? about cavities in baby teeth what to do

[Kristin0105]

DD went for a check up today and after a cursory glance at her teeth the dentist said she has beautiful teeth but there is a oclusion in a top and bottom molar. It's no big deal just a little nitrous oxide and she'll be good to go she is a great patient. Also she needs the other 2 molars sealed because she has deep ridges and they will just get cavities as well. (I know that part is true since I have the same teeth) And the dentist started to walk out of the room. Yikes! So I called her back and tried asking her about using MI paste on at least the upper cavity as it was barely there. She said it wasn't an option for biting surfaces etc. and the fillings were no big deal etc... I shouldn't be concerned, she just needs to get them filled etc... etc... and she left. I was kind of stunned by the whole thing and didn't think of all the questions I now have. I plan on calling and speaking with her before I take the next step.

I am okay with the sealants at this point. I know they will help. I had them and they saved my teeth. However, after reading some on here I am wondering is it necessary to fill the cavities? The top one was soooo minor. The bottom one is larger and I could see how filling it would be a good idea so debris does not get caught in there. Also what about the type of filling? I know I don't want amalgam but is the resin any safer? What about the nitrous? I really don't like the sound of that as an option. Growing up my dentist didn't even use novacain, ouch! but nitrous sounds kind of scary to me. DD is only 3, almost 4 but still I don't like the idea of the nitrous. Are there alternatives?

Other than the obvious questions I have here should I ask her anything else when I call? If she will even take the time to talk with me on the phone.

TIA

[marshapn]

Did you decide what to do? I have same issue w almost 3 yr old DD although her cavities are advanced in at least 3 of her bottom front teeth. We thought we'd avoid all drugs and just talk her through it as we're nervous about how she will react to the drugs.

As for the filing we haven't decided, although no amalgam for sure. Just can't remember what our alternatives are.

-- marsha

[Kristin0105]

Well, I have not 100% decided. I know I will get the bottom one filled with resin as she does complain sometimes it hurts when something gets stuck in the cavity. Which tells me it must be pretty deep. I am not sure about the top tooth as I still don't see anything. I'd like to take her to my dentist as I really trust him but I just don't have the $$$ and he does not take dd's insurance. As far as the sealants I was going to go ahead but now I am not sure after reading about a Finnish study on xylitol being as effective as sealants. So not really sure but have to decide by next week as I have an appointment scheduled for the 4th. I bought some MI paste and I am using it on her teeth especially the back one 2X's a day. Hoping to buy some more time. But I also don't want to put her in a situation where there is cavity within but the tooth looks fine on the outside. I had that myself after I gave birth. As far as the nitrous I still don't know and I am open to not knowing until we get there. Asking them to try it without and if she can't handle it and freaks then go ahead and use a little. I hate that this happened I have been so diligent but I stopped using floride tooth paste for a while and dd has my molars with big grooves in them so they just are like cavity magnets.

[Twoplussixis8]

We had a bad experiance with sedation on Friday. They had to stop. I'm not sure what to tell you. Good luck