My 14 month old son chipped his two front teeth about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I took him to the dentist yesterday, for the first time, and they took x-rays and examined him. He was hysterical the whole time. There was no damage but they need to be filed down because they keep cutting his lip. The dentist wants to give him nitrous oxide to sedate him while she does the work. I understand why she wants to do this and am inclined to say yes. But, I wanted to know if anybody has had ANY experience with nitrous oxide (good or bad) with a child this young. She is also planning on using a papoose board, where they will strap him in. I've very nervous about this. She also wants to clean his teeth while he is sedated. Is this necessary at 14 months or is she just trying to make money? Any input is greatly appreciated!
Thank you in advance for all your advice!!!!!
Well I took the advice to heart and called a couple of the referrals you gave me for second opinions. I was pleasantly surprised that all the dentists were appalled that they were going to restrain him and use nitrous oxide. We ended up taking him to Dr. Beam (Kids World Children's Dentistry) in Riverside. It was a long drive for us both totally worth it. My son sat in my lap and Dr. Beam used a polisher to file down the rough edges. He didn't cry at all just fussed a little bit. We were so impressed with Dr. Beam and his staff and will definitely be going back in the future. The only down side was he doesn't treat adults (ha ha).
Thank you mommies for your advice.
my kids have the best dentist in the world. Kids World in Riverside, Dr. Beam is wonderful! My kids love to go to there. Trust me my 18 month old just had his 1st check up last wk. and my 8 and 10 yr. old girls would go everyday if I would take them. Call them for advice they are the best
im not sure about the whole sedating thing because i have never have had to do that. but i took my daughter to her dentist and 14 months old and she examined her teeth and gently cleaned any plaque off of them. i would go ahead and let him clean your babies teeth it wont hurt anything.
If you want a second opinion, I have a fantastic Pediatric Dentist who uses the newest technology in treating kids that is available. I love them. My daughter is 4 and loves going to the dentist. It is like walking into a Cartoon world and everything is geared to kids. The office is in Long Beach. It is
Dr. Robert Stella
2700 North Bellflower Boulevard(right off the 405 freeway)
Long Beach, CA
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If you were talking about a much needed root canal or any other dental procedure that is painful if not sedated and that must be done, I'd say, go for it if there aren't any other options. But to file down a tooth or two? The process is so quick and painless. My worry would be that he would go through so much for so little. He is young but why not let him sit in your lap? I know, he may wiggle like crazy and or keep his mouth shut. So, maybe I'm dreaming here, but I think I would at the least, call around and get a second and third opinion on how other dentists would handle it. If they all say the same thing then I guess you have no choice, but maybe you'll find someone with a trick up their sleeve or something. On the cleaning of the teeth, she may as well do it while she is already in there, it only takes a few moments. He isn't too young for that, it's nice to get the tartar build up removed. We've been going every 6mos since 6mos of age.
Please let us know how it goes.
M.
the dentist probably wants to use nitrous oxide for the procedure. it is not so much sedation as it is relaxation. he will actually be awake the whole time. 14 months is not too early for this procedure and she probably wants to get the cleaning in at the same time so that there isn't an additional office visit, with additional office charge and additional time to administer nitrous oxide. dentists, like doctors, work under similar codes of ethics when it comes to the right to do no harm and unnecessary treatments. if you have insurance, the cost is the same to you because most insurances cover preventive things such as cleanings and check-ups.
it's funny how many people visit the doctor for check-ups when nothing is particularly wrong (all the well baby check-ups we go to, for example) but when it comes to the dentist, they only go if there is a problem.
and btw, one of my children was nervous about the dentist and they used nitrous oxide. it wears off very quickly (within minutes) before she even got out of the chair. are you taking him to a pediatric dentist? while there are several family dentists that are good, pediatric dentists sometimes make a world of difference. and you want to use one who doesn't use any kind of restraints on children.
