https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 28 May 2026 18:49:03 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dental-work-with-young-kids-under-5#post-2853836 Mon, 29 Oct 2018 16:23:20 +0000 snowjewelz 2853836@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bees_knees: Oh yeah for sure. I've been talking to pretty much every day about this since I know it's gonna happen. Mostly she just doesn't like the loud sounds and every time they bring over a new "thing". I think talking about this daily is to prep her as much as it is to prep myself :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dental-work-with-young-kids-under-5#post-2853835 Mon, 29 Oct 2018 16:17:42 +0000 bees_knees 2853835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: I'd mostly just explain exactly what is going to happen. I hate it when they call the instruments "mr sucky" or whatever, just call it a freakin suction or a drill! I also feel like they were in a HUGE hurry to get it done (probably before he freaked out), but my son would have done better had they slowed down and explained the process….but to be fair, they don't know that about MY kid. So I probably should have said something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dental-work-with-young-kids-under-5#post-2853833 Mon, 29 Oct 2018 16:15:46 +0000 bees_knees 2853833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: I honestly can't exactly remember. I think around $75 per sealant? I'm pretty sure he got 3 or 4. The appointment happened shortly after the appointment with the fillings and it did NOT go well….I think we should have waited longer for him to heal from his cavity PTSD :silly: But they got them done! </p> <p>He had a regular cleaning a couple weeks ago and did awesome. And no cavities! And still love the dentist so *shrug* </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dental-work-with-young-kids-under-5#post-2853831 Mon, 29 Oct 2018 16:12:55 +0000 snowjewelz 2853831@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bees_knees: How much did you pay for sealants if you don't mind me asking? Great advice on the sunglasses! I might try to play music next to her too... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dental-work-with-young-kids-under-5#post-2853830 Mon, 29 Oct 2018 16:09:38 +0000 bees_knees 2853830@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: My oldest is 4, and has had 2 fillings already--same as your DD, he brushes really well, the anatomy of his teeth just make him prone to cavities (same as me!!)</p> <p>He did REALLY well, but I explained everything in super detail about what would happen. I brought him his own sunglasses since the light is bright. He actually didn't even use the nitrous! Looking back I wish I would have had them use it though (ha). He started panicking right in the last 5 minutes, but it was only because they were putting the stopper thing (whatever that is called? it literally looks like a door stop and keeps their mouth open!) and it seemed like it was too big for his mouth and he was gagging on it.</p> <p>Good luck! Oh, I'd also like to mention that we put sealants on his other molars to hopefully avoid any other cavities/fillings. We had to pay for them out of pocket because sealants on baby teeth aren't covered (even though fillings are…huge eye roll) so that might be something to look into for the future! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dental-work-with-young-kids-under-5#post-2853272 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 12:33:28 +0000 pinkb 2853272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD was 5 when she had hers filled, she had 3 I think. I waited a till she was a bit older since they found them sometime when she was 4. She did great and they used a drill. They were really quick too. They made up all kinds of silly things to help kids. Like they put your tooth to sleep. Later when I said she has a shot to numb it she got mad at me and corrected me. She had previously cried during her cleaning/ xrays so I was very surprised at how well she did.</p> <p>Good Luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dental-work-with-young-kids-under-5#post-2853250 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 11:41:53 +0000 snowjewelz 2853250@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@josina: They don't have TVs on ceilings, but I would totally hold up an ipad for her and give her headphones! I also told her she can pick out a toy treat so I hope that helps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dental-work-with-young-kids-under-5#post-2853248 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 11:41:01 +0000 snowjewelz 2853248@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsbubbletea: Yes, you are totally right. As as great as her dentist was about it, I couldn't help but feel like he prob thought I was lying about her not eating much sweets and/or brushing teeth well </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dental-work-with-young-kids-under-5#post-2853246 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 11:37:11 +0000 josina 2853246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: Yes, probably better to expect the worst and hope for the best. I would talk it up as much as you can prior, E also brought his own sunglasses to wear since the light it so bright (dentist also had some). We did offer up that we'd go buy him a new toy afterwords, so we talked that up during, and the dentist talked about their prizes and stickers too.<br /> The gas helped a lot, he was talking/asking questions during and didn't seem bothered at all. Our pediatric dentist was amazing. Maybe she can have an ipod during to listen to music she picks out and maybe drown out the noises? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dental-work-with-young-kids-under-5#post-2853245 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 11:36:15 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2853245@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good luck! I think your dentists plan sounds great. It’s not your fault! This was one of the hardest things I had to go through as a parent because of the guilt and stigma I attached to it myself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dental-work-with-young-kids-under-5#post-2853242 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 11:32:05 +0000 snowjewelz 2853242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@josina: Haha I was totally waiting for you to see this since I know E had something done recently! Wow, these kids are pros! I can't imagine doing anything besides cleaning without help haha! I guess I rather worry more than I need to, then not be prepared for an epic meltdown! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dental-work-with-young-kids-under-5#post-2853241 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 11:29:36 +0000 josina 2853241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was super worried for Ethan's fillings (and crown!) but he did great! We've got 2 of the 3 appointments done...<br /> We were going to try without laughing gas but he got nervous about just laying down, so we went with it, totally worth it!<br /> For the 1st appointment they numbed his left side. The whole thing was less than an hour for the crown and filling. We held his hands for a bit but his least favorite thing was the little vaccuum, so not bad!<br /> The 2nd appointment was like 15 minutes for 2 fillings, super fast, no numbing needed, he only complained about the vacuum again, and they did use a drill both times.<br /> DH prepped him by letting him know what the drill would sound like.<br /> I was way more worried than we needed to be with both. And a friend of mine's girls had fillings and even teeth pulled without any laughing gas, so she may do fine without it.<br /> Hope it goes well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dental-work-with-young-kids-under-5#post-2853233 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 11:18:08 +0000 snowjewelz 2853233@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsScallop: Ooo, I'm going to call back and see if that's what they might have. I feel like the sound alone for drilling will freak her out (she cried when they turned on the toothbrush). She is so brave! Ugh, I'm glad you understand me! Feel like such a bad mom! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dental-work-with-young-kids-under-5#post-2853232 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 11:15:40 +0000 Mama Bird 2853232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess some kids are just prone to this. DS and DD brush their teeth the exact same way, but the result is... not the same. I guess DD has inherited my tooth structure with tiny little spaces between the teeth, because she's always getting food stuck in there. She's definitely going to have to watch more for cavities than he will :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dental-work-with-young-kids-under-5#post-2853229 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 11:13:15 +0000 Mrsbells 2853229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: firstly we switched from gummies at our pediatricians request, they now take the Flintstones chewable tablets that have a texture more like Tums. They are supposed to be less likely to cause cavities. You can also give her the vitamins right before she brushes. Also dried fruit like raisins can be a big culprit too.<br /> My LO didn't have cavities but needed a crown due to a chip on a tooth and they were able to do it without sedation. They had a tv on the ceiling and combined nitrous with the numbing shot and she was fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dental-work-with-young-kids-under-5#post-2853227 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 11:04:44 +0000 MrsScallop 2853227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, I feel you! My 5 (almost 6) year old was found to have 5 cavities this summer :shocked: I still feel so so so guilty, and just like you, I thought we were doing well with tooth brushing and not too much candy. She has had 4 of them done now in 2 separate appointments, with 1 to go. She has done really really well with each appointment without any type of sedation, but our dentist was able to use a laser to remove the cavity (no drilling), which I'm sure helped a lot. I don't remember what the laser is called, but my daughter said it felt like a cold tingle. </p> <p>If nothing else, big hugs to you! The mom guilt is rough :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dental-work-with-young-kids-under-5#post-2853217 Thu, 25 Oct 2018 10:14:03 +0000 snowjewelz 2853217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know there have been many other posts about this, but now it's our turn :sad: </p> <p>My almost 4 year old is going to need to fill in a few cavities. First of all, I feel SO guilty. I know some people are just more prone to them, and I swear she is on the low end of consuming sweet/treats compared to the "average kid". The only thing she does get are gummy vitamins. We always brush her teeth after she's done, I make her drink water after eating anything, etc. So anyway, I just feel horrible still. </p> <p>I just need again, all of your experiences. Currently, the course her dentist suggest is to make a few 1 hour appointments where he'll give nitrous and just try to get as much done as possible for however long she complies. At her last dentist visit she pretty much complied the whole way (but she did cry at some point). And if she freaks the heck out and won't let him do anything, then he suggests to do a mild sedation with a drink (so not going under), but he def hopes to just be able to do it a bit at a time without anything. </p> <p>I am a wreck between feeling nervous about whether she'd be able to get through this, and also feeling guilty for not doing more :sad: </p>