9 year old terrified of dentist?

Question

My nine year old son needs two teeth pulled, due to a crowded jaw. He's already had two on the top pulled. It wasn't a negative experience, however he has it in his head that needles are the end of the world.

I took him a few months ago to have the second two teeth pulled, and he was ok with the gel on his gums, but when the dentist tried to freeze his mouth, my son panicked, pushed the dentist away and nearly stabbed him with the needle.

He has had one cavity filled with no problems. I have explained the option of gas, but he thinks he will go to sleep and never wake up.

How can we have a successful return trip to the dentist? What else can I do or say to him other than dragging him there and pinning him down? I don't want to create a life-long phobia for him.

Answer 1

My daughter is the same way with needles.  When she went for her last dr. appointment, the nurse mentioned at the beginning of the visit that she was due for a vaccination (thanks nurse).  By the time they were ready to give it to her she was shrieking and sobbing. It took me and two nurses to hold her down.  I had told the nurse that it was not going to be easy but she didn't believe me.  

Is it possible to ask the dentist for a mild sedative that can be safely given to him prior to the visit?  When my daughter has outpatient surgery this summer, that is what I am going to ask for so that they can give her the IV.

Answer 2

Have you tried a pill to calm and relax him-  the dentist can prescribe this to you- I am almost 38- and still scared of the dentist- Best of Luck to you! and your son!!   =)

Answer 3

If it's that bad then he can have IV sedation - it's known as Twilight Sleep and doesn't make them unconscious, but they come around with no memory of the procedure and they also have a local anaesthetic injection into the gum as well. I think it's known as Midazolam in the UK and it works very well. Ask about this form of sedation.

You don't want to bother with gas. It's outmoded and a lot of dentists won't do it due to safety issues. I don't even think they use it in the UK anymore. I was gassed when I was a kid and it wasn't a pleasant experience.

Answer 4

it might just be that dentist.  have you tried a different one.  my son hated going to the dentist until i found a really good kids dentist.  now he actually likes it.

Answer 5

If he is afraid he will never wake up with gas do not give it to him. Let him make some of the choices that he can make. Let him be a big boy. For instance let him tell the Dr he chose for a shot VS the gas. To calm him have him take a favorite toy or game or something that is small of importance to him. A nurse once said if someone thinks they will die during a certain procedure they usually do.

Answer 6

This is a hard one. My daughter is also terrified. She did agree to put to sleep though. Try finding books at the library about the dentist. Good luck I am really am not sure. Also try asking the Dentist ot his Doctor for advice. I am sure he is not the only one.

Answer 7

My 6 y/o had the same problem and she had to go to the "clown nose" (the doctor had a clown nose attached to the nitrous mask). You need to reassure him that the gas will only relax him and make him drowsy and will not put him out. Also, let him know that there has to be a special doctor (an anestethiologist) present to put a person under and that a dentist can only make you sleepy.

Talk to the dentist ahead of time about discussing the procedure with your son. He may feel better hearing from the

main source of knowledge.

Answer 8

i have the same story with my 9 yr old!!!  I've had to take my child to a special kid dentist and they have had to put her under anesthetia twice to fix bad teeth!!!  I know the situation ur going through!  my child did real well a couple months ago when I took her to a reg dentist, except she would not allow xrays to be taken!!  but she made it through the visit!  good luck to you!!  :)