To those who have done nothing about their child's cavities - Page 3

[zjandosmom]

kiminsac= first hugs, I know how hard and stressful it is. You will feel much better when it is over....the anticipation is the worst. My ds had the same thing (4 top crowns and 2 molar cavities). HIs very front 2 teeth didn't look brownish like the 2 on either side so I too was surprised to learn how bad they were. The dentist wasn't sure he could save them all either, but we got lucky. The decay does seem to grow pretty quick.
The only thing I wanted to add is that breastmilk is considerec a clear liquid and is generally allowed with sedation. I was able to nurse my son the whole time. They gave him a liquid form of sedation first (he just loved haha) and gave him to me to hold until he passed out. I put him in his sling, nursed and walked until he was out cold. That said if your dentist is allowing clear liquids then nursing is fine and that would be one less thing to worry about. I am glad you are getting this over with and we'll be thinking of you on the 6th.
Kathy

[zjandosmom]

Kiminsac- Hope all went well today for you and dd.
Kathy

[kiminsac]

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[emmaofpa]

Toraji, and others interested in the link between nutrition and dental health: a wonderful book that I read is "Healthy Teeth through Proper Nutrition" by Fred D. Miller, DDS. It was originally published in 1959, but really is suprisinly relavent today. One suggestion that I found interesting is to finish every meal with fruit. His point was that it stimulates saliva flow, but knowing now what we do about zylitol, doesn't it make even more sense?
Otherwise, he pushes a diet very high in fruits and vegetables, low in carbs. He does recommend alot of milk, which we avoid, but just make sure that we get plenty of calcuim and protien from other sources.
I know that diet is not the only factor in dental decay, but this book is still a good argument in a strong coorelation.

[zjandosmom]

Kiminsac= So glad it is behind you and that your dd is doing well. I really worried that my ds would have to go through it all again and he did end up going back for 1 more crown and 1 filling (he chipped his one none-crowned front tooth and it turned into decay), but not nearly as extensive as the original work. Now I just worry that he'll fall and pop a crown off! My poor ds....I walk around behind him at the playground like an idiot. I guess we do what we can. Again- glad this is behind you and that you can just move forward.

Thanks for all the diet-related info everyone!
Kathy

[WC_hapamama]

If you have a child under 5 years old, I strongly suggest only taking them to see pediatric dentists. Both my younger son and I were traumatized by general dentists that we went to as preschoolers. Seeing peds dentists really made a difference in my comfort level as a child, and seems to be doing the same for my son.

My son (age 6) had extractions done last Wednesday, and they used Versed on him... they had the teeth out in under 15 minutes. Much less traumatic for him, and in much less time that just novicaine and nitrous.

[mommytolittlelilly]

Symptoms for Bacterial Infection?!

Does anyone know how a bacterial infection in the sinus would show itself in terms of symptoms? L has what I think is a cold right now, but I am very paranoid about that decayed, chipped tooth. L was just too scared to deal with the nitrous oxide with a very gentle dentist we wanted to use, so it looks like we're going to have to use one of those sedatives. I've checked her gum and it still looks pink without swelling or blistering.

[WC_hapamama]

Originally Posted by mommytolittlelilly

Does anyone know how a bacterial infection in the sinus would show itself in terms of symptoms? L has what I think is a cold right now, but I am very paranoid about that decayed, chipped tooth. L was just too scared to deal with the nitrous oxide with a very gentle dentist we wanted to use, so it looks like we're going to have to use one of those sedatives. I've checked her gum and it still looks pink without swelling or blistering.

A sinus infection has similar symptoms to a cold, plus a fever and a headache. For me it usually alternated between congestion and post nasal drip that left the back of my throat raw, headache and fever. If I let things go too long without antibiotics, I usually ended up with tonsilitis or bronchitis on top of the sinus problems.

You probably won't notice any gum swelling unless the absess has nowhere else to go. If it absesses, it's extremely painful.

[bleurae]

Hi all, I just wanted to say we have been to the dentist Kim went to and had my sons teeth finally treated as well. She was an awesome dentist and the experience was so much better than last time...plus she saved the tooth we thought we would lose. Bliss's condition is very very aggressive when it hits a tooth and breakage starts within a few months. I only wish I had known of this dentist with his other teeth, but as her current practice is only 6 months old and she didn't have the iv sedation choices at her old one I guess this was the best we could have had. She also mentioned his front four are really only cosmetic so I should be easy on myself.
Anyhow I am thrilled with having it behind me as well.

[mommytolittlelilly]

Thanks, WCH - L did have a fever for a day, but she seems to just be congested right now. She doesn't have that yellowish green kind of mucous either, so I'm really hoping it's just a cold. I have my eye on her, though.

Bleurae, what a relief for you! I bet that's a weight off your shoulders.

I have an appt for L the first week of October. We're going to use Vistaril, but this pediatric dentist says all we need is one dose in office instead of a does before bed and then another in the morning (with no BM!!! L would FREAK!) So we're just supposed to have 4 hours before the appt w/out food and drink, which will be more manageable. I'm scared.

I feel like I've been doing so much research on this subject, looking at and brushing poor little L's teeth after every little thing she eats, I'm going a little nuts.