Pure Parents

Question:

> Does anyone else have any suggestions?  We’ve tried all types of > consoling, talking, comforting, etc., but it all didn’t work.

The first time my nephew had his teeth cleaned, he was about 4, I think. He had been to the dentist with his mother before and watched her have her teeth cleaned.  The time that she made his first appointment, she also had an appointment for herself and let him watch, and then it was his turn. He wouldn’t get in the chair, but the hygienist was very patient.  She coaxed him into letting her show him how the cleaner worked on his fingernail!  He popped one finger out of his pocket and she cleaned it with the tooth cleaner.  then he let her do another and another until all ten finger nails were done.  Then she convinced him to let her clean just one tooth to see how he liked it.  It worked!  He did the whole checkup with no tears–and this kid is a pretty emotional kid, too.  I’m sure it took a long time, but maybe this is something your hygienist could try. You also might want to take him to a dentist that specializes in young children and fearful patients.  Its never a good idea to force a kid into the dentist chair–they’ll be terrified for life–like me! Kelly  >

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >My 3yr old son had his visit for his first cleaning today.  It took >my wife, 6 yr old daughter, dentist and his hygenist 20 minutes just >to get him into the chair.  Once there, they couldn’t get him to >open his mouth at all.  The dentist’s recommendation would be to try >gas the next time he is in. >He has had other visits to the dentist before, but they were when >myself, my wife or daughter were getting a regular cleaning.  He >would stand beside the chair and let the dentist look in his mouth. >The only thing that has happened to him recently was around 1 year >ago he had to have 3 teeth removed by another dentist.  Even though >the procedure took less than 5 minutes, it was painful for the >little guy.   >Does anyone else have any suggestions?  We’ve tried all types of >consoling, talking, comforting, etc., but it all didn’t work. >Dear Steve,

        We had a similar problem with our daughter.  When she was 3 years old she only let the dentist count her teeth.  At 3& 1/2 we tried to have them cleaned but again she would only let him count them.  We tried again when she turned 4 and she finally let the hygenist clean her teeth.  The entire time I held her hand and told her how great she was doing and that it wouldn’t hurt.  I’m curious why your child had teeth pulled. Thanks & good parenting, Terri ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> <>< ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>

and                 http://www.kd3bj.ampr.org/~russ/wenner.html     <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< ><> <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><            

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >writes: >My 3yr old son had his visit for his first cleaning today.  It took >my wife, 6 yr old daughter, dentist and his hygenist 20 minutes just >to get him into the chair.  Once there, they couldn’t get him to >open his mouth at all.  The dentist’s recommendation would be to try >gas the next time he is in. >He has had other visits to the dentist before, but they were when >myself, my wife or daughter were getting a regular cleaning.  He >would stand beside the chair and let the dentist look in his mouth. >The only thing that has happened to him recently was around 1 year >ago he had to have 3 teeth removed by another dentist.  Even though >the procedure took less than 5 minutes, it was painful for the >little guy.   >Does anyone else have any suggestions?  We’ve tried all types of >consoling, talking, comforting, etc., but it all didn’t work.

Hi.  When mine were that age we did go to a pediatric dentist.  They are typically better prepared to play the little games that make the children relax. Also, we used to sit in the chair and put our little ones on our lap. That really seemed to make them feel more secure. Sure hope this helps! Gail

Response:

ok, as a dental hygienist who has worked in a practice FULL of kids, I have to say I’m angry.  There is NO reason to FORCE a child of that age to have a prophy.  At age three, in these days, there is very little to be cleaned professionally (if anything) that cannot be brushed off.  As for doing an exam for caries, that should be done very casually, maybe out iof the chair, as in the times you mentioned when it was during (your?) appt.  The most important thing at this age is to establish TRUST between the child and the dentist/hygienist.  In these years of fluoridation of city water, and parental awareness of dental hygiene, ther4e are very few situations in which a 3yr old hAS caries.  On the other hand, if a hygienist or dentist establishes a good relationship[ with a child, then there will probasbly be a lifetime of dental health ahead for that child as opposed to the irrational fear that I so often encountered among patients who had let dental problems reach a crisis before coming for help.  My point is, make sure that the RELATIONSHIP is the priority of the person examining your son at this young age – it doesn’t sound like that has been the case – make it clear that that it your goal for the appt. that day. – I used to always schedule a "fun" visit (at no or a nominal charge) before I ever did anyt real work on a child.  This consisted of things like letting them play with the water jet, suction, mirror, and if they trusted me, I woulkd "count" their teeth…then the next time they came in was ALWAYS better than it would havwe been.  Good luck and let us Know…

Response:

>My 3yr old son had his visit for his first cleaning today.  It took >my wife, 6 yr old daughter, dentist and his hygenist 20 minutes just >to get him into the chair.  Once there, they couldn’t get him to >open his mouth at all.  The dentist’s recommendation would be to try >gas the next time he is in.

I will ask my pediatrician in our next visit, but please tell me how soon do children have to have their regular teeth cleaning at the dentist?  I may be wrong, but isn’t 3 year old a little too early? .. >The only thing that has happened to him recently was around 1 year >ago he had to have 3 teeth removed by another dentist.  Even though >the procedure took less than 5 minutes, it was painful for the >little guy.  

Are you talking about your 3 year old boy here?  3 teeth removed when he was 2 years old?   — Huey

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->My 3yr old son had his visit for his first cleaning today.  It took >my wife, 6 yr old daughter, dentist and his hygenist 20 minutes just >to get him into the chair.  Once there, they couldn’t get him to >open his mouth at all.  The dentist’s recommendation would be to try >gas the next time he is in. >He has had other visits to the dentist before, but they were when >myself, my wife or daughter were getting a regular cleaning.  He >would stand beside the chair and let the dentist look in his mouth. >The only thing that has happened to him recently was around 1 year >ago he had to have 3 teeth removed by another dentist.  Even though >the procedure took less than 5 minutes, it was painful for the >little guy.   >Does anyone else have any suggestions?  We’ve tried all types of >consoling, talking, comforting, etc., but it all didn’t work.

Did you try giving him a mirror so that he can count his teeth with the dentist? Maybe a stuffed animal, or favorite toy would help. Have him bring that toy for a checkup.  I am sure that the past experience made quite an impression on him-obviously not a good one! Good luck.

Response:

My 3yr old son had his visit for his first cleaning today.  It took my wife, 6 yr old daughter, dentist and his hygenist 20 minutes just to get him into the chair.  Once there, they couldn’t get him to open his mouth at all.  The dentist’s recommendation would be to try gas the next time he is in. He has had other visits to the dentist before, but they were when myself, my wife or daughter were getting a regular cleaning.  He would stand beside the chair and let the dentist look in his mouth. The only thing that has happened to him recently was around 1 year ago he had to have 3 teeth removed by another dentist.  Even though the procedure took less than 5 minutes, it was painful for the little guy.   Does anyone else have any suggestions?  We’ve tried all types of consoling, talking, comforting, etc., but it all didn’t work.

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