DD has her first cavity!

[decker96]

Took DD7 to the dentist last week and she has a cavity. When I told her she had one and she would have to get it filled she cried hysterically for 20 minutes. She is a somewhat timid kid and gets scared of alot of things easily, especially if it's something she's never done before. And right now, she's terrified of getting that filling.
What can I do to reassure her and make her not so scared? She doesn't have to go back in until next month, so I have a while. I haven't said anything about it lately so she doesn't worry about it the whole time (she's also a worrier). That night, after DH got home we were both showing her all the cavities we've had filled and telling her that it didn't hurt, that they'll give her something so she won't feel her mouth. We have yet to tell her that thing is a novicaine shot!! I'm sure that will put her over the edge!
She goes to a pediatric dentist and he does not seem concerned that she is scared. I don't mean he's indifferent to her fear, I'm sure they deal with it every day, but I don't. I hate to see her so upset!
She's also convinced if she brushes her teeth really well and often that she can make the cavity go away. DH and I have tried to tell her otherwise, but she doesn't believe us.
Any suggestions?

 

[monarchsfan16]

I can relate. I was a little older when I had my first cavity (12 maybe) but I was an emotional wreck. I knew about novicane and it scared me half to death. Plus I just got the idea that I had a dirty mouth since I had a cavity. I agree that it doesn't hurt. Heck, I've had 3 filled all without novicane (I flat out refused threatening to turn the needle on the dentist if that thing came near my mouth). Of course I had small cavities that weren't very deep. You may want to try talking to her about what actually happens. You know, they just clean it and paint your tooth, something like that. I know when my dentist cleaned our teeth when we were really little, even though he'd be scraping he'd tell us he was just "counting" our teeth. Don't exactly hide the truth, just make it seem less scary. Unfortunately though, worriers will worry no matter what. Trust me. I'm a worrier too.
And just keep telling her it's not awful that she got one. Some really are unavoidable. My dentist is at fault for mine. I have deep pits in the sides of my teeth that he admits should be sealed but he doesn't want to .
Is there something that would make her more comfortable? My old dentist used to let us watch videos when we were having procedures done. Or even bring in the music that we wanted to listen to. Does yours do anything like that?
Remind her also that dentists do this hundreds of times a day (a little exaggeration will not hurt). Remind her he's experienced and since she has a ped dentist she's in even better hands. He specifically knows what to do in a child's mouth.
Good luck and a big hug to your daughter.

 

[Serena]

My kids' pediatric dentist used a ph formula to numb the area before getting the shot. They didn't know about the shot for at least a year.
Talk to the dentist and ask what the procedures are. But don't give in to her fear. Treat it as a normal thing and she will deal with it a little easier. If you offer too much sympathy, she'll think there is a reason to be frightened.

 

[decker96]

Originally posted by Serena
Treat it as a normal thing and she will deal with it a little easier. If you offer too much sympathy, she'll think there is a reason to be frightened.

Because she is such a worrier, this is what we do with everything she is scared of. Doesn't seem to make much difference, however, but we're hoping that it will make her more confident eventually.

Monarch's fan -- not sure if he lets them bring in music or anything like that, but I'll ask. Thanks for the support!

 

[Serena]

Ok, I'll take my .02 back.

 

[decker96]

Serena -- no problem, I'm always open to everyone's .02!

 

[DisneyBug1995]

My DD was 7 when she got her first cavity and is also a worrier. It was in a baby tooth so they didn't have to numb it before that filled it, baby teeth don't have nerves like permanet teeth do. They also used colored fillings which she was excited about, so we just focused on that. What color she would choose, etc. That kept her mind off everything else. They also gave her gas, which helped her to relax.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Oh so sorry to hear that ... Definitely talk to your dentist and see what they can do. My dentist has music and videos. I didn't have my first cavity until a couple of years ago. I think I was 25 Go figure, huh? My dentist said I probably drank too much diet soda during university... I hate needles too so I was pretty scared but I didn't mind the needle as much as I thought I would. The sound of the drill bothered me a lot more ... it was awful! It was loud and I never thought it would stop.

 

[decker96]

Originally posted by DisneyBug1995
It was in a baby tooth so they didn't have to numb it before that filled it, baby teeth don't have nerves like permanet teeth do.

Really?! I never knew that before. At least she may not have to get any novicaine then because it is in a baby tooth. Definitely need to check with the dentist on the exact procedure.

 

[dizagain]

O.k. Been there way too often with younger DD...she got my teeth which I got from my dear old Dad.

First time she needed crowns and a tooth out at 41/2 (tooth wasn't rotten - just no room in her mouth and it was either that or cut out a permanent one later). Anyway, she wouldn't open her mouth - we went to the hospital and knocked her out. Insurance paid.

Second time - two fillings. In office, but they asked me to dope her up and I did. The valium worked fine for the procedure but as she came down off it she flipped out and went NUTS. Very interesting afternoon - she hid from me in the toy store and tried to stab me with a pencil among other things.

Third time at 7 - one filling. She acted like a rational human being and went in alone! They gave her the mask (flavor choices, of course). Then they numbed the area up with a cream and gave her the shot. She was fine and didn't feel it.

I've never heard that there was no feeling - in all my personal experiences as a kid and those of my own children, there was always "the shot". Interesting info...

i'm headed in next week with older DD - two fillings - her first!

Good luck and I agree - don't give her too much sympathy, act like it's just the "way it is". I do tend to offer a samll treat afterwards, though!

 

[LMC]

My son got his first cavity at age 8 and has huge sensory issues and gagging problems so needless to say I was not looking forward to the visit to have this filled. Well where we go, the kids go back by themselves and there are 10 chairs in one room so they can see each other (great if no one is screaming but bad if someone starts screaming a scaring the other patients). So I wait out front and stay out of the whole process. I didn't even tell him what we were going for; he was going alot because he had braces on then so he didn't even ask. Well the appointment went FINE! They always give him the laughing gas because of his gagging reflex (you can request this but your insurance probably won't cover it) and then put the numbing gel on it and then the shot. DS said that he did not feel a thing!!!! He didn't even know that he had gotten a shot. LOL!!! I guess the gas is some really great stuff! Good luck!

 

[decker96]

I used to get the laughing gas too as a kid. It is some good stuff! LOL!! I'm not sure if our dentist has it or not. I definitely plan to ask about the numbing gel though. The insurance thing is not an issue because we don't have a dental plan anyway. (DH is self-employed so we only have medical). Thanks for everyone's advice and ideas!

 

[mickeyboat]

DD4 (now 5) had her first cavity filled this past summer. I tried to explain what was going to happen in advance, but I found that made her even more frightened. The dentist was very good at keeping her calm and explaining what was going to happen in a way she could understand.

I opted to have them give her some laughing gas. It worked wonders. They started with an uptight, frightened little girl and ended up with a smiling and relaxed patient.

Good luck to your little one.

Denae