What can they tell about adult teeth on dental x-rays at 17 months?

[Jennifer H]

DS (16 months) has white spots and pits on the enamel of his front teeth and when I brought him in she discovered 4 cavities :(.

We're still deciding what to do, but what is recommended is that while he is under GA they plan to do x-rays and a cleaning as well as the fillings.

DH is missing some teeth (they never came in) and had some "peg" teeth (baby teeth never fell out and there were no adult teeth present anyway). DH's front teeth are all capped, his molars are all normal.

Since others in dh's family have this as well, I'm always concerned that my kids could inherit it. Of course with Dane's poor enamel I'm concerned that these baby teeth might be his only set and will that leave us with anything to work with later?

Will they be able to tell if he has adult teeth with the X-rays at this point?

Thank you!!

[javamama]

I know that our pediatric dentist does a full mouth xray whenever the 6 year molars come in b/c they get the best information about adult teeth at that time. Incidentally, dd had her xray and we found out that she is missing one of the laterals and the other is peg shaped. I guess this is a common thing. Easily correctable (expensive, I'd imagine).

[simonee]

I looked in the archives, but couldn't find the info. However, the reason I looked it the archives was that I seem to remember that smilemomma once said that the permanent teeth start developing a couple of years before they erupt. Which would mean that they're not there yet, but will likely be visible (esp the ones in front) when he's 3 or so.

Then again, I'm not fully sure. So don't quote me on it :)

[Smilemomma]

:(

[Jennifer H]

Thanks for setting my mind at ease. I think we'll need a dental savings plan for Dane rather than a college one!

We did go ahead with the GA and had all the work done at once. This was done in the office with an anesthesilogist from our local children's hospital (Oakland, CA). The anesthesiologist was fabulous by the way! Answered all my questions. Of course of a $1600 bill, insurance only covered $400, so it was a big expense for us as well.

The worst part is that I got reamed for his teeth not being clean. Well, I don't know how to fix that. We brush twice a day... I even try to floss (his teeth are close together). I get huge kudos for how clean my other son's teeth are (same cleaning regimen). The office staff looked at me like I was a liar. I felt about an inch tall when we left there with my groggy baby.

We are set for a six month check up this month. Dread is all I can say... The areas above where the fillings were look horrible (yellow with indents) and even after brushing I can scrape stuff off with my finger nail.

[malamamama]

It sounds like his bacteria levels are probably way high. And while that regimen is good for your older son, your younger son probably needs more aggressive cleaning to clear that bacteria. This is where I am at with my 3 yr old. We brush twice a day with flouride and in between times with non flouride. Plus we "paint on" ACT flouride treatment at night with a q-tip, and floss every night. Her decay started early on at 15 months, but we didn't do the work until 27 months. 6 months later she had 2 more cavities. :(. So now we are working on these next few months in hopes of a "clear" check up in December.
Also do you know that grapes, apples, cheese, nuts & nut butters all help to eliminate the bacteria and/or neutralize the acids on the teeth? You might step up those foods.
I know how frustrating and disappointing this can be. I never imagined such dental problems so early on!!!!! Let us know how your check up goes.....:)

[babyblues_36]

[B][COLOR=deeppink] Hi there, I prefer not fluoride treatment, because i know it is toxic fertilicer waste, but i use xylitol (100%natural sweetener) for brushing and also for sweetening it is known for remineralicing teeth.:D

[Jennifer H]

As far as brushing more often, I don't think the dcp would do that(shhhhhh! I know I'm not really allowed to be here since I am a WOHM).

He already eats a ton of cheese, apples and grapes. I'll try to add nutbutters now that he is past his second birthday!

Thanks for the advice!

Tomorrow is the day... wish us luck!!