Dental work and 5 year old

Hi everyone. My 5 year old daughter is having dental work done on the
19th. She will be administered nytris oxcid (sp?), and no food nor
drink before hand. She doesn't know yet, but she will be having 2
teeth pulled. Should I tell her?!?! She is so afraid of the dentist
that it gets to be embarrasing when we take her. Flailing about,
screaming, shrieking! Plus having these 2 teeth pulled is olny the tip
of the iceburg. She has 2 abcesses, and numerous other problems. What
went wrong? She brushes her teeth, doesn't drink soda, etc.

Ok...so my question is this...Do we tell her beforehand, or wait until
it's over. Tell "Oh wow, those 2 teeth were so bad that the doctor had
to pull them out so you don't get sick. I really dread telling her,
she will have a fit!

Brandy

I agree with this and Nan's advice. I just wanted to add this...

be careful about your reactions. In other words, don't show your concern or
distress. Even facial expressions can undermine verbal expression. Handle
this matter-of-factly and treat it as something usual and normal that
everyone has done. If you show any concern or apprehension your daughter
will quickly pick up on this.

Also, tell your daughter that she can put the teeth under her pillow for the
tooth fairy. Then you could go on to talk about the tooth fairy to kind of
take her fears away.

Good luck to you and your daughter.
Mary E.

"toypup" wrote in message
news:I3vZa.115102$YN5.78350@sccrnsc01...

"Brandy Kurtz" wrote in message
om...
Hi everyone. My 5 year old daughter is having dental work done on the
19th. She will be administered nytris oxcid (sp?), and no food nor
drink before hand. She doesn't know yet, but she will be having 2
teeth pulled. Should I tell her?!?! She is so afraid of the dentist
that it gets to be embarrasing when we take her. Flailing about,
screaming, shrieking! Plus having these 2 teeth pulled is olny the tip
of the iceburg. She has 2 abcesses, and numerous other problems. What
went wrong? She brushes her teeth, doesn't drink soda, etc.

Ok...so my question is this...Do we tell her beforehand, or wait until
it's over. Tell "Oh wow, those 2 teeth were so bad that the doctor had
to pull them out so you don't get sick. I really dread telling her,
she will have a fit!

I had a lot of dental work done as a child. They used the gas. My mom
didn't tell me, but I'd rather she did. I think you can tell her without
the details the morning of the appointment. If she asks questions, then
you
can answer them as she asks.

In article ,
(Brandy Kurtz) wrote:

Hi everyone. My 5 year old daughter is having dental work done on the
19th. She will be administered nytris oxcid (sp?), and no food nor
drink before hand. She doesn't know yet, but she will be having 2
teeth pulled. Should I tell her?!?! She is so afraid of the dentist
that it gets to be embarrasing when we take her. Flailing about,
screaming, shrieking! Plus having these 2 teeth pulled is olny the tip
of the iceburg. She has 2 abcesses, and numerous other problems. What
went wrong? She brushes her teeth, doesn't drink soda, etc.

Ok...so my question is this...Do we tell her beforehand, or wait until
it's over. Tell "Oh wow, those 2 teeth were so bad that the doctor had
to pull them out so you don't get sick. I really dread telling her,
she will have a fit!

Brandy

At 5, she might be old enough to ask HER. She must know that she still
has to see the dentist sometimes. Ask her if she wants to know way in
advance, or would she rather not know until that day. Ask her if she
wants to know in advance what the dentist will be doing, or if she'd
rather not have to worry about it in advance.

She might NOT be old enough to think about this and make a decision --
some kids can at this age, some can't -- but you could offer her the
choice and see if she makes a decision or if she just gets aggitated at
being asked.

In the absence of direction from her, I'd make sure to tell her, but
calmly and with no drama, and not TOO far in advance.

meh
--
Children won't care how much you know until they know how much you care

maybe you could give her something to look forward to after - like a visit
to nannas or a new book or something? that helps that sort of stuff in our
house

c
"Brandy Kurtz" wrote in message
om...
Hi everyone. My 5 year old daughter is having dental work done on the
19th. She will be administered nytris oxcid (sp?), and no food nor
drink before hand. She doesn't know yet, but she will be having 2
teeth pulled. Should I tell her?!?! She is so afraid of the dentist
that it gets to be embarrasing when we take her. Flailing about,
screaming, shrieking! Plus having these 2 teeth pulled is olny the tip
of the iceburg. She has 2 abcesses, and numerous other problems. What
went wrong? She brushes her teeth, doesn't drink soda, etc.

Ok...so my question is this...Do we tell her beforehand, or wait until
it's over. Tell "Oh wow, those 2 teeth were so bad that the doctor had
to pull them out so you don't get sick. I really dread telling her,
she will have a fit!

Brandy

On 10 Aug 2003 09:22:17 -0700, (Brandy Kurtz)
wrote:

Ok...so my question is this...Do we tell her beforehand, or wait until
it's over. Tell "Oh wow, those 2 teeth were so bad that the doctor had
to pull them out so you don't get sick. I really dread telling her,
she will have a fit!

I understand why you would like to wait. However, if I was your
daughter and you waited until after, I would feel betrayed by you. I
clearly remember times when my mother decided not to tell me until
after. I remember how I felt -- lousy and like I didn't really trust
her.

I don't know if your child will feel the same. If it was me, I would
just tell her.

--
Daye
Momma to Jayan
EDD 11 Jan 2004

Brandy Kurtz wrote:

Hi everyone. My 5 year old daughter is having dental work done on the
19th. She will be administered nytris oxcid (sp?), and no food nor
drink before hand. She doesn't know yet, but she will be having 2
teeth pulled. Should I tell her?!?! She is so afraid of the dentist
that it gets to be embarrasing when we take her. Flailing about,
screaming, shrieking! Plus having these 2 teeth pulled is olny the tip
of the iceburg. She has 2 abcesses, and numerous other problems. What
went wrong? She brushes her teeth, doesn't drink soda, etc.

Ok...so my question is this...Do we tell her beforehand, or wait until
it's over. Tell "Oh wow, those 2 teeth were so bad that the doctor had
to pull them out so you don't get sick. I really dread telling her,
she will have a fit!

Brandy

I would tell her as well. Tell her what needs to be done (teeth pulled)
and how it will be done. Nan had it right - try to be as reassuring as
possible so she doesn't panic. If she does, ask her about her fears and
see where it takes you.

Jeanne

I know its expensive, but can you go for a clean before hand and let her
watch......let her know, mum isnt afraid, and the dentist is careful not to
hurt.........and she will see things being used that she see's mum is ok
with.
I would use a cleaning of your teach as a lesson for her.

Fiona

"Brandy Kurtz" wrote in message
om...
Hi everyone. My 5 year old daughter is having dental work done on the
19th. She will be administered nytris oxcid (sp?), and no food nor
drink before hand. She doesn't know yet, but she will be having 2
teeth pulled. Should I tell her?!?! She is so afraid of the dentist
that it gets to be embarrasing when we take her. Flailing about,
screaming, shrieking! Plus having these 2 teeth pulled is olny the tip
of the iceburg. She has 2 abcesses, and numerous other problems. What
went wrong? She brushes her teeth, doesn't drink soda, etc.

Ok...so my question is this...Do we tell her beforehand, or wait until
it's over. Tell "Oh wow, those 2 teeth were so bad that the doctor had
to pull them out so you don't get sick. I really dread telling her,
she will have a fit!

Brandy

Well I am going to follow advice and tell her about the teeth being
pulled. So that I can answer her honestly, will it hurt afterwards? I
will tell her like it is no big deal, and without emotions. The
toothfairy idea was awesome! She will really love that. I even have dh
taking off work so he can go too. I don't know who needs more support,
me or her...lol! Thank you all very much for your replies! They were
appreciated.

Brandy

P.S. I am not seeing Nan's posts at all, what is going on with msn?

On 12 Aug 2003 22:49:16 -0700, (Brandy Kurtz)
wrote:

So that I can answer her honestly, will it hurt afterwards?

Yes, it will. I had many teeth pulled by the dentist as a kid. They
were pulled in an effort to make more room, and I also had a retainer.
Let's just say that it didn't work.

Anyway, back to the pain, yes, it will hurt once the novocaine wears
off. The dentist will tell you how to deal with the pain, and what
foods she can eat. It hurts, but only for a day or two at most.

--
Daye
Momma to Jayan
EDD 11 Jan 2004

Yes Tylenol or Motrin should help with the pain, if there is any. I had
eight teeth pulled at different times of my life and I didn't have much
pain. I did with my wisdom teeth, but that was a whole nother ballgame.
--
Sue
mom to three girls

Brandy Kurtz wrote in message
om...
Daye wrote in message
. ..
On 12 Aug 2003 22:49:16 -0700, (Brandy Kurtz)
wrote:

So that I can answer her honestly, will it hurt afterwards?

Yes, it will. I had many teeth pulled by the dentist as a kid. They
were pulled in an effort to make more room, and I also had a retainer.
Let's just say that it didn't work.

Anyway, back to the pain, yes, it will hurt once the novocaine wears
off. The dentist will tell you how to deal with the pain, and what
foods she can eat. It hurts, but only for a day or two at most.

Ok, thanks. Should I get her soft foods to eat then too? I didn't even
think about her not being able to chew! Will tylenol/motrin help with
the pain?

Brandy