very sensitive/kind to my dd while also being very effecient.

I just wanted to give an update and let people know that there are good dentists who will fill toddler teeth without sedation or general.

BTW, I did wait to fill them until the cavity in her molar started hurting her.

[kaPOW!]

Thanks for updating!!! Were you able to hold her the whole time, or did she sit still on her own? I'm so glad to hear that you had success and I hope that everyone is able to move on and forget all about dental woes.

[MangoMamma]

I must say I'm nervous of having my dd's cavities filled. She has two cavities in the back teeth and two small ones in the front. My dentist is going to fill the two in the back. He says they are small and that he'll fill them without an anaesthetic. The only problem is she is very shy and sensitive and I'm not sure how it is going to go. I'm relieved that a toddler could do it. My dd is 5 1/2.

[HeatherHeather]

They said I could choose between holding her or having her papoosed in the velcor blanket. I asked which would enable them to fill the teeth the fastest and they said the blanket, so I chose that. I was able to hold her while she was papoosed and they worked on her teeth. I think it was better that way, b/c I didn't have to actively restrain her. I won't say it was a pleasant experience, but she did much better than I thought she would and the staff was much, much better than I anticipated. She had no numbing for her front teeth, the cavities weren't deep and she had no pain for any of the fillings (including the front two). I've personally had several small cavities filled without novacaine (sp.) and not had a problem. If they are small enough, it doesn't hurt at all. Her rear tooth had been hurting her so the dentist did use novacaine for that.

I am so glad to be moving on, and with changes in her diet, I hope to not have to deal with this again.

Good luck with your 5 yo, I bet she comes through great. Although every child is different. My oldest would have been much more traumatized at 24 mos. with getting cavities filled than my youngest was.

[momma,mia]

Great news and congrats!! We are thinking of trying a dentist that seems to take more time with the little ones without GA than anyone I have heard so far. I am hoping we have luck as well!!