When my son was 11 months, his top front tooth looked a little chipped at the corner, which at 13 months, he went to a dentist and confirmed it was a cavity. Over the next 1 1/2 years, the top front 4 (including the chipped one) had like an oval brownish stain on it on the back. I also noticed one of his top molars had a cavity. We treated these with GelKam and temporary fillings with flouride for over the course of 1 1/2 years.
He is breastfed (31 months old) and at the time of his first cavity, never had juice or anything of the sort. Only the antibiotics, Motrin, Tylenol which are full of sugar. I wonder if this is what starts it for the children. He did not eat much food at all until over 12 months.
We decided to have the surgery under GA Tuesday, because of the following: we did not want to get to the point where he got an abcess, in which they have to pull the tooth; the molar had a cavity, and since he will have it for maybe 10 years, we felt it was important that this tooth never get to the point where it could abcess; he was getting to need a lot of dental work by this time, 2 caps, 4 fillings (one which we did not know about), in which I feel that he could not handle anytime soon. The dentist said they could do it with IV sedation when he was 3 and a certain weight, but I never felt comfortable with this.
After the surgery, the dentist told us the 2 molars were little cavities, was able to do just 2 caps and not four, and that he still had a lot of tooth structure in the 2 he capped. I feel we had more time and could have possibly avoided this. I am rather angry about the whole thing. They act like GA is no big deal. But any mom who has to go through this will know that it is, and that it is very traumatic for the children. It makes me angry that the dentists worry so much about the kids being afraid of dentist and want to put them under GA, so they are not going to grow up afraid. Whatever. That is such a joke. GA is very hard on them and I do not think for a minute that they do not associate this with the dentist. They are too smart. One other thing, do not expect your child to come out with the same looking teeth. My son's caps are bigger than his original teeth, and are not perfectly staight accross at the bottom (one is slightly longer). They do not look the same. I guess I expected too much. But the dentists are so great at making everything seem so easy. Don't get me wrong, they look nice, but it is just not the same. He did do the sealants, which I am greatful for. I do not know if I knew what I know now, if I would have done this. But there was no way to know until they started drilling from what I understand. And I did want him to have all of his teeth, because I think it is important for speech. I am glad in many ways we did it. No more going to the dentist all the time. I can start fresh--no decay. It is nice knowing that he has no decay right now. The sealants make the toothbrush glide over the molars better, which were always hard to clean. His teeth are easier to clean now, without worrying about all the decayed parts (I used to use a little brush and brush the decayed parts extra good (I think they are for braces). We are going to continue with the GelKam. I found these sponges on a stick-they are called toothettes (they use them in the hospital for patients to clean their mouth) and hopefully these will help me keep his teeth clean between brushings. I put water on them, and let him do it some. But be careful they never get the sponge off. I am worried about brushing his teeth too much, so I found these (I do not want to wear the enamel off). He nurses at night, of course I was told to stop or that the decay will continue, but never will I do that. I just do not believe that God would make a mother's milk that would destroy a child's teeth. However, I do struggle with should I squirt some water in his mouth after he falls asleep. What do you think? Is it really necessary, Smilemomma or anyone?
The day he had his surgery, he came down with a fever, and has been sick all week, with a viral sore throat. It really has been a terrible week.
I am writing this, so that maybe someone can learn something from this, or at least know they are not alone. It is so hard to go through this for everyone.
Thank you so much for all that have posted and have helped me without knowing it. Thanks so much Smilemomma for all your information, which I have no idea how you have time. If anyone has any questions, I would be happy to share what we have learned. If anyone has any ideas on how to keep this from happening again that are not in the archives, I would love to hear it. Does anyone know about Goldenseal? Thanks.
I am perusing the dental forum and read your post.... I am so sorry Your ds had to go through that. Who was your dentist so I know to steer clear of them ?? I have heard Hayden Family Dentistry opts for pappoose board/ no parents in room !
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) at 8 months old, but it was in a hospital and I felt more comfortable than I do this time!!
) where children freaked out in the hospital setting, and where the hospital personnel was less than receptive to their feelings.
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