Dentist

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/7/02 8:54:53 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

gailaiken@... writes:

>

>

>

>

> I am very lucky to have a wonderful dentist who was

> the one that suggested we come to his office once a

> week for as long as it took for my then 4 year old

> autism son to learn what going to the dentist was.

>

When my son had his braces on and was having a tough time, all of the dental

assistants (there were about five -- all women) gathered around the chair and

did

a selection from " The Sound of Music " (Josh's favorite movie). It was so

sweet and

I will never forget these wonderful people!

Celia

[Guest guest]

Don't usually reply but my son (5 years) had similar issues. His speech

therapist has told me that this contributes to his apraxia issues. Adam gets

therapy consisting of swabbing his mouth with different strong tastes (i.e.

sour

lemon, etc) to was up his mouth. There mouths just don't seem to react to

touches, tastes, textures like ours do.

janet

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

If you were not there to witness it, your son's dentist may have

just said this to you because he was trying to say to you " You're

son is a very good patient -you should be proud of him! " Perhaps

your son did show a normal amount of a slight bit of discomfort when

the needles went in. But because he didn't go crazy on the dentist

like some children do as soon as they even see the needle, instead

of telling you -the dentist thought it best to spare you from

knowing every detail? Also keep in mind it's really the first

needle that he would feel the most for a second -after that he's

already becoming numb. Your son's dentist would be the best to

ask. I'll check with one of my friends who is a dentist to see what

he says.

My son Tanner did have sensory integration dysfunction in this area -

but it just wasn't for shots -it was for lots of things when it came

to touch. Tanner would not cry for shots or when he fell and would

bleed -and would scratch a mosquito bite until it bled and keep

scratching. This same child would feel pain if you tickled him soft

or patted him on the head softly.

How is your son when he get's other shots? Does he show other signs

of sensory issues anywhere in his body? Does he receive oral motor

therapy which would help if your son did have sensory issues in his

mouth?

Not all children with verbal apraxia have " other " issues such as

oral apraxia, sensory integration dysfunction, weakness or low tone -

also known as hypotonia or benign congenital hypotonia (in the

mouth area dysarthria) and/or motor planning issues in other areas

of the body. These are the signs that need to be evaluated by both

speech/OT/and neurodevelopmental MDs for to confirm or rule out so

that they can be treated with appropriate therapy.

Again -however, don't jump and assume that this is yet another sign

of a/the problem when it could just be that your son was being

praised by the dentist for being a " big boy! "

Hope that helps!

=====

[Guest guest]

Hi !

In a nutshell I say that apraxia is a motor planning disorder and

dysarthria is a weakness disorder -but that's not an " expert "

definition. If only the answer were that simple!

Most times SLPs refer to apraxia as a " motor planning " disorder -and

dysarthria as a " weakness " disorder... But ...like most definitions

of speech and language -the 'actual' one is a bit more confusing in

that it could be describing one of many disorders of speech and/or

language. (which is why you need a comprehensive evaluation with 2nd

opinions from therapists and MDs)

Keep in mind that it's true many of the conditions of speech and

language can and do overlap. It's just annoying when they overlap

the symptoms (we talk much here about misdiagnosis of apraxia or

PDD/autism -not as much about this one) Therapy is also different -

but unlike autism (ABA therapy) not detrimental if the wrong

disorder is diagnosed. So, if your child is receiving therapy for

solely motor planning and is not improving -try therapy for

dysarthria (strengthening) in addition, or instead. Just like apraxia or

autism,

there is a difference between dysarthria and apraxia. Most of the expert

definitions don't make that clear. Here for example is

what we have quoted at our Speechville site:

" What is dysarthria?

Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder, associated with the

production of speech. Dysarthria is due to a weakness or

incoordination of the speech muscles. Speech is slow, weak,

imprecise or uncoordinated. It can affect both children and adults.

" There is often difficulty with getting enough air support during

speech, voice problems, slurred speech sounds and too much nasality

(air coming through the nose).

Dysarthria can vary greatly in severity. For some children, it is

very mild and has little effect on the understandability of speech.

Some children may be difficult to understand and will need therapy

to improve their speech.

....children with dysarthria often have difficulties with language,

learning and other aspects of motor development... "

From the Mayo Clinic (Rochester), Child and Adolescent Care. "

http://www.speech-express.com/diagnosis-destinations/dysarthria/dysarthria.html

Question your child's SLP/MD if you are not sure.

=====

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your very informative response. Your knowledge is endless

and worth so much.

>From: " kiddietalk " <kiddietalk@...>

>Reply-

>

>CC: bookmom22@...

>Subject: [ ] Re: dentist

>Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2003 03:18:32 -0000

>

>Hi !

>

>In a nutshell I say that apraxia is a motor planning disorder and

>dysarthria is a weakness disorder -but that's not an " expert "

>definition. If only the answer were that simple!

>

>Most times SLPs refer to apraxia as a " motor planning " disorder -and

>dysarthria as a " weakness " disorder... But ...like most definitions

>of speech and language -the 'actual' one is a bit more confusing in

>that it could be describing one of many disorders of speech and/or

>language. (which is why you need a comprehensive evaluation with 2nd

>opinions from therapists and MDs)

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol,

Thanks for your great response. You are very funny.

We live in central nj and use a ped. dent. that is very good. The girls

(hygenists & assistants) in his office are wonderful.

My son has never had an x-ray, but I could not imagine what he would be

like. He is just not very aware of his mouth. I have to brush his teeth for

him because he has a hard time w/ placement in his mouth.

I don't know where he got his " groovy " teeth from. His older brother &

sister have no problems and neither does my husband or I. Just one more

thing to keep us on our toes I guess.

Good luck w/ your future visits to the dentist and thanks again for your

response.

[Guest guest]

Skip it-- the polishing of the amalgams can release vapors. If you

must do the cleaning, inform them that you do not want them to polish

the teeth that have the amalgam fillings. Finding a mercury-free

dentist makes this easier as you might get the @@ (rolling eyes)

from a regular dentist.

W

> What is everyone's feelings on teeth cleaning while your pregnant

if you have amalgrams? Zeb's mom Thanks in advance.

[Guest guest]

As a hygienist myself, I don't polish my patient' amalgams at all.

Just tell your hygienist not to polish your amalgams. Or you can

have her only scale your teeth and NOT polish at all. That may put

you more at ease.

HTH,

In-- In , " badmoonrisen2002 "

<risen@p...> wrote:

> What is everyone's feelings on teeth cleaning while your pregnant

if you have amalgrams? Zeb's mom Thanks in advance.

[Guest guest]

Heidi,

Yes, I always do. I have a little mouth, I know it is hard to

believe, but when they pry it open and put all that stuff in it, my

jaws ache and they always split the corners of my mouth.

Shirley

>

> Hi,

>

> I have an odd question. Have any of you had a hard time with jaw

pain at

> the dentist? I didn't know if it was just me hating going there

because I

> think they are just medieval beasts anyway, and i was just

having " fake symptoms "

> or if it really hurt. LOL. OK, I am terrible going to the

dentist. I have

> a " rep " if you will. They don't even let me sit in the waiting

room. I am a

> flight risk. But as we were getting near the end of the filling,

I had just

> about had it and put my knees up and told them to stop. I needed

to close my

> mouth and rest. To my surprise, they massaged my jaw joints.

Perhaps they

> are not as beastly as I thought! They finished the filling, I am

still

> alive, with no pain just a little swelling at the jaw. I have to

go back November

> 17th for more beastly torture. I will take some tylenol before I

go. I

> have plenty of time to get worked up before that appointment. I

will survive!

> la la....love that song....

>

> Heidi in Mass.

> **************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your

destination.

> Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out

> (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000002)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Heidi: I know how you felt. I had a difficult root canal, my mouth

and jaw were so sore I couldn't open my mouth. The dentist had a small

mouth jack, and he jacked my mouth open. Can you just imagine that!!!!

It sure helped!!

Hope you will feel better soon. I hate the dentist too, but go every 6

months. It takes me 6 months to sike myself up for the appt.

Wishing you pain free days.

Hugs,

Barbara

> >

> > Hi,

> >

> > I have an odd question. Have any of you had a hard time with jaw

> pain at

> > the dentist? I didn't know if it was just me hating going there

> because I

> > think they are just medieval beasts anyway, and i was just

> having " fake symptoms "

> > or if it really hurt. LOL. OK, I am terrible going to the

> dentist. I have

> > a " rep " if you will. They don't even let me sit in the waiting

> room. I am a

> > flight risk. But as we were getting near the end of the filling,

> I had just

> > about had it and put my knees up and told them to stop. I needed

> to close my

> > mouth and rest. To my surprise, they massaged my jaw joints.

> Perhaps they

> > are not as beastly as I thought! They finished the filling, I am

> still

> > alive, with no pain just a little swelling at the jaw. I have to

> go back November

> > 17th for more beastly torture. I will take some tylenol before I

> go. I

> > have plenty of time to get worked up before that appointment. I

> will survive!

> > la la....love that song....

> >

> > Heidi in Mass.

> > **************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your

> destination.

> > Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out

> > (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000002)

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Heidi,

I have TMJ so dental work can be VERY trying. My jaw hurts if I hold

it open for long and the anxiety of being at the dentist makes it

worse. I tell any new dentist that I have TMJ right away and they are

usually great about letting my jaw " take a break " during procedures.

They even let me sit up when I need to in order to let my jaw fall

back into place (the only way I can describe it).

I suggest just telling the dentist and staff that you suspect you have

TMJ and to ask for those breaks!

Kim

>

> Hi,

>

> I have an odd question. Have any of you had a hard time with jaw

pain at

> the dentist? I didn't know if it was just me hating going there

because I

> think they are just medieval beasts anyway, and i was just having

" fake symptoms "

> or if it really hurt. LOL. OK, I am terrible going to the

dentist. I have

> a " rep " if you will. They don't even let me sit in the waiting

room. I am a

> flight risk. But as we were getting near the end of the filling, I

had just

> about had it and put my knees up and told them to stop. I needed

to close my

> mouth and rest. To my surprise, they massaged my jaw joints.

Perhaps they

> are not as beastly as I thought! They finished the filling, I am

still

> alive, with no pain just a little swelling at the jaw. I have to

go back November

> 17th for more beastly torture. I will take some tylenol before I

go. I

> have plenty of time to get worked up before that appointment. I

will survive!

> la la....love that song....

>

> Heidi in Mass.

> **************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your

destination.

> Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out

> (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000002)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

ROTFL, Heidi!

Sue

On Friday, October 17, 2008, at 05:37 PM, sposy@... wrote:

> LOL. OK, I am terrible going to the dentist. I have

> a " rep " if you will. They don't even let me sit in the waiting room.

> I am a

> flight risk. of the information provided.

>

[Guest guest]

Like many of you, I hate going to the dentist also. If I open my mouth

to wide my jaw slips and I have to work to get it back. Whenever I get

crowns done, I warm my dentist. He lets me shut my mouth every several

months to rest my jaw. But still end up with bad jaw pain.

Another thing I hate is the nasty teeth taste when my dentist drills

one of my teeth. That makes me gag sometimes. After getting my teeth

cleaned my dentist checks my mouth which ruins the minty taste. The

assistant gives me mouthwash afterward which helps.

I have cervical fusions so can't bend my head back much. I take a

little towel with me and roll it up to support my neck. Also I take my

radio with me to the dentist. (no IPOD).

Debbie L

[Guest guest]

My goodness, it just gets better- haha (for you Clora). Being new to

this disease, I was quite surprised to get pain in my shoulders, now

you are telling me I have pain in my jaw to look forward

to....argh....can it get any worse??? :-)

>

> Like many of you, I hate going to the dentist also. If I open my

mouth

> to wide my jaw slips and I have to work to get it back. Whenever I

get

> crowns done, I warm my dentist. He lets me shut my mouth every

several

> months to rest my jaw. But still end up with bad jaw pain.

>

> Another thing I hate is the nasty teeth taste when my dentist

drills

> one of my teeth. That makes me gag sometimes. After getting my

teeth

> cleaned my dentist checks my mouth which ruins the minty taste. The

> assistant gives me mouthwash afterward which helps.

>

> I have cervical fusions so can't bend my head back much. I take a

> little towel with me and roll it up to support my neck. Also I take

my

> radio with me to the dentist. (no IPOD).

>

> Debbie L

>

[Guest guest]

I have a friend who opened her mouth one morning and then couldn't

close it. What a horrible thing to happen! She had to go to a doctor, I

don't know what kind.

Sue

On Saturday, October 18, 2008, at 04:10 PM, deebs87 wrote:

> Like many of you, I hate going to the dentist also. If I open my mouth

> to wide my jaw slips and I have to work to get it back. Whenever I get

> crowns done, I warm my dentist. He lets me shut my mouth every several

> months to rest my jaw. But still end up with bad jaw pain.