Daughter scared of dentist

[mifta]

Hi

Last year my daughter, who was 9 at the time, had a replacement filing. She was fine before hand but, unfortunately, did not receive enough local anaesthetic and felt the drilling.etc. I have made an appointment for her check up and explained that sometimes we have to have things done that we don't like in order to make sure everything is ok in the future. my sister has suggested I give ger the choice of having a filing or not, if it is necessary, but explain to her the possibility of future problems should she not have the filing. Does anyone have any opinions about this? She is 10 years old and is quite a worrier generally.
Thanks

[ethanryan]

i dont think you should give her the choice, but just try and reassure her. maybe you could buy her a cheap walkman so that she cannot hear anything while it is been done. i have not been the dentist for 8 years as i have a fear of them. but now i have children of my own i make sure they are there for a check up every 6 months. i know its not always the answer but maybe you could tell her if she goes and has whatever needs doing done then you will buy her something, ot take her shopping, depending on your financial circumstances. i dont think you should leave it, you may have to be a bit harder on her explaining that she has to go but that you will not leave her side. i hate them so know how she feels, i wish my mom had benn tougher on me now as my teeth are quite bad at the back.

[vway]

my son of 7 had a terrible fear of the dentist after his first visit, on his next visit a tooth had to be removed and our dentist referred him to the local dental hospital they were fantastic. He has since been back to the same dental hospital for fillings and did not worry at all, could tour dental practice do the same for your daughter?

[mifta]

I'm not sure as we have just joined this practice as my daughter will not set foot in the previous one, also, the dentist removed the wrong tooth from me last year!! She has pragmatice language disorder and has extremes of reactions to things. I would prefer it if they could give her a general anaesthetic, but I don't know how likely this is.

[vway]

When my son had all his work done the gave him the same gas as women have when they are in labour (cannot remember it's name ) a small mask was placed over his nose he said it was great!! Basically laughing gas. Not only that but the dentist and nurses were very sympathetic, as I was just as nervous as he was.

[pidget]

My daughter was the same age as yours with the same problem, we were referred to another dentist where they could give more injection or knock her out if necessary as it was an adult tooth that needed filling, the dentist was lovely and just injected for longer whilst putting her mind at rest and she had that filing and 2 since with no problems. She now does not want to go back to her old dentist and I am sure it is down to the dentist who re-assured her and made her feel safe. Hope it works out for you.x

[Le Chat]

If you let her chose, she won't go and she'll end up with rotten teeth, which will take even more work! I hated the dentist for the same reasons as your girl and in later years, it was found that I have a high tolerance to the local anaesthetic. My dentist now give me double the amount and for the first time I don't feel a single thing (which is how it should be!) I even had all my silver fillings replaced with white, which is unbelievable for a dental fobic like me! The responsibility lies with your dentist to fire in some extra numbing juice.
Good luck and make sure you tell the dentist to put in a bit extra next time!
K

[Floella]

Two of my daughters are terrified of the dentist after receiving treatment at the hands of a butcher! They both now opt to visit a dentist that will give them a sedative, they are not knocked out but it relaxes them and they can't remember anything after the treatment.
This might be an option for your daughter.

[naflharrison]

hi i am 28 and have been afraid of the dentist since i was a child for the same reasons as your daughter, firstly find out if you surgery does sedation and if they dont find one that does and secondly if you find a surgery that will sedate your daughter i would reccomend her having earphones with music while being treated as even tho she may appear to be asleep ehr subconsious will hear the drill. it happend to me last when i was 18 and i was sedated i dont remember a thing but according to my dentist (and the bruises on my mother!!) she had to sit on me to pin me down as soon as the drill was started. your daughter must go to the dentist and you must ensure that her teeth are healthy or she will regret it when she is older i did and it took me until last year to really now be happy wth my smile. there are plenty of nhs dentist that will sedate but if you cant find one it would be worth going private as it doesnt cost that much for small treatments etc. trust me your daughter will be glad of you pushing the dentist trips when she is grown up and has insecurities about herself, mine was my smile and thanks to a very nice relaxing dentist and 400 quid later i am very happy to have straight healthy pearly-whites.