baby tooth decay
by Kelly
After he finally let me inspect his teeth closer, I realized that they were rotting! What will happen to him? How could this have happened even when I brush his teeth every morning and evening? reply by Shelly ~ admin Hi Kelly, Thanks for writing. I'm sorry about your son's teeth. Before you panic, you should have them looked at. Certain types of stain and plaque or tarter buildup can resemble teeth that are decaying. If they are developing cavities, they can most likely be repaired with a tooth colored filling. Unless they are severly decayed to the point where more than half of the teeth are gone, I don't think pulling them will be an option. Age 2 is young to have dental treatment but it is possible. A children's dentist or pedodontist is a good choice for a child that age who needs treatment. Children's dentists are very good at providing good dental care without traumatizing the child. It is important to get his dental problems resolved in a way that doesn't make him fear dentists. Many adults attribute their dental phobia to bad dental experiences when they were kids. He may need some type of sedation. Pedodontists are used to working on kids while they are sedated with nitrous oxide or pre medicated with a prescribed medication. Just because he has cavities now, does not necessarily mean his permanent teeth will be cavity prone. Baby teeth have thinner enamel and develop cavities faster. Your dentist can advise you on how to prevent future cavities. The main cause of baby tooth decay is sugar. He shouldn't have juice in a bottle or sippy cup....just milk or water. He should not go to sleep with a bottle unless it's just water. Age 2 is young for fluoride, but some childrens dentists may recommend it considering he has cavities already. You may need to adjust the way you are brushing his teeth. Brushing technique is just as important as frequency. Good luck, ~Shelly~ |
