Ugh! Dd (age 10) hates to go to the dentist. I started taking her at about 3 years old and she did great at going until she hit about 6ish. Then, for some unknown reason, she decided to freak about going. I made her go to a few visits after that and it just got so darn aggrivating that I didn't make any appointments and she hasn't been there in about 2 years or so. I know, BAD mom! Well, she is a decent brusher and every once in awhile I would take a good look in there to check things out. Saturday she told me that she has a molar coming in and it kind of hurt. I asked her to let me she and sure enough, there is one popping in. BUT, 2 teeth in front of that one is a little dark spot!! So she goes today for a cleaning and exam and I am sure we will be scheduled for a filling. I am dreading taking her in. She never screams and cries, but she also does not cooperate with her very well. We have been talking about it and to be honest, she didn't seem all the worried about it this morning. I told her that the easier she makes it on her, the faster it will go and the sooner it will be over. LOL Maybe I will be surprised and it will go easy today!

By Cat on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 - 08:23 am:

I wonder if it's not her fear, but maybe some influence from friends. I don't know many people that like the dentist, but do know several that hate it or are afraid. She may think she's supposed to not like it because that's what her friends say. Me? I love going to the dentist, but I'm a strange one. Also, know that the dentist is very used to having people, especially kids, that don't want to be there. My oldest has bitten two dentists in the past. Neither held it against him. Good luck.

By Vicki on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 - 08:30 am:

Oh boy, I guess I can say that she has never bitten anyone! LOL One time she just refused to open her mouth! We worked with her for a bit and then we ended up just leaving and rescheduling. LOL Just so embarrasing!!

By Karen~moderator on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 - 08:37 am:

I've been terrified of the dentist since I was a small child. I had an AWFUL first experience with the dentist, and to this day I remember it. Try to help her get over her fear. I never did, and my teeth are paying for it now.

By Debbie on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 - 08:44 am:

My ds HATED to go to the dentist. He has pretty bad gag reflux, so that was part of it. He wouldn't cooperate at all. So, on the last visit when he started crying as soon as he got in the chair, she referred him to a special pediatric dentist. They were wonderful and now he doesn't mind going at all. They specialize in dks that fear/hate the dentist. I don't know what they did, but he came out happy and smiling and said he doesn't hate the dentist anymore. Are you going to a pediatric dentist, or a regular dentist? If you talk to your current dentist, maybe they can refer you to another one that would be better for her.

By Jackie on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 - 08:47 am:

Sorry to hear this is a problem. So far my kids like going to the dentist. I started them both at 3 yrs of age as well. They go twice a year,and never hear any complaints. Maybe because they have never had any cavities, so they dont associate the dentist with pain.

By Kaye on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 - 08:50 am:

My kids go to a pd dentist too, they love him. Matter of fact the last time one had a cavity and had to go cak the other two complained they didn't get to go..LOL.

By Vicki on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 - 06:03 pm:

Well, it went much better than I expected! She was very nervous, but sat still and let the girl do a cleaning and exam and even did x-rays. Then the dentist came in and talked with her about her cavity and how he would take as much time as she needed to do the filling and he would talk to her about what he was doing every step of the way. He told her not to listen to other kids that might try to tell her that it will hurt and all of that. He told her that he would put that one tooth to sleep for it and she wouldn't feel any pain at all. He then walked out with us to set up the appointment for it and told the girl to block out lots of extra time so he could take his time with her. It is scheduled for next Wednesday and I must say that dd is feeling pretty good about it. She is nervous about it, but said that she thought he was very nice and that he would be good with her! So all and all a very good visit! Dd even wants to go back after her filling and get the sealent put on her other molars!! I am shocked, but very happy! Oh, and what is even better news is that it is only that one cavity, her other teeth are great! We were both happy about that too!

By Cocoabutter on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 - 06:08 pm:

So how'd it go?

Ds is 8 and I have never had a problem. Go figure.

BUT, I had a TERRIBLE time when he went to get his first haircut. He was 3, and I had to sit in the chair with him in my lap and hold his arms, and another gal had to hold his head still.

When he was 5, O took him to a barber shop, not the salon I always went to, and he say up straight and still the while time and not even one wimper!

By Cocoabutter on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 - 06:11 pm:

OH- we were posting at about the same time!

I am glad it went well. Her dentist sounds like a very nice man.

By Vicki on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 - 06:45 pm:

He did mention to me that if it didn't go well, he could refer us to a pediatric dentist that could give her a happy kid coctail to calm her nerves and get it filled. But, he didn't want to do that. He is a regular dentist and wants her to be at a place where she is comfortable with people she is comfortable with and is willing to take the time to make her comfortable with it. But, if all else fails, it is an option. It of course is one of her 6 year molars that the cavity is in, so it needs to be properly filled since it will be with her for her lifetime! I think she will do ok with him next week. He even mentioned to me when she couldn't hear that he could even stop halfway through and finish it another day if she couldn't tolerate it any longer. It is a pretty good sized cavity and isn't going to be done in just a couple of minutes. I am very pleased with the way he talked to her and he seems very understanding and patient.