[tylerdylan]

DS's teeth are turning grey (one bottom and two top teeth). I've heard of this happening during chemo, but can't find much on the internet on it. Did this happen to anyone? DS has been on chemo for 3 months now (14 treatments). His bottom tooth turned grey about 2 months ago and now the top two are starting to turn grey. Can I blame the chemo or should I figure out a different cause?

 

[lindberg99]

Poor little guy, why does he need chemo?

Have you taken him into see a dentist at all? It seems like that would be the easiest way to figure out what is going on. I don't know anything about chemo's effects on teeth but it seems odd that it is only affecting certain teeth. When people get staining from tetracycline, isn't it all throughout their mouths?

 

[tylerdylan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindberg99 Poor little guy, why does he need chemo? Have you taken him into see a dentist at all? It seems like that would be the easiest way to figure out what is going on. I don't know anything about chemo's effects on teeth but it seems odd that it is only affecting certain teeth. When people get staining from tetracycline, isn't it all throughout their mouths?

Good point - makes sense that if it were the chemo it should be all of his teeth. We haven't been to the dentist yet because he's just been through too much lately and I know it will be a traumatic experience for him (brushing his teeth is nightmare enough).
(DS has a brain tumour since you asked - his prognosis is fairly good though so we are hopeful...).

 

[tylerdylan]

With each day DS's teeth turn greyer and greyer. They are all grey now, though still some more than others. So, it looks like it must be the chemo doing this??? OR I just did some online research and learned that iron deficiency can cause this. DS is anaemic and has been taking iron supplements (in solution) for one week now which is right about when his teeth started turning grey. Some sites say it's the iron deficiency that causes the discolouring and other sites say it is too much iron that causes it. Does anyone know? Does anyone know if this will reverse once the chemo is stopped or anaemia reversed? Is there anything we can do for them? They look awful. At least they are just his baby teeth...

 

[Koalamom]

My grandma had chemo years ago, and it basically destroyeed most of her teeth. But the worst was on her front teeth. She had to get caps and they look normal. I had no idea that she went through this since the dental work looks so good. Chemo is designed to kill, and will deaden nerves all over the body. Teeth are included. I am so sorry about your little one and a tumor.
Blessings!

 

[Koalamom]

I just talked to my husband and he mentioned that his uncle had chemo for throat cancer, and he started out with beautiful teeth, and ended up loosing all of them and now wears dentures.

I don't know much what to do to prevent the chemo from damaging his teeth. Good thing they are baby teeth. I would normally recommend oxygenating supplements, (that actually stops cancer growth) but I don't know if they can be taken during chemo.

 

[WuWei]

Ds's tooth became grey just before it developed a cavity and broke. It wasn't fast, over months. But, I didn't think much of the grey, until the tooth started looking brown and then it cracked off.

There are a lot of gut healing alternatives that help with nutrient absorption and support the immune system. Basically, when the ph of the gut is out of balance, the ph in the other orifices is out of balance and the "bad" bacteria grow and cause cavities, yeast, thrush, etc. Enamel on the baby teeth is related to nutrient availability (calcium, magnesium and phosphorus), and nutrient absorption in the gut also.

Several easy things to do are coconut oil, cod liver oil, bone broths, magnesium, zinc, vit C, probiotics, especially whole food probiotics. There is a thread "Healing the Gut" with more ideas: http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=434071

Sorry you all are going through so much.

Pat

 

[tylerdylan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by WuWei Ds's tooth became grey just before it developed a cavity and broke. It wasn't fast, over months. But, I didn't think much of the grey, until the tooth started looking brown and then it cracked off. There are a lot of gut healing alternatives that help with nutrient absorption and support the immune system. Basically, when the ph of the gut is out of balance, the ph in the other orifices is out of balance and the "bad" bacteria grow and cause cavities, yeast, thrush, etc. Enamel on the baby teeth is related to nutrient availability (calcium, magnesium and phosphorus), and nutrient absorption in the gut also. Several easy things to do are coconut oil, cod liver oil, bone broths, magnesium, zinc, vit C, probiotics, especially whole food probiotics. There is a thread "Healing the Gut" with more ideas: http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=434071 Sorry you all are going through so much. Pat

Thanks. This is interesting too because DS had 2 major infections back to back about a month ago and was on really strong antibiotics for 20 days to prevent his blood from becoming septic. I really should get him on some probiotics. Do they make them for kids or do I just get regular adult probiotics?

 

[WuWei]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylerdylan I really should get him on some probiotics. Do they make them for kids or do I just get regular adult probiotics?

Yes. They make them for children. However, whole food probiotics have billions and billions more probiotic benefit than tablets.

Easy resources are yogurt, kefir, kombucha. Which can all be purchased at a natural food store.

Pat

 

[tylerdylan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by WuWei Yes. They make them for children. However, whole food probiotics have billions and billions more probiotic benefit than tablets. Easy resources are yogurt, kefir, kombucha. Which can all be purchased at a natural food store. Pat

Yeah, right!! There is no way my picky little eater will eat kefir or kombucha. He eats yogurt everyday (I even splurge and get him the Activia with the BL cultures), but his diet is REALLY REALLY limited and he refuses to try new things. I've personally never eaten these things either - can they be snuck into anything??

 

[WuWei]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylerdylan I've personally never eaten these things either - can they be snuck into anything??

Yep. Into pudding, juice, smoothies, anything cold or creamy, ice cream, popsicles, milk in cereal, vegetables, mac & cheese...

One tablespoon is the equivalent of many tablets.

Pat

 

[tylerdylan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by WuWei Yep. Into pudding, juice, smoothies, anything cold or creamy, ice cream, popsicles, milk in cereal, vegetables, mac & cheese... One tablespoon is the equivalent of many tablets. Pat

Which one has the more mild taste???