Flossing and fillings and fluoride and x-rays and sealants, Oh My!

[annettemarie]

Michael (almost 8) had a check-up today and has two cavities in his baby teeth. : So now, I have a plethora of questions.

1. The dentist wants to fill them because he said it could be a while before the teeth fell out. Thoughts? Anything in particular I should ask about when it comes to fillings? I know mercury is a concern; do they still use that? This is the first time we've had teeth issues.

2. The dentist said they were "flossing cavities". I'm ashamed to say, it never occurred to me to have my kids floss. I don't floss either. Any tricks or tips for this?

And, since Michael is getting his big guy teeth, a few other concerns came up.
3. We've avoided x-rays and fluoride treatments before, but now they want to do both because they're his adult teeth. I really really don't want to do fluoride treatments and don't think I'll bend on this, but are there advantages to x-rays?

4. They also want to seal his molars. Thoughts?

Thanks all!

[AngelBee]

Wondering all the same things as kids are going to dentist within 2 weeks and Angelo has issues on his front top teeth

It is killing me...

[kaPOW!]

I'd definitely start trying to instill a love of flossing. And I think that we'd probably go ahead with the xrays; 8 is pretty far along to be getting them, I think it would be okay to do now. I think that we would also do the sealants. In my adult molars, the ones that held out the longest were the ones that had sealants. Maybe they'll get him through the dirty teen years unscathed, we all need a hand with that. Good luck. Sounds like he's doing pretty good, though, IMO.

[momma,mia]

I have heard some negative things about sealants, but I thot the benefits would outweigh what I heard. I had my daughters back "adult" teeth sealed. She has already had more work done than I would have liked, so I thot this might help from having to get more done.

If you do get fillings get composite. I have heard that amalgam is stronger and therefore lasts longer for kids (this info from the dentist), but if they are baby teeth, hopefully the fillings would last him throughthe time up until he pulls them.

I also wonder how bad the cavities are and if it is really necessary to get them filled and which teeth they are. Maybe others have better advice. It is difficult sometimes with all the info and opinions to decide what is best. I just try to do the best we can with the info we can find.

Good luck!!

[andisunshine]

I don't have any advice except that if you have the opportunity to seal adult teeeth, then do it. I have sealants on about eight of my teeth and they don't have any cavities. I can't say the same for the rest of them. And, about the flossing, almost all my cavities are from not flossing. I wish now that I had been for the last 20 years!

[momto l&a]

I had the sealants when I was a kid. They didn't clean my teeth well enough and so now I have had one tooth pulled and another broken because of that.

I have recently read that sealants are thought to cause hormone problems. I do have hormone problems. Will never know if its related to that or not.

[annettemarie]

Oh dear. I see a lot of research in my immediate future.

And I am trying very hard not to beat myself up over this, but it's hard.

[kaPOW!]

What are you beating yourself up about? So he's got a couple of cavities. Great! It's a learning experience. It's a practice run to teach him the importance of flossing and brushing and good dental hygiene. Not only are they in his baby teeth, but he's old enough that they're going to fall out pretty soon anyway. Even if composites do have hormone disrupters, and least your kid went 8 years without having to get one! That's not so bad. Maybe these will be the only ones that he ever gets, wouldn't that be awesome?! I really don't see anything that should be troubling your heart. It'll be okay.

[AngelBee]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

Oh dear. I see a lot of research in my immediate future.

And I am trying very hard not to beat myself up over this, but it's hard.

I totally understand.

The dentist said I was ill while preggo with Angelo and he developed a fever that damaged his from 4 top teeth. They have since become slightly discolored. I feel like it is all my fault, though really....what could I do???

Do not be hard on your self though. Now you know he needs to floss more. You can prevent further issues. Don't worry

[momma,mia]

I am not remembering this very well, but I read about sealants and holistic dentists. It seems to me that if they used sealants that they would wipe the tooth somewhat after applying the sealant and that helped to eliminate some adverse effects of sealant.

I know I am not getting this all, but maybe you could google and find some info if you are really worried about the sealant. Hope I didn't write anything too crazy wrong on here!!

[SweetAfton]

AM- Have you read Curing Cavities with Nutrition?

Originally Posted by annettemarie

I know mercury is a concern; do they still use that?

Yes, amalgam fillings have mercury in them. Don't have Michael get amalgam... if he gets the fillings at all. Watch the presentation at http://www.iaomt.org/

2. The dentist said they were "flossing cavities". I'm ashamed to say, it never occurred to me to have my kids floss. I don't floss either. Any tricks or tips for this?

Start flossing

3. We've avoided x-rays and fluoride treatments before, but now they want to do both because they're his adult teeth. I really really don't want to do fluoride treatments and don't think I'll bend on this, but are there advantages to x-rays?

Keep avoiding the fluoride. I know that cavities are visible in the x-rays (sometimes), but I don't know if it's worth it. And you stay away from the x-ray machine, miss AM!

4. They also want to seal his molars. Thoughts?

Haven't done any research on this, but my molars got sealed when I was little and I still got a cavity on one tooth.

Hope I helped!

[annettemarie]

You helped a bunch! s I'll check out the book. Thanks, Afton!