Bad Day, fellas!

[beastboy]

Took my daughter to her first dentist appointment....they only work with kids at this office. She was terrified....they couldn't even do x-rays...but visibly could see 7 cavaties....talk about feeling guilty....my little girl will have to be drugged and strapped down to get these filled.

The thing is my daughter is a very good eater...stays away from juices and most junk food. WE brush her teeth at least 2 times a day. The only thing we can attribute it to is the fruit snacks she use to eat constantly when she was about 2. It is unbelievable the amount of damage those things can do. I am honestly ashamed of my naiveness(sp? if that is even a word)....and feel sick to my stomach that I allowed this to happen. If you could of seen her face, tears, and heard here screaming "daddy" today, you wouldn't believe the feeling I have to know that it will only get worse....and I have to be the one to hold her down and drug her.

Man...I feel sick.

 

[Mandinka2]

How old is she? If these are just her milk teeth then ull get another chance later on. Cheer up , my ol man didnt give a toss about his kids teeth or most other things , ur doin a bang up job!

 

[supersizeme]

It's ok, homie. She will forgive you for this and Daddy will be the bad ass of the planet once again. This will no doubt cost you some toys though!!

(naivety)

 

[flex123]

It's ok, homie. She will forgive you for this and Daddy will be the bad ass of the planet once again. This will no doubt cost you some toys though!!

(naivety)

LOL...now if that statement doesn't make him crack a smile I don't know what will

 

[flexygrl]

I personally think it's also a lot about genetics. Did you have a lot of cavities as a kid? Your wife? I got my first cavity when I was 19. I ate tons of junk and hardly ever brushed and when I did it wasn't the right way.

How was the dentist with her? Did they sit her down and explain what they were doing. When I was a kid my dentist explained everything. I had to have a lot of teeth pulled as a kid, cause I had a small mouth. I was never, ever scared.

 

[casavant]

That sucks man. Sorry to hear it.

("naivete" may have been the word you were looking for, btw)

 

[the nature boy]

don't worry. she'll repay you by putting you in that crooked old folks home they showed on 60 Minutes.

 

[Citruscide]

Something that helped me out as a child were flouride mouthwash... not the store bought stuff... but like a good flouride stuff the dentists use... it really helps to strengthen the teeth... I have NO cavities until I was like 20 because of it (and I stopped using the stuff after I was 12).

C-ditty

 

[flexygrl]

also, that sealing thing. You should get that done. The dentist will do it. That works really well!

Great idea, C Ditty

 

[Big Johnson]

Its not your fault, bb. Sounds like you already do more than most parents probably do for their kids. Props for taking her to a child's dentist, too. Have you looked into flouridated water?

When I was her age, my folks took me to a dentist that was such an evil prick, I swear if I ever see him walking down the street I'll whip his ass for the things he said to me through clenched teeth while I was in his chair.

 

[beastboy]

Thanks all.

Fruit Snacks are loaded with sugar...and are hard as hell to clean out of teeth. All of the cavaties seen out of the 7 were in the top of her molars where they would of stuck. (BTW she is 4).

The other thing is that most general dentists and doctors tell you that they don't want to see kids unit they are 3-4. The ped. dentist said start to bring them at 1 at least to just educate and get a look at their teeth.

We are going to start giving her flouride rinses. When we take her in for the first batch of fillings , I have to give her a tranquilzer before we go...then she gets nitrous oxide there and a type of blanket that restrains her....she'll also get teeth "pillows" to hold her mouth open.

WE have to pay $50 for behaivoral treatment for each visit...the insurance doesn't cover that...we are also going to pay the $20-$30 per filling for the white fillings. This could get pricey but I'm more worried about the pain and fear she may have.

The dentist and hygentist were very nice and patient with her.....my daughter just does not like to feel restrained or having formal attention. If it is a casual thing, she is one of the most friendly kids that I know.

Flexy.....I believe it has alot to do with genetics.....I am a freak about brushing my teeth, bust constantly had to have fillings. My wife is the same way.

I just hope some of the parents realize that what we think are good for out children, may not be. Fruit snacks and juice are 2 of the biggest culprits for cavaties in kids.

NB....I'm fine with the home, as long as it is Persian-free.

Goblin...thanks...so I know you?

 

[flexygrl]

BB,

Before you start giving her tranquilizers, try another dentist. They should not have to restrain her at all. Did they talk to her like a normal human being or like a dumb kid? My dentist always spoke to me like he would to any other patient. He explained everything he was doing. I was very young. My parents weren't even in the room with me and I was fine.

Just try. What could it hurt? JMO. I don't have kids, but if I did that's what I would do.

 

[casavant]

I have to give her a tranquilzer before we go...then she gets nitrous oxide there

Damn, dude, will you take me to the dentist?

 

[beastboy]

She is only 4....she can't reason as well when being talked to and trying to force her to do something that she doesn't want to do......

They were very polite and respectful......they stayed 30 minutes after closing to spend more time with her....including the dentist.....they also informed us that the crying doesn't bother them, but by giving her Viotin (or something like that) it protects her from being hurt if she fights it....there is no guarantee that this will even work. This is making me sick....because they went on to say at some times they need to actually put her all the way under and which means a hospital visit. The sedation can also cause her to get ill.

I hope next time she has a beet attitude towards it, but if this first visit is any indication, it will be difficult.


I think I may cry more than her.

 

[flex123]

I was like that also when I was 4. Sucks to admit it but I figured I might as well tell my story and hopefully it will help you.

I remember the fuss I put up but the rest of the story was told to me.

When I was 4 and found out I had to get a cavity I was running around the office trying to hide. I hide behind a coat rack and was probbly just as scared and upset as your daughter.

My mom kept trying to reason with me but it didn't work. In the end they brought me in the room where I sat on my moms lap and they told me they would just be cleaning my teeth. The dentist used the numbing stuff and went to work on my cavities. I thought I was just getting a cleaning.

Hope that story helps and maybe you could use a small white lie to your daughter and maybe it'll work.

Good Luck man. It must be hard for parents, I would never be able to watch a kid of mine (if I had any) get stiches or anything.

 

[big_bad_buff]

I dont care what anyone says man. some people are more acceptable to get cavaties than others. I have never had one and i'm 24. I was never really into sweets, but I had my fare share when I was young.

 

[DeepZenPill]

I ate like shit as a child. I didn't brush nearly enough either. I have never had a cavity. I honestly believe it's because the water here (Philly) has fluoride in it. I used to think it was just genetics, but I've had relatives who moved out to suburban Jersey, drank well water, and started getting cavities like no other.

 

[theoak01]

she may just be prone to cavities, my teeth are buggered up also,I cant get my bottom teeth to go white and I brush 3 times a day

 

[biteme]

Took my daughter to her first dentist appointment....they only work with kids at this office. She was terrified....they couldn't even do x-rays...but visibly could see 7 cavaties....talk about feeling guilty....my little girl will have to be drugged and strapped down to get these filled.

The thing is my daughter is a very good eater...stays away from juices and most junk food. WE brush her teeth at least 2 times a day. The only thing we can attribute it to is the fruit snacks she use to eat constantly when she was about 2. It is unbelievable the amount of damage those things can do. I am honestly ashamed of my naiveness(sp? if that is even a word)....and feel sick to my stomach that I allowed this to happen. If you could of seen her face, tears, and heard here screaming "daddy" today, you wouldn't believe the feeling I have to know that it will only get worse....and I have to be the one to hold her down and drug her.

Man...I feel sick.

Been there partner and it sucks. I had to help the nurses hold my daughter down while they were putting an I.V. into her and sticking tubes down her throat. She nearly bled to death from a hemmorhage of unknown cause. It was a reoccuring thing. Screwed me up because I love my daughter more than life and I can tell you are the same way. She's a cutie.

 

[NWinters]

thank God im cavity free.....(knocks on wood)

 

[beastboy]

Re: Re: Bad Day, fellas!

Been there partner and it sucks. I had to help the nurses hold my daughter down while they were putting an I.V. into her and sticking tubes down her throat. She nearly bled to death from a hemmorhage of unknown cause. It was a reoccuring thing. Screwed me up because I love my daughter more than life and I can tell you are the same way. She's a cutie.

Doesn't help when my daughter says to me last night. "Daddy, you aren't going to let the doctor do that to me again?".

I think I am going to need some drugs to calm me down.

 

[WODIN]

Hang tight beastboy...She takes her cues from you and your nervousness makes her more nervous try and be calm and let her know that everything is going to be okay. Reassurance is what she needs from you in your words, action and demeanor.

 

[vixenbabe]

I did not read all the replies..I have selective reading skills this AM. Sooo...Forgive me if someone else says what I have to say about this matter!

Bri had a cavity last year! BE SURE TO TAKE YOUR LIL GAL TO A PED. DENTIST! He will give her a bit of "gas" to relax her and then proceed to fixing her teeth. These guys deal with only children and are WONDERFUL with kids! If you do not have a Ped. Doctor in your area...I'll give you the name of this guy in Bowling Green, Oh. who did Bri. I can't recall his name right now..But... I'd get you the info!

By also doing the above, she WILL NOT fear her regular dentist in the future!

 

[beastboy]

Thanks vix........this is a ped. dentist.....I just have this feeling that all they will give her will not be enough.

I have to pre-medicate her before I even take her in.

The office was great....wish I knew about it 2 years ago.

 

[vixenbabe]

Be sure you get her the new sealants out on the market when her second teeth start coming in as well!!!!!!! ($25 per tooth and most insurance companies will cover sealants)

Glad this guy is a Ped. Dentist. They are the best to attain in this sort of situation.

She won't fear her regular dentist in the future either. Bri's reg. dentist is a God in her eyes since he never had to do the stuff the Ped. dentist did! Sooooo important not to have them fear going the the dentist!