yellowish brown spot on back of tooth...decay?

[Lilcrunchie]

Break it to me gently...I think I already know the answer

DS is 18 months, still BFing a lot and not a big solids eater. He hasn't had much in the way of crackers/pretzels/other refined carbs either. He still nurses at night a LOT.

His teeth look good from the front...maybe a teensy bit of yellowish stuff once in a while on the top two central incisors but it scrapes off and is barely noticeable to begin with.

About a month ago when I was playing w/ him, I noticed that if I tip him backwards, I can see a small area of yellowish/light tan on the back of his left upper central incisor. Both of these teeth naturally seem to have a "divet" type shape (a concave portion) on their own. On one side, inside of the concave part, it is sort of tannish.

So...break it to me...this is probably decay I guess? We don't do iron supplements so it isn't that. He does night nurse a lot but there's no way we can cut it out at this point...he isn't a big solids eater and he just loves his nursies Ugggh.

What do they generally do if it is caught early on? (assuming this is the early stages).

FWIW, we do not do sugar at all and we've been brushing religiously between dinner and bedtime (no snacks after brushing...just nursing) since before he had teeth :

[aimeemac]

My daughter has a spot like you mentioned and it is not decay, although we had it checked by a dentist. It is just a stain, not sure from what?

If I were you, I'd take your son to a pediatric dentist for a checkup (my dd was about 18 months when we took her for the first time). Just to make sure it is nothing and if it is they can recommend measures to keep it in check w/o spreading further. My daughter does have decay on another took that is grayish brown (decay was arrested with xylitol and fluoride gel), we will wait until she is older to fix it cosmetically, she is only 2.5 years.

I think it is good to establish a good rapport with the dentist early. Many of them are so good with children and their offices are fun.

I would just keep a close eye on it and get it checked.
Aimee

BTW: Nursing has been shown to help with enamal formation. If you brush before bed, I wouldn't worry about the nursies at night, I know all too well how important they are! Hope this helps!

[circlemama]

It could be an enamel issue. There are two great yahoo groups that deal with
kids teeth and breastfeeding. I forget the names, but you could search for them. Xylitol is something to look in to.

[mommymoose]

B??

Beth is this you???