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I would suggest first of all that you take your child to a pediatric dentist for a check-up. If the decay is already big enough for you to see, it could be even bigger than you think. I am assuming that no radiographs were made at the appointment because she would not sit still. The pediatric dentist and his or her staff will probably be able to get the films that they need to properly diagnose the case.
My feeling is that if there are at least 2 cavities that are big enough for you to see, there are more that will be found when the radiographs are taken. While your dentist wants to wait 2 months to attempt treatment, I wouldn't look for much improvement in behavior in that short amount of time; however, waiting 2 months won't be harmful as far as the cavities are concerned.
The use of nitrous oxide for dental treatment of children is very common and safe. The nitrous is not incorporated into the body and as soon as the nitrous is turned off and 100% oxygen is administered, the effects are removed. There are no lingering effects as there are with a medication that is administered. This brings up another point.
When you go the pediatric dentist, they may suggest other modes of treatment, such as using an oral sedative, IV sedation or general anesthesia. Of course, these will not be recommended unless they apply to the situation with your child, specifically the amount of treatment needed and the level of cooperation that your child is capable of giving.
Treating the cavities in the primary teeth is necessary because once cavities start, they only get worse. Cavities never go away and the tooth can't repair the damage. If they are not treated, the disease can progress until the nerve of the tooth is involved, and the child has a toothache which sometimes indicates that the tooth must be removed.
Dr. Alton McWhorter
Associate Professor
Pediatric Dentistry
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