O
ohmygodmyteeth
Junior member
- Joined
- May 20, 2013
- Messages
- 8
- Location
- Uk
Hi,
My son is 10, he like me has a fear of dentists. Although I have hidden my fear from him and took him too every appointment, and not even talked about my teeth issues in front of him, as I do have quite a big tooth issue, if anyone mentions teeth I leave the room! It has took me more than a year to get him to a good dentist, the one I am currently seeing myself.
The previous dentist removed a tooth and he reacted very badly and just screamed and there was no way she was going to remove the other tooth during the same appointment. I asked there and then can they not refer him to be put to sleep for it. They refused and said they would try again another day. After this experience I would not be taking him back there. So I found a good dentist who treats anxious patients, (took a while). Myself & my son now. We started building up a relationship between him and my son which was going great. He has a great way with kids and he liked him. Then we tried the gas and air "happy gas" so he could have a simple clean whilst feeling this would move forward him getting used to being at a dentist. He needed more work doing but we were taking small steps.
My son at the beginning was quite happy with the mask on and feeling a bit 'funny'. I stayed in room for support for him. As soon as the dentist went near his mouth with some numbing gel, he went mental. He would'nt stay stay and got very, upset and agitated. So we had to admit defeat and we decided it was best to send him to hospital to have his teeth that needed taken out whilst he was asleep. Which I was glad in a way, because in the year, his teeth had detiorated and so needed treatment. At least this dentist tried to work with us and was great with my son.
I am writing this as today, my son's tooth issue's came to the forefront of my mind. We went to the hospital and he had his problem teeth removed whilst he was asleep. He was an absolute little superstar. He had a pre-med and went to sleep so didn't even have to worry about needles. He has been brilliant and he coped very well. He has been home since early afternoon, and he is great. After he got over his initial dizziness, he was bright as, and bouncing round the house. Over-egging the "I need ice-cream" and his only worry is how he will ever be able to eat again! He managed chips and beans tonight so I think he will be fine!!
My reason for writing tonight is how do I move forward from this. If he won't ever let a dentist near his mouth, how will he ever get a check-up in the future. If he ever has another problem with his teeth as he get's older, how am I going to get him to learn that the dentist is there to make him feel better? Is it always going to be like this? I mean, he can't be put to sleep every time! He has started to get to know our dentist and is building up a good relationship with him, but they can't just be friends, at some point the dentist will have to get in there and look at his teeth again.
As I said before I keep my fears and worries well away from my children. My eldest daughter is 12 and apparently is a model patient at the dentist. Had an extraction no problems! Very proud of her too!
I am going to continue visiting the dentist and have him go even if the dentist does nothing as such. But I wondered is there anything else I can do to help him when he is there. Any suggestions greatly appreciated?? I don't want him to end up like me and avoiding the dentist for years!!! I want him to keep up having healthy teeth, but I also want him to not be scared of the dentist doing anything. We must be able to move on at some point? From just sitting in the chair? I am happy to spend all the time it takes to do whatever it takes to get my son comfortable. I don't want him to grow up with this fear (like so many of us!).
Again I waffle on! lol, I deleted this twice and then re-wrote. I just want what's best for my baby! But if anyone has any ideas, similar experiences, it may just help?
Thanks for reading x
My son is 10, he like me has a fear of dentists. Although I have hidden my fear from him and took him too every appointment, and not even talked about my teeth issues in front of him, as I do have quite a big tooth issue, if anyone mentions teeth I leave the room! It has took me more than a year to get him to a good dentist, the one I am currently seeing myself.
The previous dentist removed a tooth and he reacted very badly and just screamed and there was no way she was going to remove the other tooth during the same appointment. I asked there and then can they not refer him to be put to sleep for it. They refused and said they would try again another day. After this experience I would not be taking him back there. So I found a good dentist who treats anxious patients, (took a while). Myself & my son now. We started building up a relationship between him and my son which was going great. He has a great way with kids and he liked him. Then we tried the gas and air "happy gas" so he could have a simple clean whilst feeling this would move forward him getting used to being at a dentist. He needed more work doing but we were taking small steps.
My son at the beginning was quite happy with the mask on and feeling a bit 'funny'. I stayed in room for support for him. As soon as the dentist went near his mouth with some numbing gel, he went mental. He would'nt stay stay and got very, upset and agitated. So we had to admit defeat and we decided it was best to send him to hospital to have his teeth that needed taken out whilst he was asleep. Which I was glad in a way, because in the year, his teeth had detiorated and so needed treatment. At least this dentist tried to work with us and was great with my son.
I am writing this as today, my son's tooth issue's came to the forefront of my mind. We went to the hospital and he had his problem teeth removed whilst he was asleep. He was an absolute little superstar. He had a pre-med and went to sleep so didn't even have to worry about needles. He has been brilliant and he coped very well. He has been home since early afternoon, and he is great. After he got over his initial dizziness, he was bright as, and bouncing round the house. Over-egging the "I need ice-cream" and his only worry is how he will ever be able to eat again! He managed chips and beans tonight so I think he will be fine!!
My reason for writing tonight is how do I move forward from this. If he won't ever let a dentist near his mouth, how will he ever get a check-up in the future. If he ever has another problem with his teeth as he get's older, how am I going to get him to learn that the dentist is there to make him feel better? Is it always going to be like this? I mean, he can't be put to sleep every time! He has started to get to know our dentist and is building up a good relationship with him, but they can't just be friends, at some point the dentist will have to get in there and look at his teeth again.
As I said before I keep my fears and worries well away from my children. My eldest daughter is 12 and apparently is a model patient at the dentist. Had an extraction no problems! Very proud of her too!
I am going to continue visiting the dentist and have him go even if the dentist does nothing as such. But I wondered is there anything else I can do to help him when he is there. Any suggestions greatly appreciated?? I don't want him to end up like me and avoiding the dentist for years!!! I want him to keep up having healthy teeth, but I also want him to not be scared of the dentist doing anything. We must be able to move on at some point? From just sitting in the chair? I am happy to spend all the time it takes to do whatever it takes to get my son comfortable. I don't want him to grow up with this fear (like so many of us!).
Again I waffle on! lol, I deleted this twice and then re-wrote. I just want what's best for my baby! But if anyone has any ideas, similar experiences, it may just help?
Thanks for reading x