I have a seven-year-old daughter whose upper permanent central incisor broke off. Because of pain from another tooth that was treated, she has developed an extreme fear. The tooth was built up after numerous visits to the dentist, with us spending the whole morning there (several times in vain). Now, after two months, that part has fallen off again and we are back at the beginning. At first she is still brave, but as soon as the dentist picks up an instrument, everything ends. She starts pushing everything away with her hands. Please tell me what I should do, because I no longer know what else we can do.

Dear Sir/Madam!

It is very difficult to advise without an examination or at least a conversation. Experience shows that in the situations you describe, the most difficult part of the task is done by the parents, through preparation and, above all, firmness without giving in. Treatment should be presented as a reward and as a fact of life (like eating every day, sleeping, watching television...). Bribery does not pay off. An interesting fact is that many problems in the dental practice are most often caused by children who have not yet had any dental experience at all, so we may ask who consciously or subconsciously instilled fear or a negative attitude toward the treatment itself. I can help you more if you make an appointment for an examination.

Have a nice day!