Gray tooth in DD

[maxwill129]

We just got up not too long ago and my DD's front tooth is turning gray. She's 3 and I'm nervous that they can't/won't do anything because it's just a baby tooth so they'll just wait for it to fall out on it's own in a couple of years. My dd is already saying things like "I can't eat breakfast anymore because my tummy is too big", so I'm scared to have her walking around with a gray tooth that is totally noticable. I don't need anyone to make comments about it. Anyone else have a child that has had a dead tooth at a young age? We're going to the dentist at 10:30...

[Skim]

mine too - how about remineralization?

I'll be following your thread, here. My own almost-3 dd has recently gotten a gray tooth from a hard fall flat on her face on our wood floor. However, that tooth (and another next to it) were already weak from early decay.

I, too, am nervous about what to do - my understanding is that there is no real treatment except surgery mot conventional dentists would suggest. Plus we are on medicaid for dental and there are absolutely NO good ped. dentists in my part of the state who accept that form of insurance.

Now. I have been researching tooth remineralization and we've started dealing with the nutritional things that caused the weakness in the first place. But I gotta know - what else can I do for her tooth? It doesn't bother her, it's a little wiggly, but not bad. I suspect it will look worse as time goes on, but I can handle cosmetic issues for a few years.

How was your appt this morning?

Watching and hoping for suggestions...

[maxwill129]

Basically the dentist said we would do nothing since it was her baby tooth and it will fall out in a few years. I did allowan xray of her tooth to make sure it wasn't fractured high up (which in case she would have needed a root canal!). It looks good and the permanant tooth is fine. He told me to watch out for infection, but that the likelyhood of infection is low. If it gets infected, it will have to be pulled so it doesn't cause the permanant tooth damage.

I really don't want my DD to have a gray tooth for the next 3 years! I know that sounds dumb, but I get so nervous about how self-concious she is (although when we talked about it and I told her her tooth would be gray until it falls out she shrugged her shoulders and said "That's okay mom.").

I'm going to do some research on things we can do for it. If I find out anything I will PM you!

[LauraLoo]

I had a gray baby tooth from a hard bump in the mouth when I was 3. I think I was about 6 when it finally fell out. I don't remember being very self conscious about it, but I definitely knew that it was gray. Whenever I said something about it, my parents just reminded me that eventually it would be replaced by a permanent tooth. That was enough for me. Some years later I had braces, which were much more noticeable and a lot more ugly, IMO!

My ds chipped a tooth when he was 2.5, and the tooth that's left (about 80%) is slightly gray. He still hasn't lost any of his baby teeth. I took him to the dentist to make sure there wasn't any root damage, and there wasn't, so it became a non-issue for me. Since he never says anything about it, I can only assume that he doesn't care, either.

I don't know about how self conscious your dd is, but if you are really stressed over this, she's bound to pick up on it. Over time, I bet you will notice it less and less -- and it will fall out, eventually!

[maxwill129]

Originally Posted by LauraLoo

I had a gray baby tooth from a hard bump in the mouth when I was 3. I think I was about 6 when it finally fell out. I don't remember being very self conscious about it, but I definitely knew that it was gray. Whenever I said something about it, my parents just reminded me that eventually it would be replaced by a permanent tooth. That was enough for me. Some years later I had braces, which were much more noticeable and a lot more ugly, IMO!

My ds chipped a tooth when he was 2.5, and the tooth that's left (about 80%) is slightly gray. He still hasn't lost any of his baby teeth. I took him to the dentist to make sure there wasn't any root damage, and there wasn't, so it became a non-issue for me. Since he never says anything about it, I can only assume that he doesn't care, either.

I don't know about how self conscious your dd is, but if you are really stressed over this, she's bound to pick up on it. Over time, I bet you will notice it less and less -- and it will fall out, eventually!

Good advice! Thank you!

[leila1213]

I had a gray tooth from about age 4 or 5 till it fell out. Seems that it was later than age 6. It was right in front, so yes, I was self-conscious about it. But I'm fine now!

I agree you should try to be nonchalant about it with your DD. The comment about not eating because her tummy was too big is really concerning! Do you say things like that about yourself? I would be finding and fixing the source of that problem ASAP, not worrying more about her appearance! You need to do the opposite - set an example of DE-emphasizing the importance of appearances - KWIM?

[maxwill129]

Originally Posted by leila1213

I had a gray tooth from about age 4 or 5 till it fell out. Seems that it was later than age 6. It was right in front, so yes, I was self-conscious about it. But I'm fine now!

I agree you should try to be nonchalant about it with your DD. The comment about not eating because her tummy was too big is really concerning! Do you say things like that about yourself? I would be finding and fixing the source of that problem ASAP, not worrying more about her appearance! You need to do the opposite - set an example of DE-emphasizing the importance of appearances - KWIM?

No, I don't say things like that in front of her, and I've told my parents, IL's, etc to make sure they never say things like "You're getting so big!" in reference to her growing up.

DD just said this again the other morning and I asked again where she heard it. She looked scared to tell me, then said "Elliot". Elliot is the little boy I nanny. He's five and can be very mean to my DD. We talked about it and she seems okay. I am done working for this family at the end of August. I'm trying to use this experience to teach DD to stick up for herself, but it will definately be a long summer, especially now that I know I can NEVER leave my DD and this boy alone together.

[Skim]

For what it's worth, my dd's gray tooth is doing OK - in fact, it seems to both DP and me that it's a little whiter, if that's possible. Now this gray tooth didn't have gray on the outside from her decay - it had a white line at the top near the gum. It was gray from her fall. And now, after a week of nutritional changes and homeopathy, we think we're seeing a difference.

Now, is it possible? Maybe. Does it really mean anything? I don't know. But it's enough for us to feel good about what we're doing so far. Now if I can just get my dd1 to not shove her little sister when they're arguing... I watched her fall on her face [to the bed] from a good shove today, and my heart skipped a beat. But it doesn't look like any more damage was done.

That's my little ray of sunshine for the day.

[leila1213]

Cool!