I have a mouth full of metal from my younger years because I was so very terrified of the dentist. Do you remember the Steve Martin character from Little Shop of Horrors? Well, before he made the movie, he was my dentist. His approach to kids who were afraid was "shut up and sit still." My parents should've made me, but they were exasperated I'm sure. My dad even whipped me once after I refused to open my mouth. I was eight. But I think it bothered them so much they just let it go. I didn't go back to the dentist until I was 13.
Good morning, Corin! We had a wonderful dentist when I was growing up, but he died when I was about 13. I didn't go to another dentist until I was in college, then it was major work needed! I had to have a root canal and crown and LOTS of fillings!
Before we went to the dentist, I entertained the kids with the story of how dead my face was after the novocaine needed for that major dental work. After we got home from the dentist yesterday, our son was fine, didn't even have any pain, and felt like a doofus for being so silly! He was ready for the novocaine to start wearing off though, which it did about 2 hours later.