The joy of dentistry
Categories: Toddlers, Kids 5-7, Places to go, Health & safety, Development
Rachel took Sara and Jared to the dentist last Thursday. It was Sara's first time, so naturally, we were somewhat concerned that she might be scared or uncooperative. Nuh-uh. She sat down, opened her mouth, did everything the dentist and hygienist asked. Of course, it doesn't hurt that we found a great kids' dental office. Sara got to sit and watch Elmo with the office puppy on her lap. It sounds like she may have actually enjoyed her visit.Not so Jared, alas. He inherited my easily-triggered gag reflex. He gagged when they painted his teeth to identify missed plaque. He gagged so badly when the hygienist tried to take some X-rays of his teeth, that she decided they weren't really necessary. Then, my wife asked about a bump on his upper gum -- we thought it was a tooth growing in sideways. The hygienist called the dentist immediately who wanted X-rays. This time, he not only gagged, he threw up all over the place.
Normally, Rachel has plenty of extra clothes for the kids, but this time, for whatever reason, she didn't have any with her. They cleaned him up as best she could and had him wear is fleece jacket zipped up without a shirt. I'm not sure how, but the dentist was able to get X-rays without putting anything in Jared's mouth. From that, she could tell that the bump was an abscess and that meant the existing baby tooth had to be pulled. The dentist said she'd never seen anything like it before -- all his teeth were in good shape.
So, we have to go back and get his tooth pulled. The dentist recommended not even telling Jared that he was going to the dentist at all, let alone telling him she was going to pull one of his teeth. She said to just show up at school and pick him up, without giving him any chance to worry. I'm not so sure that's the best course, but she's dealt with this sort of thing much more than I have.
Rachel's big concern is the nitrous oxide -- laughing gas -- that the dentist will use during the procedure. I'm sure it's okay for kids and that she knows what she's doing with it, but still the worry is there. My big doubt involves the retainer he'll need to wear to make sure the space doesn't close up, blocking the permanent tooth underneath. It sounds very unpleasant. So, has anyone else's kids gone through something like this? What else should we be worrying about? Or should we not be worrying at all?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
al 8-14-2007 @ 12:29PM
It seems you trust your pediatric dentist, however, given the fact that the dentist has never seen anything like this case, I would get a second opinion before proceeding with the recommended procedure. Also, given that Jared appears to be very intelligent, I would let him know ahead of time that he is going to the dentist.
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Ethel 8-14-2007 @ 12:35PM
I think the fact that you're taking your kids to the dentist and making sure their mouths are healthy means you don't need a lot of advice. He'll get used to the retainer, and you are making a good change to protect Jared's future health.
I just hope this is not how my oldest's first trip to the dentist goes. He is a GAGGER.
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Jack's Mom 8-14-2007 @ 2:06PM
My son also had the pronounced gag reflex, and we were unable to get x-rays until we found a pediatric dentist who would use the 360 degree x-ray (Panavision??), which has the child bite down on a plastic tube the diameter of a pencil. Jack did have a cavity. Prior to the procedure the dentist let him know to wave his hand if he needed to tell her anything. The gas was given, and Jack began humming happily. The dentist bagan her drilling and after about 5 minutes Jack waved his hand, and we all peered down anxiously. Jack grinned and shouted "This is the best day EVER!!". He still loves going to the dentist.
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Ann Adams 8-14-2007 @ 4:30PM
I'd never spring something like that on a kid. It might be simpler in the short run but they'd never trust me again.
Rebecca chipped a tooth when she was little. The nerve died and the tooth needed a cap. She had a total meltdown; partly as a reaction to the "calming" medication they gave her.
We ended up having it done as oral surgery under full anesthesia. She was at least 8 before she'd become mature enough to handle a regular dentist.
Now she's fine with it.
About the retainer, I don't know. One of the girls (Rochelle?) had a tooth growing in behind the baby tooth but the dentist said it would be okay; no need to pull the baby tooth. In that case, the dentist was right but another case might be different.
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SKL 8-14-2007 @ 11:42PM
I agree with Al about the second opinion, and with Ann about telling your son in advance.
I took my brother to the dentist when he was 7 (I was 16) and they gave him laughing gas. I'd had no experience with this, as the rest of our family never had cavities as kids. There were no problems during the procedure. But it was kinda funny afterward. We had biked to the dentist, so we biked home. My brother was basically drunk driving (weaving, laughing) the whole way. Needless to say, we left the bikes home the next time.
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Amanda 8-15-2007 @ 2:08PM
First of all, it sounds like you have a great dental office.
My husband is a pediatric dentist, and from spending time in his office, I can tell you that they do get puked on regularly so that is no big deal! Also, the nitrous thing - not something to concern you - imagine the trauma Jared would undergo if you had to hold him down - and the mild anesthesia sounds much more promising. I actually had to have teeth pulled like that when I was young, and I had a permanent retainer. I remember it being painless and that I thought it was really cool, so no worries there either!
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