Hello Moms,
I have a very strange issue occurring with my 4 (5 years old in November) year old son. First of all, he is very stubborn, more than my other two kids and has always been a challenge as far as not one who backs down when he wants something.
On Monday his filling (on his front tooth) fell out and his root was exposed. I took him to the Pediatric dentist he sees first thing Tuesday a.m.(because he was in pain). Instead of re-filling the tooth they put a cap on the tooth (I had no idea they were going to do this, but they said the filling would keep coming out). It was VERY traumatic. My son is TERRIBLE at the dentist and wants nothing to do with any part of it. He was kicking and punching and completely out of control so in the midst of the procedure (since he couldn't be held down anymore) he was put in a pupoose (they decided against the pillow as it wouldn't hold his feet). The other option was reschedule and put him under anesthesia to finish the 5 minutes that remained for this procedure. We were almost done so I agreed to the pupoose (it was not an easy decision). When we were done he cried for an hour.
He had the procedure Tuesday a.m. and since he has not closed his mouth and is drooling everywhere. It is gross. He went for two days without eating and drinking, but started eating mashed food and drinking last night (FINALLY). It is very hard to understand him because he will talk, but will not close his mouth. I've talked with the dentist twice, talked with his primary care doctor and took him in again to the dentish this morning. He is getting a little better with the days, but will still not close his mouth. His tongues is white, he has scabs below his lips from wiping the drool from his mouth for 3 days now and I feel so bad. The dentist said the tooth is not too big, not hitting his tongue and/or other teeth and that this seems to be more of a physchological thing. The doctor told me to watch his eating and drinking and to be sure he doesn't get dehydrated. Well now that he is eating (limited foods) and drinking I am not as concerned about that part. However he is suffering from not being able to close his mouth and drooling. He is on and off with his responses - for example one minute he says it hurts, the next he says it doesn't. Then he says it is hitting his tongue and then he says he is okay. ughh. I don't know what to do anymore and the long weekend is coming. I feel helpless. Has anyone experienced this before? Should I get in to see another dentist? Does he need psychological help? This behavior is so bizarre!! Of course the dentish is male and my husband male and they seem to play it up to drama and acting. I find that hard to believe. No one would keep their mouth open for 3 days straight now to get attention (I don't think). He is suffering for some reason and I feel horrible I can't doing anything and don't know what to do to help him.
Thank you.
I am so thankful for the responses. We took him back to the dentist and confirmed the cap/tooth was fine. My son had another bad day yesterday and would not eat all day so by night, I was an emotional mess again. He was bent over in pain crying because he was so hungry, but he still refused to eat (anything)! It is hard watching a child suffer so much they cause harm to themself. However I made an appointment with his pediatrician (whom I think the world of) and before our appt. at 10:15 a.m. he started to show signs of improvement (he ate and chewed and swallowed this time). He had two bowels of cereal and a large glass of vitamin juice. He also talked normal a few times and closed his mouth and then showed me how he could chew food. My husband told him that he had to beat the war on his tooth - that really motivated him.
The doctor confirmed he was going through psychological trauma and gave me the name of an excellent pediatric psychologist, although since my son was starting to show signs of improvement that I didn't need to go to the psychologist, but that in the event I did it could take one or two sessions to restore him to normal (she does some interesting eye therapy thing).
However, right before I went into the doctor's office I got a response from another mom (Beverly D.) too who had a similar story and her story so closely mirrored what my son was going through that it was like a ton more bricks being lifted from my shoulders. Thank you!!!
My son will probably not be back to normal for a few more days, but he is on the road to recovery and I am one happy, thankful mom once again. Thank you Moms!!
I will probably need to find another pediatric dentist though, not sure my son will be able to go back there again. He seems to be a good dentist, but not very sympathetic or patient - which clearly is too much for a child who is terrified by the dentist. If anyone has any recommendations close to the El Cerrito/Berkeley area I would be interested.
S.,
Some people have a really hard time adjusting to foriegn things in their mouth. It might take a little while before he finally gets used to it. I do have to say that he might need a different dentist with more patience. Trauma like what he just went thru will be an issue for the dentist for the rest of his life now.
W. M
Oh S., I am so sorry! It is definitely psychological. He had a traumatic experience and is working through it. THe fact that he is eating shows gradual change. To speed it up, I recommend that you see a counselor or call one and ask for some tips. It may be best to have a counselor talk to your son and help him deal with the stressors. They may be able to talk about it, how it made him feel, and how it really isn't a big deal anymore- that it is fixed and he can eat again and close him mouth again. There's an assurance that he needs to move on. It is seriously frustrating, and counseling seems a bit extreme, but it is worth it if it gets him back to being himself. He also needs to know that sometimes in life, things have to be done that are painful. But a smaller pain can give way to a greater comfort and they are always temporary. Make sure he knows that, too.
I hope this helps.
-E. M
Well, first of all, find yourself another pediatric dentist. This guy doesn't have a clue how to work with children. As soon as it became obvious that the whole procedure was going to be a battle, he should have come up with a better way to handle it. The constant drooling needs to be checked out by ANOTHER pediatric dentist or by a physician. Increased production of saliva is a common reaction to something foreign in the mouth, but the body doesn't usually interpret a cap on a tooth as a foreign body because it should just feel like any other tooth in the mouth. Given that he struggled the whole time, I would be concerned that there has been damage to a salivary gland, a nerve or some other part of the mouth. I'm sure that part of what is going on may just be psychological from the trauma he experienced, but do consider possible physical causes for the drooling.
I am so sorry for your son's experience. No child should have to be treated in such an inhumane way. Anyone who works in pediatrics should have had a better "plan B" for dealing with a struggling, fearful child than a papoose board and should have used it much sooner than 5 minutes before the procedure ended.
B. V. (long time pediatric nurse)
One of my kids is that stubborn. I suggest a nice, healthy BRIBE. "Honey, if you will close your mouth and act normally again I will buy you X today." Make the bribe something pretty good that he really wants.
I wouldn't worry too much about it being some big psychological problem.
Good Morning S.: It is 3:45 am here in ca and I thought I'd check the computer before going to bed. As the mother of 5 I felt I needed to respond to your question.
I have some very adventuous spirits for children and am constantly amazed at the things they have done. I think we know exactly how to mend every bone by now. I don't think of any of them as stubborn but creative and determined to do things their way --- just like their mom! I thnk that 4 year olds are the most amazing age because they are changing so fast from toddler, young child to a real little person with body and language skills. I have to say that yes I have the drooling child myself. Haven't you had dental work done and spent the next few days constantly moving your tounge over the spot worked on?? Recently my front tooth broke in 2 and had to have it repaired( I not my child was kicking and acting up in the dentist chair). The dentist we have had for 25 years now knows I detest going in. I swear that the tooth felt 3 times as big as it should have been for the 1st month! I know it wasn't but it sure felt like it. So let the child drool. It is a shame that his tooth needed that kind of work but if it helps him to act this way so you know that he isn't happy then it will soon pass. For a 4/5 yo old to get his message across --it takes drastic measures!! Enjoy the adventure of parenthood it only gets richer with time! NanaG
Hi there,
I think your 'gut instinct' is right on -- I would have him looked at by another pediatric dentist ASAP. If another dentist tells you nothing physical is wrong, you can quit worrying about that part and just focus on getting your son past the trauma. Honestly, I'm terribly sorry you and your son had to go through that -- we have a great pediatric dentist and I have never seen or heard of her having to do anything close what you described with your son -- she always comes up with another way. What your son went through sounds like a total nightmare -- if I were you, I'd switch dentists.
Good luck to you!
-D.
Dear S.,
I am a family dentist, and I refer my young patients that have problems holding still and cooperating to a pediatric dental specialist. Dental procedures can be difficult for adults to tolerate, and I wouldn't blame your son at his tender age (not that you are doing that). He does not need psychological help; he is exhibiting appropriate behavior for his age, and I do not believe he is "acting". I certainly cannot judge either of your dentists' treatment, but if the nerve of a tooth is exposed on a baby tooth, a "baby root canal" is usually indicated, and a cap is needed after that. Fillings don't stick very well to baby teeth, so that is why caps are used as well. It is not unusual for a tooth to cause on and off pain, and the white tongue and lip dryness can be caused by lack of eating and drinking, and dehydration. He probably feels the strangeness against his tongue, so that is not a problem and if everything else settles down, his tongue will adapt to the new crown (cap). If you haven't gone back to the pediatric dentist to confirm that he is not hitting the cap when he closes his mouth, then you should insist that your son be seen again. Sometimes crowns shift after they are placed. If you are still not satisfied with the answers that dentist gives you, I know an excellent pediatric dentist on Bascom Ave. in San Jose: Dr. Randy Ligh, for a second opinion. Let me know how it turns out...I am always interested in situations that are a bit (or very much) unusual.
I feel so bad for your little guy. I would take him to another pediatic dentist to be sure the work on his front tooth was done correctly. Once you know that for sure you can help your son understand that is mouth and tooth are okay and he can close his mouth, eat normal and drink. He must feel the pain of drooling scabs and dry tongue. I hope all goes well.
Hi S.,
I don't have any advice (mine is just 2 years old), but hang in there!!! I feel for you!
Best,
H.
