3 year old, 3 cavities...they want to use the papoose.

[a(TM)?Star]

I don't know what to do. We just got back from the ped. dentist. He has 3 cavities. He was really hysterical during the exam, kicking, crying, etc. I couldn't really hold him that well. She suggested that she would have to use the papoose board for his 3 cavities, and she only wants to do one at a time, meaning that we go back 3 separate times. I don't know what to do!!!!!!!!! Do I do it? My gut is against it, but I won't put him under general anesthesia. Please tell me your stories. I'm a mess today over it.

[flowmom]

very stressful. Unless your child is in pain, take your time and find the right dental practice. A good dentist can really work with children and gain their confidence and make it fun. Look in your local MDC find your tribe thread and ask for advice on dentists. We've found 2 great practices within an hour's drive of our home. These people are incredible with kids - it can be done!!

JMHO, but with my kids I'd be more worried about the psychological scars of having dental work done against their will than I would be about the physical risks of GA, but that's a really personal judgement call :

There is also lots of alternative stuff that can be done to remineralize cavities, but be warned that serious commitment is required - for research and follow-through. Check out the threads in this forum.

good luck

[Beth-TX]

I agree with the pp--take the time to find a good dentist that you're comfortable with.

My dd recently had a whole mess of cavities fixed (she's 4.5). When we first took her to the dentist when she was 3.5, she refused to open her mouth at all. The dentist had to just take a quick look when she was crying. Her advice was to put dd under general anesthesia to do the work, but she also said that if we wanted to wait 6 months, that would be okay too (dd was not in pain). So we waited 6 months and what do you know, she opened right up! In that short period of time, she had matured enough that she was able to sit patiently through an exam and, consequently, the dentist felt comfortable with just using a mild sedative to do the work.

So, I guess I'm saying it might be worth it to take a wait and see approach, if your child is not in pain. But, do find a good dentist in the meantime. It will make all the difference.

Good luck and hugs to you. I know how difficult this is...

peace, Beth

[Beth-TX]

also...

I'd like to add that when we took dd back, I had my dh take her. I was so crazy nervous, I felt like she would sense that. My husband was a very calming influence on her. Having someone who is not so emotionally involved take your child could help.

peace, Beth

[lindberg99]

Originally Posted by Beth-TX

also...

I'd like to add that when we took dd back, I had my dh take her. I was so crazy nervous, I felt like she would sense that. My husband was a very calming influence on her. Having someone who is not so emotionally involved take your child could help.

peace, Beth

That is a great point! I get really stressed out about stuff whereas my DH doesn't. I still make him take our almost 10 yo DD certain places because she just doesn't get as upset with him as she does with me.

[a(TM)?Star]

Thank you so much. I can't let them use a papoose board, but I'm scared to let them use GA or a sedative. I need to find another doctor who doesn't just restrain their patients, and actually works with them. I wish dh could bring him, but he's worse than me. My mom would be okay, but I don't trust her, she wanted me to let them use the board to being with. Thank you again.

[ghostlykisses]

Awww poor baby. My son's teeth came in half rotten to begin with, two teeth grew in the place of one and it was rotting from the start. My son did not like the exam and the dentist wanted to do very invasive things. My son's teeth are in bad shape but he is not in pain so like others I am waiting for him to be able to sit on his own to have the work done.

I am interested in knowing how I could make all of our teeth stronger. Bad/weak teeth seem to run in the family.

[Marni]

What kind of "mild sedative" are dentists using on kids? My 5 year old gets "laughing gas" (nitrous oxide) with each inbetween the molars filling. Are there other calming options? Which are less harmful than others?

[Arduinna]

I would not let my kid be strapped down. Period. It was done to me a kid and I've had a fear of dentists my whole life as a result.

[eclipse]

Originally Posted by Arduinna

I would not let my kid be strapped down. Period. It was done to me a kid and I've had a fear of dentists my whole life as a result.

I agree. My very high strung son had a lot of dental work done last summer and that was the one thing I said absoloutely no to. They did it under conscious sedation for him, but i don't know if they can do it as your as 3 (ds was 6). They did it all at once, too - there's no way I'd let them do three separate appointments just to fill a few cavities. They did an extraction/spacer, a cap, and about 6 cavities all in one shot with him. They originally planned two appointments, but when they saw how hard it was on him to even drink the sedative, they did it all in one shot.

I just found out today that my two year old is going to have some work done. The cavities are deep, and they think he's too young for sedation, so they are doing GA. I'm concerned about it, but I really think it's the only way to get it done without tying him down - and they said that at his age and maturity they think he just doesn't have the ability to be cooperative - fear would take over and even being restrained wouldn't help.

[eclipse]

Originally Posted by Marni

What kind of "mild sedative" are dentists using on kids? My 5 year old gets "laughing gas" (nitrous oxide) with each inbetween the molars filling. Are there other calming options? Which are less harmful than others?

I can't remember the name of the sedative they gave my son. It was something mixed in with juice. It made him a little drunkish and very compliant (which is the complete opposite of my son's personality.). They also gave him nitrous and local anesthetic.

[Limabean1975]

I did not know what a papoose board was until I just googled. All I can say is ONLY IN AN EXTREME EMERGENCY. I would choose a sedative over that. But, as PP's have said, it may not even take that - just a little time and a well-planned visit with a very child-friendly dentist may do the trick.

eta: I just want to add that I just read a couple of articles, and I can see where this tool may be needed (and/or better than being held by people) in very special cases and medical needs that are not emergency, but very necessary.

[dds07]

I wouldn't use the papoose, but I wouldn't ignore cavities, either. I don't know how big they are, but they can also turn into a painful nightmare that you don't want your baby going through and at that point, they are harder to anesthetize, harder to treat. The earlier you can treat small cavities, the more predictable and easy it is. I'd try another dentist and ask for alternatives like nitrous. Cavities that already have actual HOLES won't get better by waiting.

[a(TM)?Star]

Originally Posted by eclipse

I can't remember the name of the sedative they gave my son. It was something mixed in with juice. It made him a little drunkish and very compliant (which is the complete opposite of my son's personality.). They also gave him nitrous and local anesthetic.

Would you be able to find out the name of what they gave him for me?? TIA! This may be our ticket to treating him. Was it Versed?

[eclipse]

I think it was Versed, now that you mention it. I can check with the dentist's office next week to find out, since i have to call them to talk about the work than needs to be done on my 2 year old.

[a(TM)?Star]

Thanks!

[leila1213]

Yuk. Don't do it. Heal him with nutrition. www.curetoothdecay.com

[kiddie]

Originally Posted by ~Calla~

I don't know what to do. We just got back from the ped. dentist. He has 3 cavities. He was really hysterical during the exam, kicking, crying, etc. I couldn't really hold him that well. She suggested that she would have to use the papoose board for his 3 cavities, and she only wants to do one at a time, meaning that we go back 3 separate times. I don't know what to do!!!!!!!!! Do I do it? My gut is against it, but I won't put him under general anesthesia. Please tell me your stories. I'm a mess today over it.

Hello there. I totally understand where you are coming from and your concerns. I thought I would offer a reply. I do not know if you had treatment on your child as of yet. But I like to discuss the papoose board.

The papoose board is a behavior management tool that can help deliver safe and effective treatment for your child. You stated in your opening post that he was really hysterical, kicking, and crying at the exam visit. This outright eliminates the use of nitrous oxide. The child simply will not allow a nose piece on him if he will not sit for an exam. You also stated you are against general anesthesia. So that option is out. It sounds like this child will need oral sedation at the minimum. Even with oral sedation a papoose may still be used. You have to understand the papoose is not to punish the child but rather to deliver safe and effective treatment. It is to protect both the child and staff from physical harm. In some situations, you will find when the child realizes they are immobile and have no way to get out they actually will calm down. As for doing each cavity one at a time. I am certain if the pediatric dentist can safely do all three at the same time they will. But, it is possible that this pediatric dentist may feel short fast appointments are indicated. He or she has their best interest in mind. You may want to consider oral sedation though as it may make you as the parent more relaxed and comfortable as your child will likely not be as combative during treatment. I hope this helps.

[Arduinna]

The problem with the papoose is that it doesn't protect the child from mental harm. And as parents our children's long term physical and mental health are of utmost importance. The papoose may be a means to an end for you, as someone that clearly works in the dental field but parents have much more to consider. And I resent your showing up here and trying to sell the papoose as some sort of benign technique.

[Mamato3wild ponnie]

I second the fact aht the papoose does not protect the child from mental harm. Until you've seen your own child in a papoose please dont coment on them. The papoose is a way to hold the child against his or her will....more than likely if the child refuses to hold still or keep his or her mouth open a second device is used....a toth pillow....a device that hold the child mouth open against his or her will. i would never agree to the papoose never ever. My oldest child was placed in one when he was 5 and is now 14 and refuses to go to the dentist even still to this day. My 3rd child had cavities when he was 2 1/2 and i went to 5 different dentist till i found one to use versed and it worked great. Also when i took him in for a cleaning at 3 1/2 he was so great witht he dentist...open mouth the whole time...great. I think waiting till the child is older is much easier too. He even had a cavity filled when he was 3 1/2 and held his mouth open the whole time. Idealy i would wait..take child to the dentist every 6 months for a check up and get him used to holding his mouth open and give the child a chance to gain trust in a good dentist. Good luck with everything.