What's worse for my daughter: My cavities or my fillings?

[jmamasun]

Hi--
My dd is 12 months and I recently went to the Dentist for the first time since before I got pregnant. I was told I have 10 cavities, varying in severity.

I know that cavities in the mother are one of the primary causes of dental carries in young children...(something I of course would love to avoid!)
And I've heard that it's perfectly safe to get local anesthesia and fillings for cavities while BF, though NOT safe during pregnancy. This distinction concerns me, because it's my understanding that almost everything travels through the breastmilk to the child, to some degree.

Today I got my first cavity filled and while it was being put in (a non-mercury type of filling) I tasted and inhaled the smell of something that seemed like pure toxic chemicals. When I asked the Dentist about this at the end he of course assured me that "everything in the office is safe for ingestion." I absolutely do not buy that...but my true concern is for my daughter through the breastmilk. Will she get whatever chemicals from the filling I swallowed? I have 9 more cavities to be filled.

What's worse? Risking passing on dental carries and bacteria to her through my rotting teeth? Or risking poisoning her (even subtly) through the slight ingestion of dental-work chemicals?

Any advise would be deeply appreciated! Thank you--

[JaneS]

The bisphenol-A plastic material in white fillings does offgas immediately after placement. Whether it's possible to judge relative risk or not is hard to say. There are composite materials without b-A but this dentist doesn't seem so inclined.

I'd be very concerned about the amount of cavities you have and the nutritional and mineral quality of your breastmilk too. Please dont' shoot the messenger here (I've been called much worse even). I'm not blaming you but encouraging you to treat this as a potential for positive change and impetus for further knowledge. There is a reason why your body is reacting this way and perhaps a change in diet is needed.

[jmamasun]

Thanks JaneS-- I'm glad to know there is an alternative to the off-gassing filling I had. I'll be looking into alternative dentists.
RE Nutrition in relation to my cavities--- Thanks for your concern...and yes, I am concerned...although truth be told I hadn't visited the Dentist in over 6 years, and have heard that Pregnancy can be very hard on the teeth.
Because I am extremely nutritionally aware, have eaten a 100% organic, low-sugar, wheat-free, dairy-free, mostly vegetarian diet for over 10 years, and because my daughter is blatantly thriving physically, the image (and activity)of radiant baby health I am not so concerned about the nutritive qualities of either my own diet or my breastmilk.
I think perhaps my teeth were sensitive to pregnancy, and perhaps I need to get more Calcium into my diet...though with the amount of leafy greens I eat, that's hard to imagine.
Thanks for your response! And blessings--

[jmamasun]

Thanks JaneS-- I'm glad to know there is an alternative to the off-gassing filling I had. I'll be looking into alternative dentists.
RE Nutrition in relation to my cavities--- Thanks for your concern...and yes, I am concerned...although truth be told I hadn't visited the Dentist in over 6 years, and have heard that Pregnancy can be very hard on the teeth.
Because I am extremely nutritionally aware, have eaten a 100% organic, low-sugar, wheat-free, dairy-free, mostly vegetarian diet for over 10 years, and because my daughter is blatantly thriving physically, the image (and activity)of radiant baby health I am not so concerned about the nutritive qualities of either my own diet or my breastmilk.
I think perhaps my teeth were sensitive to pregnancy, and perhaps I need to get more Calcium into my diet...though with the amount of leafy greens I eat, that's hard to imagine.
Thanks for your response! And blessings--

[jmamasun]

Thanks JaneS-- I'm glad to know there is an alternative to the off-gassing filling I had. I'll be looking into alternative dentists.
RE Nutrition in relation to my cavities--- Thanks for your concern...and yes, I am concerned...although truth be told I hadn't visited the Dentist in over 6 years, and have heard that Pregnancy can be very hard on the teeth.
Because I am extremely nutritionally aware, have eaten a 100% organic, low-sugar, wheat-free, dairy-free, mostly vegetarian diet for over 10 years, and because my daughter is blatantly thriving physically, the image (and activity)of radiant baby health I am not so concerned about the nutritive qualities of either my own diet or my breastmilk.
I think perhaps my teeth were sensitive to pregnancy, and perhaps I need to get more Calcium into my diet...though with the amount of leafy greens I eat, that's hard to imagine.
Thanks for your response! And blessings--

[JaneS]

Well my research has shown that leafy greens do not at all have the amount of calcium that's necessary for pg/lactation ... and especially because the minerals from veggies are not well absorbed and broken down by the intestines. Also crucial to mineral absorption is the fat soluble vitamins found only in animal products: vitamin A and D. Pregnancy is "hard" on a body b/c it requires a lot of nutrients.

I used to think a vegetarian diet was healthy too but no longer. My DS has always looked very healthy, people literally still stop us on the street... but yet he has lots of digestive and mineral problems.