Teenager Afraid of the Dentist
My teenage son is afraid of going to the dentist. I never had prior knowledge of this, until I came home the other day and found him drinking a beer. I asked him what was wrong, and he said he gets very nervous when going to the dentist. He's 14 now, and as you can imagine I have a big problem with the beer thing. Can nitrous oxide help him? I get nitrous also; I hope his fear didn't come from me. What should I say to his dentist? Is nitrous oxide a healthy choice for a 14 year old?
Question:I am very concerned about your 14 year old son drinking beer! Is this really just dental appointment anxiety or is this the way that he is learning to deal with all life's anxieties and fears in general? It is extremely important to determine the extent of his drinking and the underlying cause(s). Teenagers have a lot of pressure on them these days. Talk with your son--don't talk to your son. Don't be afraid to seek additional help!
If I know a patient has been drinking alcohol prior to their dental appointment, I will not treat them that day. Many dentists have this policy because it is very difficult to predict how the patient will react to the alcohol itself or how the alcohol will interact with medications we may need to prescribe. Liability is also a concern.
I just advised another parent to try communicating with their child to attempt to discover the reason for the fear. If a reason for his discomfort can be determined, perhaps discussion with the dentist to address any concerns can alleviate the problem.
The use of nitrous oxide to help relax your son may also be beneficial. It should be safe as long as he has no medical condition which may interfere with this drug. The dentist should also be trained to safely use nitrous oxide on patients.
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