[VinniesMommy]

I had to take CeJay to the dentist today, because last week when he went they told me that he had a cavity. Last week when we went, I was not allowed to go back with him because I had Vinnie and Scarlette with me. He was SUPER upset, but went back. Today, we went, and I had a baby-sitter, so I expected to go back with him. I talked to the asst. who said it wasn't a problem, but when we got back there, the dentist ((the only one in the building that I don't like!!)) gave me an attitude, telling me I should have stayed in the waiting room, and that I wasn't allowed in the room while the cavity was being filled. So, I sat right outside the door. About 2 minutes later, I hear him flipping out. He was super scared to go because of last time, and this time I promised him I'd be there and I wasn't allowed. It broke my heart. About 5 minutes later, the dentist opened the door and asked me to come in. I THOUGHT they were going to have me hold his hand and calm him down, but she went on to tell me that he has FIVE other cavities. This made me feel horrible. Lately when I try to brush his teeth, he puts up a huge fight, because he wants to do it himself, so I can't brush his teeth as well as I would like. The dentist then went on to make me feel horrible by asking "Do you even brush his teeth??" and when I told her that he gives me problems, she said "Well, you ARE stronger then him...."!!!!!! I was LIVID! Then she asked if I flossed his teeth, and I said no, I didn't know that I should have been, and she gave me this huge attitude saying that his teeth are really close together and there is a cavity between his 2 front teeth and now he'll probably need a crown!! WHY THE HECK WASN'T THIS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION LAST WEEK?????? He had a full dental "check-up" LAST WEEK and that dentist didn't tell me about all these cavities? They didn't ask if I flossed his teeth OR tell me that his teeth are close together, which means I had to floss his teeth?? NOTHING!! All the other dentist said was "He has one cavity in his back tooth, just make sure you or he gets the brush all the way back there, make an appt. to get it filled.". Done. Nothing else was said. NOW I have to make an appt. with his ped. for a physical because when he gets all of these teeth filled and capped he has to go to the surgery center ((right next door thank god)) and be put under!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I let him pick his prize out of the treasure chest, made the next appt., walked out the car, put him in and stood out in the rain and cried. That dentist made me feel like the worlds worst mother. Oh, and she also told him ((my son, who is scared of EVERYTHING)) that if he didn't let mommy brush his teeth, the sugar monster would come and take them away!! The poor kid was scared to death!!! I have been going to this practice for 2 years and I have never ever disliked any of the dentists there until her. And I can't switch dentists because they are the only pediatric dentists around that take my insurance.... But my experience and poor CeJay's make me never want to go there again!!! I feel so horrible now

[daddyoftwogirls]

first of all it's not your fault. It's amazing that that's a PEDIATRIC dentist. can't believe it. that's so damaging for the child's future attitude towards health care.

[mrmnmom82]

I don't force myself on my children when the brush their teeth, we just brush our teeth together. I think if you pin them down and brush their teeth they are less likely to want to brush at all. Your raising a child to become an adult and care for his own teeth, that dentist must have forgotten this, and obviously how to relate to children!

Maybe try brushing after he eats, every time he eats, but let him to it himself.

That dentist sure sounds like a piece of work. Can you request to not have her work on your son?

[VinniesMommy]

I talked to DH about it and he was SUPER mad!! He said there is no way that CeJay is going under for dental work. He said that I should call around and try to find a different dentist, even it's far away.

Oh yeah, they numbed his mouth, then when they saw all the cavities they wouldn't fill the tooth we originally went for. Poor kid got all shot up and numbed up and they didn't even do the work. I am calling Monday to complain about her. They might not care, but I'd like to have it addressed that I am NOT happy with how I was treated.

[pattiewrites]

Wow, I can't believe it was a ped. dentist either! My 6 year old had six cavities filled, all between the teeth. We do brush, but aren't great about flossing regularly. I don't think that is all there is too it. I have strong teeth and dh has weak teeth, like a lot of his family. Of our kids, two have no cavities and two have had them. They all have the exact same dental care and cleaning, so it appears genetics may be playing a role.

Oh and when my dd had her cavities filled, it was in the pediatric dentist's office. He gave me medicine that she had to drink one hour before the appointment. That, combined with gas and novicaine put her in a "twilight" sleep, so she wasn't out, but wasn't really aware of what was going on. She also had three crowns put in at the same time as the fillings. No surgery center and no being put completely out. I agree with your dh, shop around!

[FoxyLady74]

I agree with Pattie on the cavity issue. We went to the dentist not long ago and my son has problems with his teeth but not my daughter. I have never had cavities and neither has my daughter but my son has and so has my husband. The dentist said its on all their genetics not on how well you brush. I say that because some days I can be lazy and not even brush. If I was you I would shop around. Good luck.

[QueenAngie]

Oh my goodness! What an episode.

You are not a bad mother....on the contrary, I think you are a great Mom!

See if another group will take your dental insurance. Wouldn't hurt to look around.

If this particular dentist is the problem, could you request to have one of the others in the group each time?

Perhaps, investing in those little electric toothbrushes would make the teeth brushing easier. Make it a family event to floss and brush.
There is also a mouth rinse to help prevent cavities at bedtime for kids. It was one of those recent CVS deals. Crest something rinse in flavors.

Now is a good time for the entire family to get on the flossing and toothbrushing train.......put the electric tooth brushes, kid friendly toothpaste in their Christmas stocking.

[angelic_ky]

have you tried letting him brush then giving them a brush after?

[Samual]

None of us or the children have ever had a filling but I do know you are not meant to put anyone under for dental work unless there is something serious as there has been a high failure rate. But a different dentist finding different problems can happen as alot of dentists are quite lazy and decide to leave things until they are in the very last stage instead of catching something early.
When did CeJay last go to the hygienist?

[DivasMomma]

Jaecy is the same way with mommy brushing her teeth. Now I dont let that toothbrush in her hands until Im done first. She tried to complain but I just say, "Do you want to brush your own teeth? Then let Mommy do it first!" She gives in no problem.

Good luck and you know you arent a bad mom!