DS1 (nearly 8) got to have a filling. Am scared witless, anyone else's DC had any?

[MummyPenguin]

I know it's only a filling and it's a normal procedure, but I'm really worried for him. He's not the sort of child that takes things on the chin and I'm pretty sure he's going to cry and become distressed. I'm not sure if he'll have to have the numbing injection. Somebody said they use a gel for kids?

I was in two minds about posting this, as we know what MN can be like at times, and I don't want to be judged. Yes, he does eat sweets and so on, but no more than most kids. I'm just really worried for him and hate the thought of seeing him in any pain at all. You know what it's like yourself, don't you?

Has anyone else's DC had a filling? How did they cope? I know I'm asking you to fess up here, so sorry for that.

Well I would imagine they'll give him an injection but they'll give him numbing gel before they inject him.
After that he'll feel nothing at all except a numb face.

Get him a treat for after or take him somewhere to cheer him up.

I don't think he'd have an injection as no nerves in milk teeth? And don't beat yourself up, all sorts of things lead to fillings - antibiotics being one

My DD has had a cavity for a few years - it can just be down to a small defect in a tooth so nothing for anyone to get judgey about. The dentist used some sort of white paste, its not like a permanent amalgam filling (and doesn't contain mercury!) - has to be repatched about every other visit but it takes a couple of mins max. I guess the first time it might need a little cleaning out. But anyhow, it really wasn't a big deal. Good luck!

Oh thanks. It's a second tooth unfortunately. The gel before they inject him sounds likely what they'll do. I'm dreading it as I have an appt the same day, I've got to have a filling too. I'm not bothered about that, but I hate the whole experience, as I have a dodgy jaw on one side which slips out of socket occasionally. Even if it doesn't slip out, holding my mouth open for the dentist really hurts. Funnily enough, I've never mentioned it to the dentist, I've just got through it. I probably should tell him though.

Is it a baby tooth or an adult one? I didn't ever have an injection for my baby teeth when I was a child. It wasn't traumatic at all and this is from somebody who is a complete wimp about dentists now!

No reason to judge - some people's teeth are stronger than others.

Scared witless? Have a large G & T beforehand & you'll be fine

That's interesting about the toothpaste, santaoftheopera, DH has thrown all that out now and insists that they use the proper stuff that we use. They love the character toothpaste, but obv it's not really any good.

Good plan Stepford!

If you phone in advance and tell the receptionist you are a nervous patient they take it into account when they see you. I tipped off my dentist on dh's behalf and he was fine, having been a bag of nerves beforehand.

MP my 8 year old DD has had 3 (2 of them in the same tooth; it fell out). We have always cared for her teeth very well, although she has no sweets no at all except on special occasions, since the first filling. She never had many.

I have no guilt. You should have none either; we can only do our best most of the time, and I firmly believe that some children are prone to tooth problems and some are not. For instance, DD and DS1 have different fathers. DS1 is 15, has cystic fibrosis which means he has ALWAYS had a lot of calories and sugar.. sweets are part of his healthy diet.. (really!) and yet he has NEVER had a filling.

DD, as I said, had had a filling by the time she was just 7. And she has always had little in the way of added sugar.

DD loves going to the dentist! She has had 2 injections and doesn't mind them at bit. She has had no bad experiences whatsoever so she doesn't expect any, hence looks forward to going.

I'm sure your DD will be the same; just be upbeat and casual about it (even if the place gives YOU the heeby jeebies!) and she will take her lead from you.

Good luck.

Hiya
My DS1 had a back milk tooth out (as the new big back one couldn't get in) and three fillings as well as a dead nerve removed (he was in special care as a baby and the drugs caused holes in the teeth).

They are lovely little white fillings (can't see them at all ).

He had it all done in two goes, bit of gas and air, 'magic cream' and then an injection. He did scream when she pulled the tooth out but more fear than pain I think.

He'll be fine

PS - I didn't sleep for days before so I know where you're coming from!!

DS sorry

people used to give kids fluoride tablets and in some areas there is fluoride in the water(not here though). I think this is the reason that my nephews teeth are fine in spite of all the sweets and my ds has fillings (sweeets once a week). What do you think of giving them fluoride tablets?

Thanks for your posts guys, sorry I didn't get back to this sooner, have been laid up with a bug. I feel a lot better about it now, it's just that he is such a baby, and cries at the slightest knock, but often, it's when his bro and sis are involved so I think a lot of it is attention seeking. Perhaps at the dentist, he'll tough it out and surprise us. I'm not so worried about it now. I think those of you who said some people (including children) are succeptible to weak teeth are right. A few years back my DD (now 11) had to have some removed as unfortunately they'd decayed. No particular reason, just one of those things. Luckily they were milk teeth. She had a general anaesthetic and had an awful reaction to it, it was terrible, she went into complete hysteria. Since she's had her adult teeth she's had a clean bill of health at every dental check up. DH has dodgy teeth and he says they may inherit it from him.

Oh, about the fluoride tablets - not sure, I haven't really thought of it. We have now chucked out all the kiddie toothpaste and make them use the 'proper' stuff, so we'll see how things go.

my ds(14) had his first filling last week. it took about a minute and no injections. he was fine.

My mum was told to give my sister flouride tablets when she was at school and they actually damaged her teeth. Once the damage was done someone else told her she shouldn't have used them at all.
Not sure what the recommendations are but I would check before using them.

Make sure they don't rinse their mouths out when brushing, it is important that the flouride that is in the toothpaste stays in their mouth for as long as possible.

Don't feel bad about it. I have always brushed my teeth well, use floss and still need fillings every so often. I think some people just have weak teeth.

DS1 (3.75 yrs) had to have a very small hole filled last time, in his milk tooth. It was absolutely fine, so please don't worry.
I was totally mortified, DS's never have "sweets" just the occasional chocolate/biscuit as a treat and mostly they eat fruit and "Goodies" snacks. They only drink milk/water and (diluted)fruit juice with meals VERY occasionally. I have always been strict on brushing teeth and couldn't believe that DS1 had any sort of problem. We switched to an adult toothpaste about a year ago but the damage had been done before that, apparently. The dentist said that he was just more prone to it/had weaker teeth, and when I suggested completely cutting out sugar laughed and said not to be so cruel!

Thank you all. You've really put my mind at rest. Perhaps I'll even be able to pass on the Gin and Tonic before the appointment