My 5 Year Old Has 5 Cavities.. Filling Tomorrow

Have them done one at a time or two but NOT all at once.
Ask for novicain instead of laughing gas. In my opinion, gas doesn't work as good. I wouldn't give her that.
Keep her home from school.
Be in there for her to be reassured and hold her hand.
Probably will be advised not to eat right after so eat before and brush. Then afterward take her to McDonald's for a chocolate shake (or other flavor) or frozen yogurt then ask doctor when she WILL be able to eat.
Start w/soft foods: spaghetti, soup etc.

Ugh. Sorry to hear that. It will all be explained when you go, but I would plan on keeping her home afterward.

By the way, occasionally fillings can fall out - my son's filling did- so don't freak out if your daughter months later thinks her tooth "broke", it may be just a filling that needs to be redone. =)

Did your dentist say how many he is going to fill? He may or may not do all at once, it just depends on where they are located and sometimes on the size of the filling. Is she having composite or amalgam fillings done? Composite fillings (the white ones) harden immediately and she will be able to eat after the numbness wears off. The amalgam fillings take longer to set and she may be told to eat on the other side for the remainder of the day. Do not be afraid of the laughing gas, it's amazing how it relaxes them. My daughter even fell asleep with it. You daughter will be fine.

**EDIT: go by her cues, if she stays home or not.
My Daughter, was tired and floppy after. And numb, for about an hour after.
or ask the Dentist.
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She will probably just be numb after. My daughter was.
My daughter has had laughing gas.
It was fine.
And novacaine shot.
She was fine.

They will tell you about how to care for her after.
How long it will be numb.
When she can eat.
She can 'drink' smoothies etc.
But only after the filling is set.
Ask them, these things.

Get her a nice non-food reward after.
Let her rest after and just hang out stress free.

hugs,
Susan

Keep her home the rest of the day. He mouth will be numb and she can bite her lips or injure herself without knowing it. Kids will also laugh at her for having a droopy face. Since she'll be awake during the drilling and stuff she'll want her mom a lot.

I had tons of dental work done as a child and had gas for everything and I felt all the shots, the drilling, the whole experience was traumatic. One dentist even put his knee on my chest and drill anyway when I yelled it wasn't numb yet. I will never allow the kids to be awake for dental work until they can understand it hurts to get shots, it feels weird when the drill is grinding into the teeth, that the tooth decay stinks and bits of it will fall on their faces. They will sleep through all that and wake up ready to go.

How is the pain tolerance of your child. Let them use laughing gas. Don't do them all at once. Really don't want to scare you any more than you are, but be sure the dentist is a pediatric dentist who specializes in administering anesthesia and that the staff is experienced in monitoring for when your child goes under.

Have them put the sealant over the teeth if you can to avoid future cavities...

My son had a filling put in his baby teeth. He only had one. The dentist did not use laughing gas but he only had one. The dentist didn't even use novicane(sp) but he was fine and in no pain. We went after school but I think he could have but he didn't have five just one. Maybe the dentist is using the gas to relax her. I would see how it goes. My son was also able to eat right away. Good luck and don't be scared your daughter should be fine I am sure the dentist has done this before on other children so he/she can probably handle anything.