Disastrous trip to the dentist today, my 7 year old has six cavities and one of them is so bad he needs to have that tooth pulled. I feel like the worst parent in the world. But talk to me about having a tooth pulled - I had assumed they’d numb it, but I talked to a friend whose son had one pulled and they used nitrous. I asked the practice and she said generally that doctor would just numb with kids but if I had a preference they’d do that. My son is already pretty scared about it and I think he’d probably do better with gas, I personally hate the numbing stuff and I think the idea of a needle in his mouth would send him over the edge, but does anybody have experiences either way? The dentist is an older man who’s pretty old school and I imagine that he does numbing because that’s what he’s always done but I want to be sure I’m standing up for my kid and not creating a terror of dentists.
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Our daughter had an extra tooth coming through the roof of her mouth that she had to have out. Our dentist first used nitrous and then Novocain before she took it out. This tooth was oddly shaped and needed more work so I doubt it could have been done with just gas. Our daughter was 4.5 at the time and took the whole thing like a champ. She was loopy enough from the gas I don't think she really registered that the shot went in.
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My just turned 9 year old had a tooth pulled on Friday. We opted to go to a paediatric dentist for the procedure, because I was worried she would freak out. We decided to get the nitrous (suggested by the dentist for us to), and between that and the freezing, it was an amazing experience. (back story: she had a cavity once and *freaked* out at the thought of the needle. This time she didn't even realize that the dentist had used a needle).
The tooth that had to be pulled was a 6 year molar--so a significant tooth that was not even close to 'wiggly' yet. I was worried about the potential for roots to break (and then it turning into a bigger procedure), and that the aftercare would be difficult.
She had the procedure at 4:00 pm, and by dinner was eating mashed potatoes, noodles and ice cream (I know--but we didn't want her waking up starving!). She is still tender in the area, but has been able to eat near normally since yesterday.
I don't know if there are other specific questions you might have that we could answer. For what it is worth, I am very happy with the decision to go to a paeds dentist for this, and loved the clinic and staff. Easy peasy process. We are in Toronto if you want the info!
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@woodentulip: Thanks! I’m regretting not going to a paediatric dentist, but I’m worried if I change now I’ll have to do an initial appointment and then schedule the surgery again and it’s already hurting him, so I’m reluctant. I’m not sure which tooth needs to go but I do know it’s a molar, and that they’ll have to put a spacer in, so I know it’s not one that will be coming out on its own any time soon.
He’s absolutely terrified of needles, though, so I like the idea of him not knowing that’s coming. The office wants to do the extraction and then a follow-up appointment to handle the cavities, which is also a big stressor, if the extraction goes badly I’m afraid the follow-up will be a nightmare.
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I’d push for gas. I had teeth pulled as a kid using gas ( not enough space in my mouth) and have no trauma associated with that experience. My trauma came from my first cavity, years later, where the numbing didn’t fully work.
Could you call a pediatric practice or two and see how soon they can get you in?
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I don't have pediatric experience with this but I'm an adult with crappy teeth in large part because of a lot of dental trauma as a kid that led me to avoid dental care for decades. I've had a lot of dental work done once I finally grew up and got my act together and I definitely recommend the gas. It helps relax you so that the numbing and the procedure doesn't feel as scary. And I would recommend going to a pediatric dentist if you can. They just have a much better approach with kids and more sensitivity to kid needs. I grew up in a country where this wasn't an option and it was a big contributor to my dental fears.
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Thanks for all the input, guys! I got a pediatric dentist recommendation from a friend and made an appointment for next week - we'll have to start from scratch in terms of doing a new patient visit first but I'd rather delay a week or so and not scar him for life.
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@erinbaderin: call the old dentist and request the xrays be transferred. You can even pick them up yourself and take them to the new dentist.
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Hmm, so today I talked to a) the dentist, who was fine with nitrous for both the extraction and the cavities and also suggested the possibility of doing it all at once fully sedated, and pitched that we try as scheduled with nitrous but if it seems like he’s still nervous pull out and reschedule with sedation (because the next time the anesthesiologist will be there is mid-May) and b) my son, who liked the dentist and wanted to stay with him, so I guess we’ll go ahead as planned, but I really appreciate all the feedback and support here!
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So while I am definitely no child psychologist, but I think that your kiddo being comfortable with the person and process is a pretty important factor to its success! Hopeful it is a smooth process for both of you!
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