Does my 3-year-old have to have nitrous oxide to get a filling, or can it be done without it?

Question

My son has a small cavity in his front tooth. The dentist is recommending filling it and plans to use nitrous oxide but I'm wondering if that is really necessary. I think he can do it without the anesthesia. I'm sure other mothers have had to make this decision before, and was wondering how it turned out.

Answer 1

I am sorry people are being so judgemental to you! It's so rude to assume you did something wrong when so many factors, from the personal immunity to tooth morphology can influence susceptibility to cavities. Some kids have terrible enamel and some (like myself & my kids) have very pitted tooth surfaces which are impossible to clean (as in a toothbrush bristle or dentist's pick cannot physcially fit inside the groove to remove debris, people!).

Having said that, do you have access to a dentist who can do laser or microair abrasion rather than traditional drilling? They often advertise as "painless" dentists or "painless" drilling. I've never lived near one, unfortunately!

My daughter has had nitrous twice to repair small cavities in the aforementioned pits on her molars. It was just to relax her during the procedure and had no lasting side effects. The first time, I actually thought they had done it w/o because she recovered so quickly but he said she did feel some discomfort so they opted to start the gas. We felt it was better than subjecting her to pain which may have caused her to fear the dentist for the rest of her life.

It's a decision only you can make... good luck!

Answer 2

If you decided against the nitrous oxide, then your child will have to have novacaine which is much more invasive and traumatic. When the dentist drills to get rid of the decay he/she drills beyond the enamel of the tooth. Without anesthesia, this is extremely painful as you'd know if your dentist every started drilling before you were completely numb. My 7 year old has had small cavities filled using gas twice. You wouldn't even know it to look at her, she's completely normal and talking but feels absolutely no pain and is relaxed during the entire procedure. Definitely go with the nitrous oxide. You're child will sail right through the procedure and won't be afraid to go to the dentist for his next checkup.

Answer 3

Because of his age, it would be kinda hard to do only local anesthetic. When my step-daughter was 6 she had to use nitrous oxide for a baby root canal and everything went fine. As long as your son is going to a pediatric dentist, I wouldn't worry. The pediatric dentists do this type of thing every day.

Answer 4

As a child i had very bad teeth (inheritant from my fathers side i had soft teeth). I had dental work started at age 3 and nitrous was used for me as i was terrified of the needles plus dentists dont want to have a squirmy toddler in their chair who will most likely be scared and fidget.

Go with the gas.

Answer 5

Time to bite the bullet and let him cry himself to sleep. You have started a routine that he is used to now. You have to break that routine and start a new one. Maybe sit him down and read him a short story, then tell him you have to go take care of some things and that you will check on him after awhile. And do that for the first few nights as he will not likely go to sleep without you. After awhile he will learn that you are still nearby and get used to falling asleep without you. As far as waking up in the middle of the night, you'll have to put him back in bed and let him cry if he must but you have to be consistent. Don't let him think if he cries he'll get his way. Good luck!

Answer 6

my son's dentist would give a liquid sedation to help them thru the procedure . . he doesn't believe in gas . . the liquid is given one hour before hand so by the time the child is ready to get into the chair they are very relaxed and usually sleep thru the procedure . . it is very well tolerated . . you may want to consider a different dentist . . is yours a prediatric dentist or just a family dentist . . there is a difference in my opinion . . when we had to change dentists, they do use nitrous . . but if the child can't handle it, they opt for the sedation instead also ..... look around for a dentist you are comfortable with before traumatizing a child for life about going to the dentist

Answer 7

I was a dental assistant for a pediatric dentist for a while. He can do it without the gas. Gas can be scary especially for such a young child. I would say give it a try without the gas. And please start taking better care of your childs teeth. It is true that he is going to loose this tooth, but he is only three, he has at least 3 more years with this tooth so if you do not get it filled then the decay will just spread and can cause him pain. We used to strap the kids down on the papoose board (with parents permission). Sounds a little brutal but it kept them still and made it go super quick.

Answer 8

When my daughter was 3 she had to have her 4 front teeth taken out and the dentist used the gas. It was the best thing because the only thing she remembers is what she was told. She was eating regular foods within 3 hours of the procedure. And for all the critics...no she didn't have alot of sugar, she only drank 16 ounces of milk a day and the rest was water. She had no candies or cookies, snacks were fruit or veggies. And she got her teeth brushed twice a day, so please don't criticize people until you know the entire story.

Answer 9

I wouldn't let him do it is there is an alternative. They didn't come up with painless dentistry in my town until I was about 8 years. Meantime I had had some dental work without Novocain or any other anesthesia. Unpleasant, but no brain damage or other long term consequences.

Answer 10

My son had nitrous for a cavity- had to, he kept grabbing the dentists hand with the syringe...give the kid nitrous and you won't traumatize him.