Tooth extraction - child

My 8 year old has to get a baby tooth pulled....and he is not fearful of the dentist....But is about getting this tooth pulled.
not sure if he should get a shot of Novocaine, or use nitrous. ...
it would be his first time getting a shot of novocaine....and lets be honest I hate that shot ccoming for my mouth...lol

josepcan josepcan
Apr '15

I have problems with dentistry because of extractions of baby teeth done with Nitrous. I have anxiety when I visit my dentist (and he's fantastic about pain and very genial) from past experience.

Novicaine is a pinch, but it's also a numbing agent. Nitrous just made me giggly and I felt all of the pain.

btownguy btownguy
Apr '15

Why don't you ask the dentist what anesthesia he or she plans on using and see what he or she says?

3wbdwnj 3wbdwnj
Apr '15

Hi! I'm an Orthodontic assistant, But I have worked general. I would not go with giggle gas for an extraction. It doesn't make you numb. :) Only makes you feel light and less anxious. Hope he has a good appointment!

Alisha
Apr '15

I have the biggest fear of dental work, but my dentist has a gel that he puts on my gum before the novocaine shot so there isn't even a pinch, I feel nothing! I would see if that is an option for your son.

Kat88
Apr '15

our dentist is open to whatever we decide.....spoke her about all options. I am just trying to make it less scary for him.....

josepcan josepcan
Apr '15

With most kids I've known, if the parent doesn't make a big deal out of things the kid won't either. Just a thought.

Calico696 Calico696
Apr '15

I had an exceptional dentist as a kid that was very sensitive to kids worries. The first thing he always did was say to close your eyes. Too many kids get jumpy just at the sight of the needle. To this day, I still close my eyes the whole time. I don't like the bright lights anyway. The dentist also always said that the slightest sign of feeling anything, to raise my arm and he'd stop immediately. That way it felt like I was in control and I could call the whole thing off at anytime I wanted.

Any dentist will have pre-injection gel, that's a good idea to make sure he uses that since this would be the first time. It's a good idea to talk about "pinch" instead of saying how it hurts. That's accurate without being so scary. Then let him know the shot takes the rest of the hurt away.

That and just how skillful the dentist was got me through stuff as a kid. I can also remember going the first time it wasn't even a regular visit. I just tagged along with my brother and the dentist just wanted to say hello so he knew my name. I got to sit in the chair if I wanted to, my choice, but no exam.


Re: Tooth extraction - child

Rent "Marathon Man" the night before and watch it with your son. That should do the trick...

ianimal ianimal
Apr '15

call My children dentist in Washington.
http://www.dysondds.com/office_info.html
They have a laser machine, with this, he can fix cavities without a shot....


I don't know if it works for extractions also, but worth checking. I think it will be fine for a baby tooth.

BrownEyesGuy BrownEyesGuy
Apr '15

Whatever you choose, please tell your child it's no big deal, pretty cool, they get a dollar from the tooth fairy, etc. Tell them its neat to watch while the dentist does it. So many times parents feed the anxiety without realizing it.

By the way, my father, who walked miles to school without shoes, really did use the string method to pull loose baby teeth. No recollection of pain. Something to consider :)


I don't care how much you tell your kid it's no big deal...it's a big deal to them.

I have hated the dentist since I was little. I still hate the dentist and freak out every single time I go. It doesn't matter if it's a cleaning or a root canal. You can't say anything that would ease my nerves.

For me it has NOTHING to do with the pain. It has to do with the smells, sounds, and the taste of the crap. I start sweating and tearing up the second I walk in the office. Luckily, I have found a dentist that deals with people like me.

I don't care what any of you say..... I feel for this kid (HAHA). Nothing is neat about watching the dentist come at you with needles and that damn silver pick.

You can get both!! Get the gas before the Novocaine

Nosila Nosila
Apr '15

I had to have a baby tooth pulled when I was about 8 years old. I think (It's been 40 years, so don't remember exactly) he used the numbing gel and a shot of Novocain. Then the dentist just tapped on the tooth a few times and we all laughed as it shot across the room and hit the wall. I don't remember if we found the tooth or if I got my money from the tooth fairy. I needed the tooth pulled because it was blocking the permanent tooth from coming in. The dentist later threatened to cut a hole in my gum since the tooth was not coming in even after the extraction. That was enough to scare the tooth into coming down, lol.

You might want to tell your son, the numbing shot will also make him feel like he has a fat lip. Not to scare him, of course, but I think it helps to know everything to expect so it's not as scary. I'm sure the dentist will do this, mine talks through every step before he does it. I'm a dental work veteran, I've had wisdom teeth pulled with just Novocain, root canals, crowns, fillings - I just tell the dentist, yeah, I know the drill, haha.

Lynnada Lynnada
Apr '15

"I have hated the dentist since I was little."

As a kid I absolutely *hated* the fluoride trays.

As an adult I absolutely *hate* the gritty polish - not too bad until they do the inside of the back teeth and stuff starts hitting my tongue which makes me gag.

Everything else doesn't really bother me. If I need to get numbed, the gel is used before the injection and I don't even feel the needle. The worst part about that is the numbness tends to peak well after the procedure and it's all too easy to bite your cheek or tongue and it's weird to swallow when you can't feel your tongue.

Mark Mc. Mark Mc.
Apr '15

Mark Mc- I agree that polish makes me sick....I actually may hate cleaning more than drilling.

Nosila Nosila
Apr '15

I agree that a less anxious parent = a less anxious child!
Most dentists that work with children are able to walk them through the procedures with ease. They have done it countless times :) Given the fact that it is a baby tooth, it should be relatively simple and over before you know it. I think the nitrous might be your best bet since he wouldn't need the shot and he wouldn't have to deal with the after effects. Good luck!


Working in both general and orthodontics for more then 20 years, I have never heard of a doctor just using nitrous to extract a tooth. They usually use the nitrous first, to calm the patient, then use a topical and a then the novicane. I would double check with your dentist. The nitrous does not numb, even baby teeth have nerves. I would think it would still hurt your son with out novicane.

Cherie Cherie
Apr '15

Re: Tooth extraction - child

I prefer to know NOTHING!!! I dont want to know anything or see anything. My dentist knows not to have the tools out for me to see until I'm in the chair and then they are set up behind me.

I had to go to a specialist for a root canal.....and forgot that my Dentist is awesome and just knows me and knows the routine. Well i walked into the specialist and ALLLLLL the tools were out for me to see. I started sweating, shaking, tearing up.

So dont just think that for some the dentist is no big deal bc it is for some.

I tell all my friends who have kids to make sure they find the best dentist who has a personality. My fear started when I was younger bc I had an idiot for a dentist that had a personality that would have only clicked with dead people.

Nosila Nosila
Apr '15

Dentists today don't actually use Novocaine any more. It's been a while since the drug has been used due to allergies.
They use Lidocaine now.

A small injection of that first to numb the gum is usually used first. After a few minutes, then a full set of injections is finally used to further direct the lidocaine to the nerve ending, and the adjacent area's.

Sucking on ice before the first injection helps also. The ice itself will numb the first prick with the syringe.

Embryodad Embryodad
Apr '15

Oh Nosila you just explained my childhood experience with a dentist and my adulthood experience to a "T" !

I literally have a huge problem going!

Teenie
Apr '15

I've been going to the same dentist family first father now son over 40 years and still despise going and have told both of them on numerous times. Over the last eight years the son as prescribed 2 Valium before my appointment and let tell you I would not care if they cut my fingers off when that stuff kicks in and ask the dentist if he can prescribe a small dose Valium for your child believe me he will not mind going to the dentist at all

oldred
Apr '15

There are no lasting side effects when it comes to using nitrous oxide if it is administered properly (it just relaxes you). Lidocaine and Novocaine are just numbing agents, but will last about 40 to 60 minutes after the procedure..depending on how much was injected into the area. Many people opt for both, especially if they can't handle the initial injection of the needle..they'd rather have the nitrous first then the injection.

Good luck and I'm sure it will all work out.

positive positive
Apr '15

Josepcan- just to ease your mind, most baby teeth extractions are a very simple procedure..since the roots are immature and shallow. The only time it gets complicated and more involved is when the tooth is ankylosed, which means the root/roots are fused into the bone. I think in your case it will go quite smoothly.

positive positive
Apr '15

I have decided to do the gas to relax him enough not to see the needle coming......
Thank you everyone........

josepcan josepcan
Apr '15

Good luck to your son, and to you too josepcan!


Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

Calico696 Calico696
Apr '15

Josepcan- did your son have his tooth extracted yet and if so, how did it go?

positive positive
Apr '15

Any comments on the Hackettstown Oral Surgery group in Patriots Plaza?

Bernie Bernie
Feb '17

Bernie - If you just do a Forum Search on "Bogart" I'm sure you'll see number of threads with feedback on them. I've seen him three times and not had any issues at all.


We used Dr. Bogart for my daughter who was 7 at the time. Found his office staff to be a bit scattered and confusing to deal with, but found him to be great with my daughter. Explained everything thoroughly.

Htown Resident Htown Resident
Feb '17

Love Bogart and his staff!

Ziggy Ziggy
Feb '17

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