4 year old with cavaties. Any experience?

[holly7347]

My now 5 year old has 3 cavities. 2 were filled in the dentist office with nothing as far as gas, novicane etc. She did really good, she did cry but not because she was hurt I think it was just the noise. It didn't cause her to not want to go back to the dentist. At her last two checkups they mentioned another cavity and told me to brush it extra and make sure the flouride toothpaste really got down into it. They said we could skip filling it if it doesn't get any worse and she doesn't complain that it hurts her.

I think if anything the cavity filling was a good thing for her. She has sensory integration disorder and really had a hard time letting anyone brush her teeth. She would instantly gag or clamp down on the brush so hard you couldn't move it. But now all we have to say to her is you really need to keep your teeth clean so they don't get any more bo-bos that require you going back to the dentist. She has been much more willing to let us help her brush her teeth.

The two fillings at the dentist office cost us about $140 and that was with insurance. So I would certainly check on the filing to get reimbursed ahead of time just so you know what to expect.

 

[Mommy2SabrinaJeremy]

My DD6 has had filings twice. The first time we did the white ones and the second time we went with silver because they were cheaper. I think I'll pay the extra next time. The white one was done in about 20 minutes total and she needed no anesthesia but the silver one took over an hour total and she had to have laughing gas. When I asked about the difference I was told that they have to drill deeper to do the silver so that's why the gas & extra time.

The moral of my story...ask lots of questions!

 

[noodleknitter]

Anesthesia isn't something to be trifled with. No way would I allow it.

 

[bigbabyblues]

My DS had a couple, the first one when he was 3, the second one he was probably 4, but his pediatric dentist filled them without any anesthesia, just the normal novacaine or whatever you get. He didn't bat an eye, no tears, nothing. It took about 10 minutes each time from the time he went through the door until he came back out.

Good luck though, I grew up being terrified of the dentist because my mother used it as a threat....don't do XXX or I'll take you to the dentist, etc.

 

[hollyd99]

To not fill cavities in baby teeth is just wrong! The cavities just get bigger and can affect the adult teeth. Why would anyone risk those?

When my daughter was 4 she was put under for her cavities and a cap. Darned those fruit chews/gummies whatever you call them. They stick to their teeth eat holes in them. And then when she was 7 she had another cavity and the doctor just gave her the needle and she was fine with it. I was more worried about it than she was

 

[Narnia]

My children are very cavadie prone. We don't give them juices ar high sugar foods often nor did they have a bottle longer then 8 months. We have had the older two kids just get it done normally in the office with the needle. We changed dentest andthey and many in our city no longer will touch children due to children's fear of dentists. The youngest go to a highly acclaimed dentest that deals with children and special needs dental care. They get sedated and get all there work done at once.

 

[crisi]

To not fill cavities in baby teeth is just wrong! The cavities just get bigger and can affect the adult teeth. Why would anyone risk those?

When my daughter was 4 she was put under for her cavities and a cap. Darned those fruit chews/gummies whatever you call them. They stick to their teeth eat holes in them. And then when she was 7 she had another cavity and the doctor just gave her the needle and she was fine with it. I was more worried about it than she was

Its not just wrong, there are a lot of variables at play. We've let cavities go because they were small cavities in baby teeth that were already loose. There are risks to filling teeth in a small child, and more risk if you have to use GA in order to fill them.

If I NEEDED to put a small child under GA to fix teeth, I would - we put our daughter under GA for ear tubes. But it would have to be to the point where the dentist said "this WILL cause permanent damage" and where a second dentist concurred.

 

[seeking pixie dust]

Thank you all for your honest responses. I've spoken with the dentist office and we're going to go back for another check up in 3 months. We'll attempt Xrays and for my dd to lay in the chair - if that goes well, we can proceed to fill them without putting her under. This was a brand new dentist office for her, one that is recognized very highly in our community, so I feel confident with their abilities.

 

[proteus]

I don't believe in sealants, particularily since they have to remove enamel to make it adhere. It is a way of making extra money for the dentist and the process has to be "renewed" periodically. My DD was recommended sealants at age 5, she is now 14 and has never had a cavity, good brushing takes care of cavities.

 

[Goobergal99]

My DD never had any and I never even took her to the dentist until she was almost 6 I know I am a bad mommy... flame away, I was just so scared of them that I didn't want to impose the fear on my kiddle

Ironically, she loves the dentist, can't wait to get her braces this fall

 

[DawnM]

If the doctor is good, you don't need to have her put under.

We have a 4 year old. He had 9 cavities. We spent a year going 4 times to get each quadrant filled. His doctor is SO great! My 4 year old was never afraid to go back and even falls asleep during drilling with the novacane!

Dawn

 

[Malela9]

Girl, you have it easy! I have the world's worst dental insurance and my regular dentist refused to see my son (she didn't like kids) so my son's mouth got horrible! He now needs $2300 of regular pediatric dental work done (paid for out of our pocket) . He has 8 cavities, 4 cracked teeth and at least 3 more teeth need to be taken out. He is 8 years old.
The pediatric dentist wanted an orthodontist to evaluate him, now he has to start that too! That will be $3900! He will be using the nitruous-oxide gas for his 5 dental procedures, and I am glad that he can have it. What a mess my poor boy is in. Thank goodness they are all in his baby teeth. It is going to take 5 appointments to fix the mess.
See, you don't have it so bad. Get her teeth filled and move on. You could be me!

 

[Sorceress_Minnie]

My niece just had four cavities filled andthe dentist used "laughing gas." My sis said she did great with it. Is this a possibility for you?

 

[disney_family_1247]

My strong opinion (because I've dealt with an insane amount of #*$@* from dentists) is that you find a new dentist. 1) General anesthesia is a big risk and should be reserved for necessary surgery and 2) Using general anesthesia in the dentist's office is so risky I can't even believe it's still legal.

Give your daughter a couple of months to calm down about the dentist. Find a new one that doesn't freak her out. My eight year old has a LOOSE TOOTH with a cavity in it that her dentist wanted to fill . Sorry to offend any dentists (or car salesmen) on here, but in my experience, dentists are the used car salesmen of the medical world.

 

[bzzymom]

I have worked in an oral surgey office. They do not do fillings, but they do extractions, and other surgical procedures. Many people take their children there for extractions with general. Most dental insurances do not cover general anesthesia unless there is a medical reason, and comfort is not one of them. The cost of it is expensive because of the cost of the monitoring equipment, the medications, personnel and so on. Everything has a risk to it. You have to choose what it right for you children.