3 Yr Old Needs Filling

This was the exact scenario with my daughter, I stayed in the room with her and they use the "drill" but go slower. SHe didn't complain until the end and when it was over i asked her if her tooth was sore and she actually said her cheek was sore not her tooth (probably fromt hem having to pull on it)

If it's a small filling and they aren't getting anywhere near the nerve, she won't need novocaine, and that's a good thing. Most pediatric dentists have great experience keeping kids quiet and still, and they have ways of explaining or presenting the info of what's about to happen in a fun and non-threatening way. I would ask them what they plan to tell her, and I would use the same words beforehand, or just reassure her that they will be telling her what's going on. The less you build it up, the less she will be anxious about it beforehand.

My son had a small filling without novocain, and it was so quick, he really didn't notice anything. The dental cleaning took a lot more time. I would tell her very little, and feel free to get info beforehand that will calm you as well as your daughter. She has no experience with this so she is not anticipating anything.

Going forward, if she does ever need novocain, you'll learn that they numb the area with treated swabs (like Qtips, sort of) long before a needle ever shows up. They also block the child's view or distract her so she doesn't see much.

If they recommend sealants for her teeth to prevent cavities, go for it! Then encourage really healthy brushing habits going forward.

Good luck and try to relax. I know it's difficult, but this is going to be harder for you than it is for her!

Some dentists will have the child sit in mom's lap. Not sure what your dentist does. But try to stay calm because she will sense your tension and get upset. Just tell her and yourself that it's really no big deal, quick, quick.

Hi A.,

My oldest daughter (now 7) has had four cavities already. I don't know how it's happening, as we help her brush her teeth 2x/day and she flosses every night with our help. She just had sealants put on so hopefully that will help prevent any more! She had her first cavity at age 5, and because it wasn't deep, the dentist wanted to try without novacain. She was absolutely fine. I was in the waiting room with my younger 3 kids, dreading the whole thing, but she was out with us in about 30 minutes, so excited about the toy she got to pick out of the toy drawer. The dentist said she never made a peep, and my daughter said it didn't hurt a bit. She was the same way with cavity number 2.

Last month, her cavity was a bit deeper, and the dentist tried again without the novacain but it hurt too much. So, she gave her novacain, which I'm sure wasn't comfortable, but my daughter emerged with a droopy, drooling mouth and a big smile because of the toy from the toy drawer! My daughter is a glass-half-full kind of kid, though, so I'm sure that makes a difference.

If it's only a small cavity, your daughter might do just fine without novacain. The dentist will know pretty quickly if it's not working and will stop and try novacain. My dentist said that with kids, the novacain can be scarier and more painful than quick drilling, so she tries without novacain first. Her motto is "get in and get out" with little kids. The drilling is over in a couple of minutes.

Best of luck!

E.

Don't worry (I know, easier said than done)...My 8 year old also had a small cavity filled w/o novacain when he was about 5... He was fine and it went off without a hitch. your dentist would probably give her sonething it it hurts too much. Those novacain needles can be pretty scary too (even to us grown ups)
Good luck

Hello,

I just went through this for the second time with my son and he will be 3 in October. The first time he had just turned 2 and I was very nervous also. But he did great!!! They did not use novicaine and did say the only hard part might be when they need to "paint" the tooth because it does need to dry and he can not move around a lot, put his hands in his mouth, or close his mouth, but it took apx 5-10 mins at the most for the entire procedure. and it is not painful for them. They do not really drill I believe they use some special water "drill" that helps clear away the surface but he did not once seem as though it hurt. He got to watch a movie while they were doing it and I think was a little upset that he could not finish it. My son is or was more shy then my older daughter and does not like people he is not fimialar with coming too close and he still did great. The Dr told my son that she was going to clean the little sugar bugs out of his mouth if you think she is okay with that then tell her she just needs to get them out so they dont start to cause any pain. I was not using flouride toothpaste yet with him because he kept swallowing it but they told me this could be the reason he has had two and to use even just a little bit and that would help. Good Luck!

I have heard nothing but horror stories from people that go to small smiles so don't go to any of them. We go out towards worcester and love our pediatric dentist wouldn't trade her for the world. My oldest had a filling done in May and he sat in the chair watched a movie. They started w/o novacain but when he started to say ouch they asked if he wanted his tooth put to sleep. He got to watch a tv that was placed on the ceiling above his chair while having it filled. The worst part I think was when they do the actual filling bc it has to be dry. It went very quickly. If you are looking for a different dentist dont go to a family dentist pick one that is strictly pediatrics and special needs they are very patient. I also won't allow my children to go to one that won't allow me in the room w/ them bc I know plenty are like that.

Hi,
You should ask the dentist - but my daughter's dentist chose - rather than horrify my daughter, and because it was in a baby tooth that was likely to fall out within a year - to only scrape what he could and not drill - and then fill. So my daughter didn't have any pain. Also, my daughters have deep grooves too - I HIGHLY recommend getting them sealed as soon as she's old enough - it has made a huge difference just in the ease of brushing.
Good luck!

We were told this by our dentist too and it did not work out well. I will spare you the details but it was traumatic for both my son and me. We ended up moving to a different dentist who did a much better job with children. They felt that it was much better to have the area "good and numb" they also had lots of tricks for distracting. My son went from having a terrible experience to watching everything the dentist did using a small mirror that they gave him. Pediatric Dentistry of Reading and Winchester came highly recommended from several people and we have been nothing but satisfied.

I wouldn't spend the time, money or aggrevation on the filling... they will lose their baby teeth anyway. Why put your 4-year old through that? I was told that the only reason you take the child to the dentist before the age of 6 is to help them get comfortable with going to the dentist for when their adult-teeth come in... I'm pretty sure novacain and the drill is not going to help him get comfortable, that's for sure.

My son had a tooth that they told me the same thing. They said that the cavity was very small. I didn't have it filled and coinsedently switched dentists. The other dentist never mentioned filling the tooth and I didn't ask. He was about 4 yrs old and he is now a teenager. I'd leave it alone and keep an eye on it myself. You should be able to see if it starts go get worse. Play dentist with her and brush her teeth before bed. Count her teeth while you brush them. She will enjoy it. She can count yours too. As a rule I would not fill "baby" teeth. As long as it's one or two and doesn't bother them. They will be losing them anyway. Keep her teeth clean.

Sounds like you've gotten some good advice - just wanted to mention to make sure you get a composite rather than silver filling to avoid possible mercury exposure in your little one!

Hi A.,

My son also has very deep grooves in his teeth and has had 3 fillings already. (The first when he was 3.) His dentist uses laughing gas. Each filling went well. I simply tell my son that the dentist needs to scrape off the soft part of his tooth and fill it. I try not to make a big deal about it. Try to relax about is so your child does not pick up your nervousness.

I think we are going to sealants when his 6 year molars come in.

Good luck, I am sure it will go just fine. Dentists are usually very good at what they do!

R.