I just want to cry

[mommy4ever]

My littlest one, now 4, has had dental issues from the age of 18 mo. I brush her teeth, I floss her teeth. At 18 months she lost a tooth, got a couple caps and a few fillings. 2 months later one of the teeth had an issue, brought her back in, they filed away the cavity, and said it shoudl be fine.

I'm paranoid about this tooth(front tooth, left of her center teeth, she lost the opposing one on the right). I bring her faithfully to the dentist for cleanings and check ups, I bring her in in between if I feel there's an issue. There's been none. Last night I'm flossing and it catches. I use a flashlight and check, and she's got a pretty significant cavity there. I'm so upset, I've been very diligent, I ALWAYS spend extra time on that area because it's a watch area. The teeth are so tiny, and having had a filling there already, there's not alot of tooth structure. I'm so scared they are going to have to pull it meaning she'll be missing 2 front teeth.Not the center ones, the ones to either side. I'm so frustrated that nothing I do seems to help her. It appears she has the start of 2 in her newest molars at the top. It's very hard for me to clean there as it causes her to gag.

My son almost never brushes(13yo) and has NEVER had a cavity, why does this little one have to deal with this? Last time we had to put her out under general to get the work done. I'm hoping to just sedate her to get it done. But I feel so horrible....

[changed4life]

Awwww...I'm so sorry you're feeling upset. Whenever anything is wrong with our children, moms feel it so much.

My friend always had what she referred to as "soft teeth." She has been sitting in a dentist chair since a very young age too.

I just think, like anything else, this happens to be your daughter's weak spot. Some people's teeth are not as strong as others.

Have you looked into alternative methods? Or, spoken with nutritionists, etc. Perhaps there's a nutrient her body is not absorbing or not getting enough of?

I wish I had the answers for you, but maybe you can research her dental problems in depth if you haven't already.

Blessings to you and your little one.

[jenloveschip2001]

It's not your fault. Sometimes these things just happen. I have had horrible teeth as long as I can remember. Dentist said he thought I was born without the protective coating on my teeth. I have had braces twice, retainers, fillings, caps, I even have had stitches in my mouth. Sometimes these things just happen. Sounds like your daughter has a pretty awasome mommy. You are doing everything you can and that is what matters. Maybe her permanant teeth will be perfect.

[YankeeMom]

Our dentist says it's all about genetics. Some people have weak enamel, allowing bacteria to invade & cause cavities easily. Some people (like me) have very wrinkly teeth where bacteria gets trapped and causes cavities. In my case, we also had well water when I was growing up so I didn't get enough fluoride. Combine that w/ having four children and my teeth are shot.

I have my oldest who didn't get her first cavity until she was 13, then my younger three who have each had 3-8 each!!

Don't beat yourself up. You're doing the best you can! I hope this latest trip to the dentist will be easy and without general.

[Dancing Lotus]

AWWWW.. I'm so sorry you are feeling bad. YOu are doing a great job and somethings just cant be explained. There is nothing more you can do then to help her take good care of her teeth.

[Michelle68]

As everyone else says, it's not your fault. You're doing all the right things for your DD. Our dentist also told me that these things have a lot to do with genetics.


--Michelle

[leezza]

Would it be effective to have that protective covering put on her teeth??? I know they are her babies and she will loose them but it may help her health....I am not aware of how much it costs.

leezza

[rachelMcK]

I was missing my to four front teeth from age 4 to age 9 (when they started to grow in). It wasn't very fun growing up. You're doing a great job though, taking this much care of them. My sister has the same issue as your daughter, she has very soft teeth and gets cavities quite often, just teach her proper care and take her to the dentist, thats really all you can do.

[Cricket1]

I know EXACTLY how you feel. DS#1 went to the dentist for the first time at age 3 and needed NINE fillings. I almost died. We also had a few BAD dentists and we've found one (after trying three others) that we LOVE. He has had three teeth pulled and numerous cavities. WE (he is now almost 7 and doesn't do any of his own dental care--we do it) brush him, floss him, and he rinses with kids' ACT. He also takes flouride pills.

I know you feel sooo helpless, but as our dds explained (and yankee mom)it's genetics. He has such soft teeth, he can look at a piece of candy and get a cavity. LOL. Fortunately, he's quite the trooper whenever we go to the dds. Oh yeah--and we bribe him constantly. LOL. Toys R Us is on the way back from the dds and we have been there after really tough dental visits.

He now has many fillings and we have been to the dds just two times in the last year (both were for cleanings).

It will get better. Oh--and he has been missing one of his front teeth for almost two years now! It got bumped and turned gray and had to be pulled.

We go this month for cleanings and I always hold my breath. The only thing we, as parents, can do is put on a brave face and talk about how the dds is so awesome because he/she helps us keep healthy.

Any time you need to cry on my shoulder about dds issues, feel free to do so! Oh and DS #2 has teeth of steel. Never a cavity.

[KJayEsq]

I had the same problems as a kid. My mom was diligent about taking care of my teeth and I ended up with a bunch of caps anyway and my brother did nothing to care for his teeth and never had a problem.

Rest assured that my adult teeth are absolutely perfect. I hear that some kids' baby teeth just aren't very strong and that seems to be the case with your daughter too.

[Neeley]

Been there and done that. DD's two top front teeth came in without any enamel on them. Thy had to be pulled at 18 months old. She had her first dental visit at 9 months old because her front teeth looked like someone took an ice pick and chipped in an upward direction. They just did not have enamel and had to come out.

She had a set of false teeth and were suppose to be permanent. Yea right. She figured out on a matter of days how to break the adhesive(the partial was put in with a permant adhesive) and pulled the partial out. After doing this for about a month(going back and forth to have the dentist "cement" it back in) we decided to let her go toothless. The dentist said it would not effect how her permanent teeth came in and she never had a bit of trouble eating. Plus, it gave her character - she was so cute without those teeth and no one ever made fun of her. She was actually complimented many times.

Long story short she went from age 18 months to 8 years old with no front teeth.

She then had two baby teeth on each side of her bottom front teeth(4 teeth total)come in fussed together - think of a siamese twin attached at the belly - that is how her teeth were - seperate root systems but one "body". This was not because of her previous issues - just bad genes. The dentist had to remove these teeth because he said they would have a hard time coming out on their own. That was a very painful experience for her.

DS has the most perfect teeth ever - he is the total opposite.


DD is now 14, been through braces and has had no probles whatsoever. She has good adult teeth and we are so thankful.


Don't beat yourself up or feel like it's your fault. These things just happen and many times there is nothing we can do to prevent it.

[Jo]

No time to read and respond now, but I can try to help you sort thru it all as soon as I get a chance Hang in there, you're not the only one this has happened to...even though it "feels" like they should come take your mommy license away.

[ms. frugal kugel]

I agree with the others - do NOT blame yourself. I did enough of that with my daughter! My youngest had awful dental problems with her 2 lower baby molars. I feel it was due to the fact that she totally rejected formula, and just did breast milk, then other fluids when she was old enough, so no major floride hits. I breastfed until she was 15 months, and didn't really think that she would have any dental troubles as my other daughter had none.

Now as for the sedation/pulling of the bad tooth - my daughter went to the dental school to have it done. It was a brief procedure - we just had to convince her to drink the blueish potion they gave her, which sort of worked as a local and had some kind of amnesia-like effect so she would not really remember the event. Then the numbing shot, and it was done. No stitches and no big hospital to-do. I wish I had gone to the school right away - we went/ were referred to 3 dentists in one day, all of whom said they didn't have the licenses to administer a seditive.

Oh I wish I could make it better for you. All I can say is that I've been there and you're doing the right thing by taking care of things and staying on top of the problems. Hang in there!

[halloweenfreak]

when i was younger, the dentist said that my back teeth had such deep grooves in them, it would be very difficult to keep them clean and cavitiy free. they filled them with a 'sealant' and i never had a cavity in my life. it wont help their front teeth, but it might be something to look into. no shots or anything is required, they just squirt the resin on the tooth and dry it with a light gun.

[Jskell911]

I can totally sympathize. My DS had to have general anesthesia at a hospital as outpatient surgery to fill cavities and do 5 extractions at the age of 9!

It is awful, but again, I'll say what everyone else is saying, it is definately NOT your fault!