Dental issues. Fillings & Extractions.

[CaptainMummy]

Paige went to the dentist in September/Oct and was told she needed two small white fillings (on her two back teeth)
Okay, fine. Went to next appointment and she got one done. She didn't have anything to compare it to so was all gung ho and apart from getting a bit upset toward the end, she was fine.
So we go to the next appointment and she refused to even sit back on the chair. She wouldn't open her mouth. She cried and whined and the dentist told me to leave it a few months and bring her back.

We went a few weeks ago. Not for a filling, just for a 'checkup' so the dentist could see what needed to be done. She still cried and wouldn't sit on the seat, and the dentist barely managed to look. She told Paige that she absolutely had to get a filling, otherwise she would need to.go to hospital and have it taken out (the dentist is very kind and gentle, and extremely patient. She certainly did everything possible to make Paige comfortable)
I booked another appointment for the filling. She refused. Didn't open her mouth. Nothing was done.
Went back last week, wouldn't sit down, I eventually lay on the chair and held her whilst she sat back on my knee. She still cried a little but then calmed down and sort of opened her mouth and allowed the dentist to give her the fluorise varnish. But no filling.

How many times do I try? I have tried everything. She knows she needs it done and the consequences of not having the filling. She agrees to it but as soon as we get there she chickens out and cries. She is so stubborn that nothing I say will make her opem her mouth, and she refuses to even touch the mask for the nitrous oxide, never mind put it over her nose.

Help!!

 

[alibaba24]

Sorry iv no advice but one of the reasons I refused to go to the dentist most of my childhood was the fact I was pinned down in the chair I remember choking on a bit of filling that had gone down the back of my throat and I couldn't sit up. It was horrific and still haunts me to this day. So I definately wouldn't recommend doing that again

 

[CaptainMummy]

I didn't mean I pinned her down, but I lay on the chair and she sat on my knee and I held her so she felt safe. She was then calm enough to get the varnish.

I have run out of ideas!

 

[alibaba24]

Sorry I probably mis read it was so tired. All I can suggest is taking her regularly but having nothing done just a peek in her mouth. That doesn't solve the filling issue though . Hopefully someone else will have better ideas . My dd was also to get the varnish but she flipped when they put the water spray and hoover on her. We've to go back in 6 months .....can see it going down like a lead balloon then too

 

[CaptainMummy]

Yeah, I was thinking of just taking her but having nothing done for a while.
It is the water that she hates too, she said it wasnt sorr when she got the other one, but I think it overwhelmed her so much with all the noise etc and has put her right off.
Its not even like it is a front tooth that can be left, arg! Have an appointment next week for her so will see how she gets on

 

[.Mrs.B.]

Assuming you've talked her through the reasons for needing it and she still freezes, could you just bribe her with a new toy/day out or something?
Would the dentist be willing to book you a longer session to give her time to ease up? How about having someone else there she is close to, Nanny, friend etc who she might want to impress.

 

[CaptainMummy]

Assuming you've talked her through the reasons for needing it and she still freezes, could you just bribe her with a new toy/day out or something?
Would the dentist be willing to book you a longer session to give her time to ease up? How about having someone else there she is close to, Nanny, friend etc who she might want to impress.

She fully understands why and agrees that she doesn't want ger tooth to be pulled out. I have tried bribing her with toys etc but she could care less. I did consider asking someone else to take her, but not sure if that would help. Maybe worth a try!

I am close to bribing her with a ridiculous £40 pair of folding lelli kellys that she has been asking for. That's how desperate I am to just get it over and done with!

 

[Rainbow82]

Could you try music on some earphones to help relax her and so she can't hear what's going on and take a bottle of water she can use to rinse instead of the stuff they have there then ask them to just check in her mouth a few times over a couple months so she gets used to it again before they do the filling.

 

[noon_child]

My parents have horrible memories of the nitrous mask from their childhood. You can't give nitrous to children here anymore but I'm not sure tats any advantage as you have to get injections instead.

What causes most anxiety is not pain but lack of control "What will happen if I start to choke but the dentist doesn't notice?" etc. Could you work out a way that she can communicate to the dentist if she needs a break or for him/her to stop for a moment - like a hand signal or something?

 

[sabby52]

I am sure your dentist has already discussed this and if not then ask them to, when my son goes to the dentist the dentist will always tell him if everything is okay then give a thumbs up but if he needs a break or wants her to stop for any reason then he gives a thumbs down. My son tested her quite a few times when he was getting his fissure sealants done and what should have taken 10 minutes took 35 minutes but the next time we went he knew he could trust her to stop when he gave the thumbs down and he only used it once and that was to tell her he was ok

Our dentist also has a tv attached to the seat and the kids can watch cartoons or listen to music if they want, does your dentist have one of these??

If all else fails then I would ask for a referral to a community dentist, they can spend more time with the kids and have dentists that specialise in working with children that have a fear or are nervous.

 

[lau86]

I really don't know which isn't helpful but I wanted to reply and say I can understand why you're both having difficulties! This is a situation I would struggle with too as ultimately nothing is really going to help she needs the filling it won't be nice and that's that. Personally If it was one of mine I would do the bribery and say something like 'look, it won't be nice. Sometimes we have to do things we don't want to do. Otherwise you will have to go and have it taken out. I will try everything to make it the best it can be and then afterwards we can get our treat'

 

[Natsku]

Oh dear, does sound tough. Is there any chance they can sedate her to do the filling?

Distract her with her favourite cartoon on your phone or tablet?