Dental Questions!

Hello everyone! I have a little one who is currently 19mo and I’ve scheduled a dentist appointment for him because his pediatrician recommended it.

When I was little I always enjoyed going to the dentist but as I got older I started dreading it and it had turned into a full blown phobia (sweating, crying, nightmares, avoiding it at all costs as only going when I absolutely cannot avoid it). I want my son to never feel this way, and booked his appointment with a child-friendly clinic called Kool Smiles (they have offices all over the country) because they have excellent reviews here.

My questions are as follows:

1) My LO doesn’t like sitting still or having people mess with his mouth. We do brush his teeth daily but he doesn’t enjoy it. How do pediatric dentists get kiddos under two to sit still and let them work on their teeth?

2) Has anyone heard of it taken their kids to a Kool Smiles clinic? What was your experience like?

3) This isn’t really kid related, but does anyone else have a dental phobia? How do you cope with going to the dentist? I absolutely have to go because I’m in excruciating pain and need my cavities filled and I am dreading it.