8 year old having teeth out (due to medical condition)

[ContentedSpirit1992]

My DD (8) is due to have 3 teeth out on Friday the 27th of May and she is very anxious about the injection/s. We've talked endlessly about how it will feel, how quick it is, how much better she is going to feel afterwards etc. We're even planning a going away party for the poorly teeth (we'd suggested doing something once she had them out, to celebrate. Going away party is her own idea. Tooth shaped bunting is underway as we speak!) To celebrate her having them out (this has been years in the making.) She was born with amelogenesis imperfecta (just as i was) and was diagnosed with it aged about 2.5. She also has a terrible family history of dental conditions on both our sides. She doesn't have fizzy drinks, she loves water and milk, we brush twice a day on weekdays, between meals too on weekends. We're very clued up on food swaps etc too. It really has affected her self image terribly over the years. It's been absolutely heart-breaking. She finally got the news we'd fought and had to wait (rightly so) so long for. All of a sudden she began smiling with her teeth, taking "teethy" selfies, talking to her mates and anyone who'd listen at school, that she was "finally getting rid of the poorly ones". We had an appointment to get them out recently, but it couldn't go ahead because she just couldn't cope with the fear of the injection. The dentist pushed it back a bit but still wants them out asap really (one is obstructing an adult tooth and the adult tooth's root is through her gum now.) We just don't know how to get her through the actual injections. I'm learning all i can to help her through this, whilst having my own dental anxiety (she has no clue of this of course) Dad is going to be there too and he is very calm in damn near every possible situation. (As am I on the surface, but i know kids sense our emotions, i'm working on myself at this time too.) He's always been amazing at dealing with any injuries etc. he's also been at every possible appointment throughout their lives. I'd love to arm her with some techniques/thoughts/tools to go through with it this time. She is so desperate to have them out, my heart hurt so when it couldn't go ahead before, she was in such pain from them (breaking and cutting her lower lip, toothaches, ulcers etc.) Please if you have any advice for a mum doing her best, it'd be much, much appreciated.

Thanks for reading x Liz

Is there any option for CBT around needle phobia?

Will it be done at the dentist or the hospital?

Can your dentist or GP suggest anything, like a play therapist?

Is there any option for sedation?

Can they sedate her?

I’d go practical with my DD… dull all the senses! Does she know they use a numbing gel first? If it’s the sight of the needles, take her out shopping to get some really dark sunglasses to wear, take a favourite tactical toy or get a specifically bought for purpose squishy toy which she can pummel the hell out of during the procedure. Teach her that her brain can be tricked: if there’s an injection going in on the right side of the body, tap or pinch (gently!) on the left…the brain has to share its response to the mirrored stimuli and makes it harder to “feel”. Get her favourite icecream in for afterwards. Good luck OP!

Thanks so much for your reply. Yeah, thankfully we've been very transparent (without being dramatic) about the procedure and She's not worried about the actual removals. Just the injection. Dark sunglasses and a toy sound fab. Unfortunately they've got supply issues with the numbing gel right now 😔 I don't suppose you've any suggestions for effective numbing gel / taking heels which might help? Such a shame orajel is not for her age group. Did wonders when I had my wisdom teeth coming in! I so wish I could just go through the injection for her to help her get this out of the way. Fingers crossed all goes ahead this time 😣

Only if she can't get them out this way. But they've said it's much better for the child if they get the injection instead. If she doesn't go through with it this time we'll be referred to the hospital (not a nice experience particularly or dentist has told us) which may take 12-18 more months. I guess we'll see!

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They're doing it at the dentist so sedation isn't offered here. They can refer her on to our local hospital for the removals, but they've warned it's much nicer having them put at the dentist. They're a lovely team, but it's the needle freaking her out. I just can't bear the thought of this having to be done under general and traumatising her.

Is a dentist who uses the wand an option? I'm a dental injection refuser (not phobic, just do not do dental pain!) And I use a dentist who uses the wand method.
If not, personally regardless of the dentists opinion, I'd let her have sedation. It'll be so much less terrifying.