Jason (8 yr. old) had a dentist appt. last week. We have finally got it down so that he will go sit in the chair and cooperate for them but he won't let them clean his teeth except with just a regular toothbrush and his toothpaste. He doesn't like the sprayer, suctioner, etc. So, now I have 6 months until his next appt. to figure out how to get him to let them do all that to him.

It used to take them about 10 min. to get him into the chair (and that's with me taking away priviliges for not doing it and rewarding if he does). For this last appt. he was going to lose all privileges for 4 days but the reward was getting supper from McDonalds on the way home - yeah, he earned it. He didn't have a melt down, went right in and sat in the chair so PROGRESS!

Now for the next appt. - getting him to let them clean his teeth "their way". I am hoping we might be able to compromise with them about the suctioning part and let him just spit out into a cup (I don't like that suctioner thingy myself). Anyone have suggestions on how to get him to transition up from toothbrush cleaning to the spinner polish cleaning they want to do?

Janell

start using an electric toothbrush and water pic at home on him each day...then the water squirter and noise of the spinning brush won't scare him as much maybe! Worked for my 2 year old!

Don't know if they have them in the US (or what the cost would be), but down here you can get electric toothbrushes even for kids. Maybe if you can get one (available, not too expensive, etc), it might be a "transitional" toothbrush for him - stepping up from a regular kids one, but not as "scary" as the dentist's one. But it might get him used to the noise and the feel of it whirring around.

I'll put my thinking cap on and post again if I think of anything else Janell.

Target has kids electric toothbrushes for 4.99 with cute themes! That's what we used...nothing expensive!

yeah our kids have both electric and regular toothbrushes...

Aiden does great, I have to hold Willie down for them. We have not been able to get any x-rays for Willie.

Will your dentist let your ds hold the suction straw himself? My ds loved to "help" the dentist when he was little. Also, for something like filling a cavity or sealing the teeth, which takes longer than a cleaning, we let the dentist give them some "happy gas." The hygenist can take it away immediately and give oxygen to clear their heads if anything goes crazy. My daughter still prefers the gas over the shots today and she is 15.