My 4 year old dtr has 2 cavities that need to be filled. They are going to sedate her and that scares me. They are going to have her drink something and give her laughing gas. Has anyone gone through this with their children?? I already feel guilty that she has the cavities in the first place!! Thank you for your advise.
2007-05-07 12:08:50 · 10 answers · asked by Me 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I am a registered dental assistant and also a mom, and I have also had to have dental work done on my son when he was about your daughters age. The drink they are going to give her is safe, as long as the dentist knows what they are doing and is trained in giving pediatric sedation. It will actually be better on her in the long run, because one bad dental experience can traumatize a person for years, making it difficult if no impossible to get future work done.
Don't feel guilty. At least you are doing something about it. I see parents all the time whose kids have a mouth full of rotten teeth, and the parents response is usually "I don't know how it happened. I don't give them sugar." (Which I know is complete bull, because sugar is what causes decay.) or they say "Well they're just baby teeth. They will fall out anyways. I can't afford to fix these teeth." This makes me sick and is neglect. Just try to really limit your daughters sugar intake. This includes candy, sodas, juice, cookies, snack cakes, even raisins. If left on a tooth for a long period of time, these foods and drinks can cause decay to form. The grooves on a childs teeth are deep and it is hard to clean them, so make sure that you either brush for her or check how well she does it herself.
2007-05-07 12:53:13 · answer #1 · answered by LittleMermaid 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah i just took my son to the dentist and he had 5 cavities but luckly they weren't deep enough so they didn't have to give him anything to numb him up all they did was put some type a paste over his teeth to fill the holes and another thing they don't want the parents back in the room so you better be prepare for that and they'll probably ask you to sign a paper saying it's ok they can use there method to hold the child down the child
2007-05-07 20:17:03 · answer #2 · answered by Adrianne R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DON'T feel guilty, first off. Things happen. My daughter is almost 5 and has had some cavities filled. She was born with a cleft lip/palate and her teeth aren't as strong as non-cleft affected children. She's had 7 surgeries total so far, btw.
I know how you feel about the sedation, I know your anxiety. Please know that your daughter will be closely monitored during the procedure. Sounds like they will give her a drug called Versed before the laughing gas. It's "silly syrup"... It will make her giggly and drowsy.
Try to stay calm. I know it's easier said than done. Trust me!
She'll come through it fine. :)
good luck to the both of you.
2007-05-07 19:16:57 · answer #3 · answered by AV 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a cavity when I was like somewhere around 6-7 years old, it's no big deal. And some time later, I ended up loosing the tooth they worked on, it was a baby tooth.
One thing that would help big time, is to get her one of those battery tooth brushes, they clean the teeth a lot better.
2007-05-07 19:17:30 · answer #4 · answered by Linds 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in regards to sedation, your daughter will be fine. A dental professional wouldn't routinely use something in surgery that has known ill effects.
About the cavities your daughter has, in the short term they aren't a bad thing but you need to address how she got them in the first place.
Cut down on sugary foods or, if not possible, only eat them at mealtimes instead of snacking through the day. Snacking means her teeth are constantly bathed in acid, causing decay. Drinking milk after sugary foods helps dilute the acid in her mouth and brushing thoroughly twice a day will help reduce the possibility of further dental decay.
this is a great website for further explanation
http://www.dentalhealth.org.uk/faqs/leafletdetail.php?LeafletID=3
2007-05-07 19:34:49 · answer #5 · answered by adnilebbeautiful 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My son has had to have this done twice now, (he's 3). Once to have his tongue clipped (he was tongue tied) and once to have some cavities filled (hanging my head in shame) It's scary for you but definitley the best way to go. My oldest had some dental work done at 3 and wasn't sedated, she got through it ok but it was very stressfull for her. And of course it's best to have the cavities taken care of before they turn into bigger problems.
2007-05-07 22:50:23 · answer #6 · answered by Heidi F 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my son had terrible teeth too...why are they going to sedate her? that should be an absolute LAST measure? is she scared? my son just went a few times, learned all about what was going to happen, and then they did it. and i was told to stay OUT of the room, that would make it harder for him. he is now a pro at the dentist! i would talk more to your dentist, to see if there is any way around NOT sedating her! :)
2007-05-07 21:14:32 · answer #7 · answered by ♥Shanabella♥ 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
But those teeth are gonna fall off in a couple of years. Are the cavities big? Then don't worry.
2007-05-07 19:16:47 · answer #8 · answered by Maus 7 · 0⤊ 6⤋
kids die like that. I wouldn't let her be put to sleep by some dentist...a real doctor an anesthesiologist should be the only one allowed to put a person to sleep. Good luck with this one....but i wouldn't allow it. Look at my link. Im telling you the truth....do a google search, many ppl die this way
2007-05-07 19:29:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 6⤋
Don't YOU freak out, or it will transfer to her. Do your guilting in private.
2007-05-07 19:25:00 · answer #10 · answered by Lydia 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋