Hi, I took my 2 year old to the dentist today, he has 4 cavities that need to be filled, 1 needs to be crowned. They scheduled him at the local surgery center with general anesthesia. Im worried about that. Is general anesthesia safe for a 2 year old? Do I have any other options besides general anesthesia?

For a child that young, this is the best option. Maybe FLOSSIE can chime in!

Thank you for your advice. I work in surgery and we do surgery on little ones all the time, I guess I just need reassurance when its my own child.

Did you try a pediatric dentist?

Yeah we went to a pediatric dentist. I have a friend who works for a general dentist and she said they sometimes give cocktails to little ones, I didn't know anything about that. The dentist we seen today didn't mention that. That's why I wondered if anyone else knew anything about other options.

That is pretty unethical let alone illegal. If you child is too young he/she will not understand and be able to sit through the procedure. Under general in a hospital setting the procedures are done quickly and pose little risk.

I felt pretty comfortable with it until I talked to my friend. Do you think surgery centers are as safe as hospitals?

In my own opinion, if I had a choice I would do it in a hospital. They are more prepared for an emergency if something goes wrong and more equipped for children. Also check with your insurance as they may not pay for surgery center.

Thanks for your advice

Hope I helped, but like I said flossie will give you expert advice. Giver her some time to respond!

Nororo,

It is very common practice for young children to have their dental treatment done under GA. There are a number of dental specialists who have surgical suites right in their offices.

I'm sure you could call the surgery centre and ask for a tour to put your mind at ease. If they aren't open to your request I might think twice about that particular location.

Is the dentist who diagnosed the cavities the one who will be providing the treatment at this facility? If he isn't then your little one should have to be seen prior to his treatment appointment.
At this point you'll be able to check the facility out.

As for the cocktails, they are becoming more popular with dentists who have taken special training in conscious sedation.
There is nothing illegal about it. Usually it is a mild sedative crushed up and added to some chocolate syrup and a little water or something else that the child likes the taste of. The child is conscious and co-operative. These are completely safe and a good alternative for those parents who are concerned about GA.

I thought they were referring to giving the child an adult beverage!

LMAO! No... that would be for the parent! (or dentist)

i thought they were refering to giving the child an adult beverage!

LOL!! I skimmed this and was wondering why you said it'd be illegal, lol :p

Thank you all. Yes the dentist we seen is the one who would be doing it at the surgery center. Do the children usually do good with the drink?

As long as it's a flavour they like, yes.

Flossie,

It seems odd to me that a child this young has so many cavities. Shouldn't this be addressed?

Also, since the teeth are baby teeth, what is the purpose of a crown, which seems like an expensive option for a tooth that will soon fall out anyway?

I have tried everything to take good care of his teeth. We brush them 2 or 3 times a day and have ever since he got teeth. Also Im cutting back on sweets. In the past I probably let him get away with to many sweets though.

Flossie, I mainly got scared because I was going to several websites and some people say good things and some say bad, there are those people who say "I would never let me 2 year old go under general anesthesia ezpecially in a surgery center" That comment made me feel like I didn't know what to do. I want him to get the best treatment possible. I assist in surgery and I see little ones get GA all the time and it turns out fine.

Sorry noro, just my opinion. Many children have enamel issues. My son had some enamel defects that caused cavities as well his teeth are so close together it is near impossible to floss.

As far as why do the work if they are baby teeth and will fall out anyway... pain! Asking needs to consider that. Not providing dental care for your child can be considered neglect.

Thank you, yes that's what the dentist said they will become painful and the one of them he won't lose until he's 10 or so.

It will be OK... he won't remember anything!

I wasn't arguing for no treatment! I was assuming the alternative would be pulling the tooth. Mainly, I was just curious.

Also, since the teeth are baby teeth, what is the purpose of a crown, which seems like an expensive option for a tooth that will soon fall out anyway?

If the problem is not addressed early then the child is more likely to have a host of other problems related to ignoring this. (Gum issues, misaligned teeth, and PAIN)

Plus at 2, the teeth won't really be falling out that soon so yes, the child needs dental care now. The child needs to keep the teeth (or have them crowned) in order to hold the spaces for when the time comes for permanent teeth to come in.

So, nororo7, did your 2 year old have juice bottles? I've heard that's a common cause of cavities in toddlers. Again, this isn't about blame. I'm interested to know more about how this happened.

One of my kids had a defect in the enamel on one tooth, but they both got fluoride and never had any actual cavities--they are 16 and 20. I had quite a few cavities when I was little (and no fluoride). It seems like it really works.

my son get floride treatment, brushes 2X a day sometimes more , rinses with floride rinse and flosses... he still gets cavities. Sometimes genetics plays a part.

He didn't really get juice bottles, but he breastfed until he was 18 months old and it was mostly at night. Also he is such a picky eater there for a long time I would make him several things to eat and he would always turn everything down but then maybe eat a honeybun or something, and I thought at least he is eating something, I think maybe that had some to do with it too, I now don't do that, I know when he gets hungry he will eat and the snacks I offer him are all healthy.
I had wondered if he needed a fluoride supplement but his doctor had told me that our water had it in it so don't worry about it. When I was a child I had several cavities, so maybe it has something to do with that as well.

Nororo, the worst kind of snacks for kids are any kind of dried fruit like raisins. Parents tend to think raisins are health but they are deadly for the teeth as they stick in between and in the grooves of the teeth. Breads, crackers, cereals also stick to the teeth and the carbohydrates in them break down into sugars.

The best between meal snacks are fresh fruit and vegetables. Leave all the sticky foods for mealtime and then brush after eating.

Be careful with giving fluoride until you know your child is a really good spitter. You don't want them swallowing it as it can cause defects in their adult teeth when they come in.

Ask your dentist if you can have a tour of the sugery clinic before you take your son there so you can put your mind at ease.

Thank you everyone

Let us know how it went!

They don't have him scheduled until November 4th at this point. I sure will though

That is a very long time to wait!

Definitely a long time to wait! Why so far off? Can they put you on a cancellation list to get in sooner?

They said that was her first available date at the surgery center, she was already booked the other days there. I know I thought that seemed a while as well

Tell them you want to be called as soon as they have any cancelations

Yeah I will, Im going to call them this week with a few questions.