Your dentist is wrong, if it is possible I would get a second opinion. A second dentist might also be willing to treat your dd in the office. My ds is 19months and just had some fillings done with in office sedation too. His dentist also felt the cavities were due to night nursing but I strongly disagree and am not willing to consider night weaning at this point. You might do a search over on kellymom, there are a few good articles on there. Also check out the Dental subforum of Health and Healing.
Dentist says I have to wean
Dd is almost three and we just came from the dentist and its bad. She needs seven crowns, five fillings, she has an abcess. She had to get antibiotics for the infection. She'll have to be sedated to have the work done. Im scared to have her sedated, it has to be done in a hospital in the OR. Its gonna cost more than twice what my yearly benefit is. Most disturbing of all, the dentist insists that I quit nursing. She says if I dont, it will ruin her permanet teeth as they can start decaying BEFORE they erupt.
She said that the immuniological benefits of bf are gone by age three, which I know isnt true. She said that she doesnt need it for nutriton despite her horrible eating habits (dd is getting therapy for a feeding disorder) that she can be given ensure (dd barely drinks out of a cup or bottle, days when she doesnt nurse much she gets constipated already) and that her weight is fine, so she must be ok nutritionally (her weights ok becasue I bf, the therapist who evaled her for the feeding disorder even said if I hadnt been bf, she could have ended up on a feeding tube, whenI was pregnant and my milk dried up, she dropped from the 50th percentile down to the fifth and shot back up when the milk returned with ds2's birth.
Then again, mabye she doesnt have a feeding disorder after all (they never could find a cause, strength is good in her oral muscles etc though her skills are delayed, ie she has trouble bringing food togather in a bolus for swallowing but thats just theory as no one can see inside her mouth while she eats, she refused to participate in the swallow study) maybe its the toothache that makes her not want to bite solids, she needs smaller bites and mushier foods than her 14mo old brother. Maybe its been the teeth keeping her from eating all along.
So, is the dentist right, that the ill effects on her teeth outweigh any benefits of bf at this point?
Anyone else have this problem? I dont really want to wean her. Scratch that, I would love to have my body back, but I dont want to force her to wean before SHES ready,but I dojnt want to ruin her teeth either!!! HELP!
She said that the immuniological benefits of bf are gone by age three, which I know isnt true. She said that she doesnt need it for nutriton despite her horrible eating habits (dd is getting therapy for a feeding disorder) that she can be given ensure (dd barely drinks out of a cup or bottle, days when she doesnt nurse much she gets constipated already) and that her weight is fine, so she must be ok nutritionally (her weights ok becasue I bf, the therapist who evaled her for the feeding disorder even said if I hadnt been bf, she could have ended up on a feeding tube, whenI was pregnant and my milk dried up, she dropped from the 50th percentile down to the fifth and shot back up when the milk returned with ds2's birth.
Then again, mabye she doesnt have a feeding disorder after all (they never could find a cause, strength is good in her oral muscles etc though her skills are delayed, ie she has trouble bringing food togather in a bolus for swallowing but thats just theory as no one can see inside her mouth while she eats, she refused to participate in the swallow study) maybe its the toothache that makes her not want to bite solids, she needs smaller bites and mushier foods than her 14mo old brother. Maybe its been the teeth keeping her from eating all along.
So, is the dentist right, that the ill effects on her teeth outweigh any benefits of bf at this point?
Anyone else have this problem? I dont really want to wean her. Scratch that, I would love to have my body back, but I dont want to force her to wean before SHES ready,but I dojnt want to ruin her teeth either!!! HELP!
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I would switch dentists. I also think she is wrong, your Dd would have more than likely had this problem whether you breastfed for three years or one week.
i too think the dentist is wrong. you already know that she was wrong about other things (immunological benefits etc) so it should be easier for you to believe she is wrong on this too. any chance you can switch practices?
good luck.
good luck.
Your dentist is wrong. I have quite a few children and even in the same family and extended nursings we have different children with different types of teeth. I one dd who has bad brushing and flossing habits and never gets a cavity and another who has really excellent brushing habits and gets cavities quite easily. From what you have discribed the last thing I personally would do is wean your child. Sounds like she needs the breastmilk. I would find another dentist and follow your gut instincts. I find when I follow my heart and what my mama intuition is saying things are better. I regret it when I don't. Dentists really do not know much about nursing.
You do NOT need to stop nursing.
My 6yo had dental issues from early on. We took her to the dentist the first time at age 15 months. Her teeth were breaking off, but only the top, front four. The dentist told me I needed to wean for the same reasons yours did.
My dd has some of her permanent, adult teeth now. They are fine. I never weaned her. She had an abcess and surgery to get the cracked off teeth-stubs pulled when she was about 3yo. We chose to put her under and paid the difference. It turned out very well and she doesn't remember getting the teeth pulled (I didn't want her to have dentist trauma) nor does she ever remember being in any pain (she never complained abt her teeth prior to getting them pulled, either).
Do not wean your dd. She very obviously needs your milk to survive. And, you are helping her teeth, not harming them, by continuing to breastfeed. As far as I know, the baby "milk" teeth are formed in the womb. The permanent adult teeth are formed after the child is on this side and breastfeeding helps them out.
Definately get any infected teeth worked on (our dentist didn't prescribe an antibiotic b/c he told us the abcess would go away as soon as the teeth were pulled and he was right) and pulled, if necessary. I would sedate her to do it. But don't wean.
My 6yo had dental issues from early on. We took her to the dentist the first time at age 15 months. Her teeth were breaking off, but only the top, front four. The dentist told me I needed to wean for the same reasons yours did.
My dd has some of her permanent, adult teeth now. They are fine. I never weaned her. She had an abcess and surgery to get the cracked off teeth-stubs pulled when she was about 3yo. We chose to put her under and paid the difference. It turned out very well and she doesn't remember getting the teeth pulled (I didn't want her to have dentist trauma) nor does she ever remember being in any pain (she never complained abt her teeth prior to getting them pulled, either).
Do not wean your dd. She very obviously needs your milk to survive. And, you are helping her teeth, not harming them, by continuing to breastfeed. As far as I know, the baby "milk" teeth are formed in the womb. The permanent adult teeth are formed after the child is on this side and breastfeeding helps them out.
Definately get any infected teeth worked on (our dentist didn't prescribe an antibiotic b/c he told us the abcess would go away as soon as the teeth were pulled and he was right) and pulled, if necessary. I would sedate her to do it. But don't wean.
check out the dental health sub forum in health and healing, VERY helpful.
I agree, your dentist is wrong. Breastfeeding does not degrade the teeth, in fact it helps the teeth. They think of it like formula which is bad if it pools on their teeth.
In fact a few issues back Mothering had a really great article on how important breastfeeding is to oral development. I'd get a copy for her/him.
In fact a few issues back Mothering had a really great article on how important breastfeeding is to oral development. I'd get a copy for her/him.
Ditto what everyone else said.
But I wanted to add that I was curious about the recommendations for crowns for non-permanent teeth?!? Not only is that a lot of money, but pretty invasive for a little one. I second the second-opinion recommendation.
My son had two abcesses -- nothing to do with nursing (he was long finished) and our very adept paed. dentist shrugged them off as 'one of those things' (we did treat them).
But I wanted to add that I was curious about the recommendations for crowns for non-permanent teeth?!? Not only is that a lot of money, but pretty invasive for a little one. I second the second-opinion recommendation.
My son had two abcesses -- nothing to do with nursing (he was long finished) and our very adept paed. dentist shrugged them off as 'one of those things' (we did treat them).
Dentists are not experts in human lactation. Do not take a dentist's advice about lactation.
While it is very possible that her tooth pain is causing her eating problems, that is a totally separate issue from the breastfeeding. Get her teeth fixed and see how she does then.
In my experience, finding a dentist who won't spew BS about nursing is very hard. I'd just ignore the advice just as you would if your mechanic started giving you legal advice.
My son had to get dental work at 5 and was *very* afraid. I don't think sedation is the end of the world, certainly better than restraining a child. With that said, we didn't use it - I bribed him into the seat and used nitrous oxide, which made it quite easy on him. It all went fine once he had the gas. I'm sure that's not the most popular technique here, but it worked for us without traumatizing him.
In my experience, finding a dentist who won't spew BS about nursing is very hard. I'd just ignore the advice just as you would if your mechanic started giving you legal advice.
My son had to get dental work at 5 and was *very* afraid. I don't think sedation is the end of the world, certainly better than restraining a child. With that said, we didn't use it - I bribed him into the seat and used nitrous oxide, which made it quite easy on him. It all went fine once he had the gas. I'm sure that's not the most popular technique here, but it worked for us without traumatizing him.
While it is very possible that her tooth pain is causing her eating problems, that is a totally separate issue from the breastfeeding. Get her teeth fixed and see how she does then.
In my experience, finding a dentist who won't spew BS about nursing is very hard. I'd just ignore the advice just as you would if your mechanic started giving you legal advice.
My son had to get dental work at 5 and was *very* afraid. I don't think sedation is the end of the world, certainly better than restraining a child. With that said, we didn't use it - I bribed him into the seat and used nitrous oxide, which made it quite easy on him. It all went fine once he had the gas. I'm sure that's not the most popular technique here, but it worked for us without traumatizing him.
In my experience, finding a dentist who won't spew BS about nursing is very hard. I'd just ignore the advice just as you would if your mechanic started giving you legal advice.
My son had to get dental work at 5 and was *very* afraid. I don't think sedation is the end of the world, certainly better than restraining a child. With that said, we didn't use it - I bribed him into the seat and used nitrous oxide, which made it quite easy on him. It all went fine once he had the gas. I'm sure that's not the most popular technique here, but it worked for us without traumatizing him.
I take back what I said in my previous post. I wouldn't switch your dental care if you are happy with her in every way but on this one issue.
If you stay with her (and even if you don't) maybe take this opportunity to get some literature together and politely present to her some information about breastfeeding and teeth.
If I come across some information I'll post it.
If you stay with her (and even if you don't) maybe take this opportunity to get some literature together and politely present to her some information about breastfeeding and teeth.
If I come across some information I'll post it.
Breastfeeding does not cause tooth decay. It does not pool in the mouth, or drip after baby has stopped sucking like an artificial nipple does. According to the latest copy of THe Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, research has shown that human milk with no other sugars in the mouth does NOT cause tooth decay. There is a genetic predisposition to tooth decay, bacteria causes it, and sometimes even the mother taking antibiotics when she was pregnant. This is not due to nursing. Please get a second opinion if possible.
Dont worry, Im not weaning. Glad I posted here and waited for replies, also I did some research and found out what you all said! I kinda thought that myself, I mean Im of the opinion that we are not made, by God or evolution or whatever you believe, WRONG, and since I know that babies are designed to bf for about five or six years, I already felt that I knew it was bad advice, but then shes a dentist and would know about tooth decay right? Not in this case it seems.
Thanks so much for the links, the advice on other sites and pointing me to the dental subforum here (didnt know it existed!)
I DO like this dentist in everyother respect....she let me go back, staff very friendly, very open to working with my on payment issues, very nice to dd, never pushed her. I mean, dd cries when nice strangers (and sometimes friends or relatives) smile and say hi to her and she let them take xrays with no trauma or fuss whatsoever!! But I will do some more thourough research and present it to her. She may or may not read it with an open mind, but I will present it nonconfrontationally.
The reason for the crowns is, those teeth are so far gone,there wont be much left once cleaned out. Its that or pull them I guess.
Hmmmm, would it be better to pull those and leave the rest alone? But thats like seven of her 20 teeth! Almosthalf! I want her to be able to chew!!
Thanks so much for the links, the advice on other sites and pointing me to the dental subforum here (didnt know it existed!)
I DO like this dentist in everyother respect....she let me go back, staff very friendly, very open to working with my on payment issues, very nice to dd, never pushed her. I mean, dd cries when nice strangers (and sometimes friends or relatives) smile and say hi to her and she let them take xrays with no trauma or fuss whatsoever!! But I will do some more thourough research and present it to her. She may or may not read it with an open mind, but I will present it nonconfrontationally.
The reason for the crowns is, those teeth are so far gone,there wont be much left once cleaned out. Its that or pull them I guess.
Hmmmm, would it be better to pull those and leave the rest alone? But thats like seven of her 20 teeth! Almosthalf! I want her to be able to chew!!
My ds had to have oral surgery just before his 3rd birthday, too. He had to have 5 crowns and 5 fillings. My dentist did hint at bf contributing, but I guess she knew better than to tell me to wean. He is still nursing although nothing like he was back then. My second ds is going to have to have some dental work very soon- at least one crown. He just turned 2 in February. We just have bad teeth. I had to have two crowns and 8 filings this year, and I am not nursing!
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I also wanted to add that we did find ds1 was able to eat a little better after he had his teeth fixed. He was a horrible eater, but his turned out to be from severe anemia causing him to have very little appetite.
I also wanted to add that we did find ds1 was able to eat a little better after he had his teeth fixed. He was a horrible eater, but his turned out to be from severe anemia causing him to have very little appetite.
I agree with all the PP's. Although my dd's dental problems only involve a very small pre cavety decay spot, the first thing the dentist told me was that we had to wean or her teeth would becojme horribly decayed. This was the same dentist who insisted that my bm would decay her teeth, but cows jmilk or ensure or whatever would not. He also tried to shove flouride on us, which I refused adamently. Fire your dentist, and find a new one. My current goal is to find more foods and increase the amount that I and my kids eat that contain calcium flouro-phosphate which is the SALT found naturally in some foods, that helps keep bones and teeth strong and healthy (not the same as sodium flouride - a poisen - that dentists use, is in lots of municiple water supplies, and many toothpastes).
gl
Misty
gl
Misty
Quote:
Yes, and she's got several more years before she loses them. Perhaps if it saves you any money, they coudl pull just one or two and crown the rest.
An interesting thing - the one tooth with a crown my son had fell out much sooner than all his other molars - a year earlier.
Originally Posted by Anglyn Hmmmm, would it be better to pull those and leave the rest alone? But thats like seven of her 20 teeth! Almosthalf! I want her to be able to chew!! |
An interesting thing - the one tooth with a crown my son had fell out much sooner than all his other molars - a year earlier.
Time for a new dentist. Breastfeeding will help her fight any infections that are in her mouth and keep her immune system strong and fighting any that are deeper down.
Sorry to hear what your DD is going through though.
Sorry to hear what your DD is going through though.
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