Young child's teeth and problems

[OnlyWantsOne]

My DD who is nearly 4 has very poor teeth, despite being very good at brushing them and then letting Mummy "finish the job"

She has a cracked front tooth (as she fell over aged 2 or so) and it chipped and died, resulting in trip to dentist to see if any thing could be done, nothing - however she is now very reluctant to go to dentist.

A few months ago I noticed a mark on one of her back teeth, which turned into a small cavity - I took her to her dentist (booking a double appt just in case) she completely refused to open her mouth and was very distressed even though we were all very calm etc with her.

Dentist suggested going to GP for referal to peads dental - did that, GP refused to refer as she is 3, and we were about to move so said it was pointless

DD, now has a really big cavity, and has started to complain it hurts, we are still being fab with brushing, but when I explain about seeing GP / dentist she gets terrified and is hard to calm down.

Now we have moved, registered at new GP, waiting for appt on Friday to see new one and ask for referal but DD just completely freaked out when I told her we were going to see new lovely lady doctor,

What do I do?? I feel so sorry for her :(

Sounds like you're doing the right thing with the brushing.

You can get a referral to the Special Dental Services - most areas should have them - they are usually based in a local hospital and are for children with a dental phobia or other special needs that cannot be met by a normal dentist. They are very good - we have used them.

my mum suggested I buy a "self filling" kit at DIY at home - Im not keen!!

Eeek!

really riven? how big were the cavities? how do they cap them?

Im really scared that DD will have to have her tooth out :(

maybe they could refer her to be sedated when she has it filled? ds has had two teeth out, dentist just said it would probably mean he'd need a brace later nothing about jaw development being buggered up.

leaving them would have caused painful abscesses eventually (they told me)

ok

I need to man up and deal with this dont i... :( poor DD

oh cripes really?

thank you for all your advice, any more greatly recieved, im not too keen on dentist but I know whats best for me, I just hate to see her in pain

Oh dear this brings back memories of my ds and his drs phobia. He grew out of it slowly and now at 5 is ok. Explain to her it just needs to be checked, my dentist is fab and first couple visits did not touch my ds, just got him to open mouth very wide and counted his teeth. I always found a trip to toys r us or town afterwards for a milkshake as a reward worked well. Bribery was the key for me lol.

Also your dentist can refer you to the hospital dentist, my dentist did that for my little dd after a bad accident acouple of weeks ago.