GainesvilleMoms.com

My daughter is 3 years old and she has her first dentist appointment tomorrow. She is going to a new dentist because the one we regulary use, even for my teens, does not see children under 8. I called tons,(literally), of dentists from my area here in Chiefland to Gainesville and finally found one that was very open and said I would be allowed to go back in the room with my daughter during the appointment. He was also recommended by a friend of mine from church that has two daughters that see him. The problem is that for some reason, I don't know why, my daughter doesn't want to go. We haven't made a big deal out of this and she has never seen or heard of a bad dentist experience, but everytime she hears me mention it she says,"remember mommy, I don't want to go to the dentist".

Any advice? Did anyone elses kids have trouble with the dentist?

I feel for you girl. I know I am to blame for Macy not going to the dentist yet and she is 3 1/2 now. I know, BAD MOMMY! Thing is, she gets so upset and worked up over going to the Dr's office even when it isn't for her that I am not sure I can keep it together enough for her when it comes to the Dentist. Reason being, I HATE dentists. I was slapped across the face by my dentist when I was in elementary school and then he physically forced my mouth open to the point I had tears along the sides of my mouth. Not exactly what forms a good Dr-patient relationship!! I know they are not all like that and the pediatric dentists are more patient and tolerant of kids because they know the fear is there. My issue is if I can't relax and assure her the visit will go well, how can I expect her to be okay with it? We brush her teeth and have since she got them in and I know there is more to be done, but I am dreading this milestone more than anything.

I will be interested to see what comfort others can give - and sorry I am no help here!

Thats okay Michelle...I don't like the dentist myself but have always been sure never to talk about it in front of any of my kids. My two teens are great with it. They even like going because of how good their teeth feel after he cleans them! They are 15 and 16 and only one of them has ever had a cavity and even when he filled it she had a good experience. I was worried at the time that it might bother her but it never did.

Im watching for some good advice to pop up, too. My 3 year old is terrified of the dentist as well, and nothing will calm her of her fears. Nothing!

That is so strange for them to fear the dentist with no valid reason. I don't know but her appointment is TOMORROW!! I know someone out there has some good tips....

Good luck with your appointment! My Son goes to the same dentist as my husband. My husband gets his teeth cleaned and my son watches-he LOVES to watch-gross! After my husband is done, it is my son's turn! So far,he has been 3 times, he loves the whole experience. The office is set up very cute for kids and they give out all kinds of cute toys/brushes/floss/tooth paste. The dentist also has three small children and has a great way with kids. He has been over to our house for play dates, that may make it a bit more relaxing for my son as well.

I am TERRIFIED of the dentist, and needles!! However, I knew it was time my 3 year old needed to go to the dentist, plus our ped told us to take him. Anyway, we didn't make a big deal of it we just told our son that he needed to go to the dentist, his ped also told him that the dentist would clean his teeth and make them all shiney. Which was good b/c Hunter absolutely loves his ped and will do anything she says.

We go to Dr. Mixon in Haile it's called Kid's Only Dental Place. They are absolutetly wonderful!!! They even calmed my nerves when we went for his first appt. They are very kid friendly everything is geared toward kids. Hunter is now 5 and loves going to the dentist. There are a few books about going to the dentist that help as well. But I really think that as long as you don't make a big deal out of it the atmosphere of the office you go to will help the child cope. Dr. Mixon's office is all about talking to the children first and not the parents as to engage the kids and make them feel important they always talk with the parents as well but try to talk mostly to the kids.

GOODLUCK!!

I hope everything is goes well today for you Karen! I am also thinking about making an appointment for my daughter soon. She is 2.5, but I know I need to start doing my research to find a good dentist for her.

I think I am going to try to make myself an appointment (I am due, anyway), and let her come and watch. Hopefully, if she is at all nervous, it will help her to watch mommy. I hope it doesn't make matters worse!

Let us know how the appointment goes!

I recently took my boys to the dentist, and all three of them were cleaned at the same time and I was able to be with them. I never made a big deal of it and told them that they would make their teeth clean and take the "cavity monsters" off. They all did really well. But I am probably the odd duck because I like going to the dentist, so maybe they see that. Have you tried checking a book out at the library so he knows what to expect?

When Jo. was little, my husband and I would take her with us to the dentist. The hygienist was really great, and would have her sit in the chair after we were finished. Then the hygienist have Jo. show her how she could brush her teeth and give her a toothbrush. She'd then show her the "sucker" thing, the "water squirter" wand, the mirror and such. Then she'd give her some Princess flossers. My daughter was never scared about going, and we did the same thing with my son. He's a little more cautious, but the hygienist is good about taking time to make him comfortable and letting him hold my hand.

She did great!! The dentist and the hygenist were awesome with her. I did have a Dora dentist visit book and that helped allot too. I was so proud of her. We even went ahead and made another appointment for April for another cleaning!

Thanks everyone!

YAY!!! I am so glad she was fine, maybe I should stop being such a chicken and make an appt for Macy now. I never thought about finding a book to help with that but I guess they have them for everything else so why not?

Great job Mom!

What a relief!

When I took my 3 1/2 year old last month, I was worried how he would do. Not that I thought he would be scared, but because he is incredibly ticklish and I can't even brush his teeth for him. He did great! Having good dental hygienists helps a lot, too.

Glad to hear it Karen!!