Dentist wants to pull DS's front 2 teeth. What do you think?

[disneyfanforever]

I took my DS who is 5 to the dentist today. We were told he has an abscess and would need the front two teeth (which have already been capped) pulled. I knew something was wrong because he has this pus pocket on his upper gum. It hadn't hurt and he hasn't run any fever. By the way, the pus pocket developed after he accidentally hit my husband's elbow while they were playing. The dentist who I really like took and x-ray before telling me what needs to be done. My DH thinks we should get a second opinion. He says DS didn't hit his elbow that hard and baby teeth don't even have roots. What do you guys think? It upsets me to think of DS having his 2 front teeth gone way before they are supposed to fall out even though there are far worse things.

I would definitely appreciate any opinions or advice. Thanks

 

[HeatherH]

I don't understand, they already CAPPED his baby teeth? I didn't think they capped baby teeth.

I have no advice other than a second opinion is never a bad idea. Hope it works out for your son.

OH, and there are PLENTY of five-year-olds missing their two front teeth, so if you decide to do it, he won't look out of place at all.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Hi, Dental Hygienist here.

Baby teeth certainly do have roots. Most likely your son did indeed hit your hubby's elbow hard enough to kill the tooth, it really doesn't take too hard of a hit to cause severe trauma in primary teeth. If the tooth is abscessing it will most likely take a root canal (pulpotomy in primary tooth) to save it. If your son is 5, his permanent teeth should be coming in very soon, that is probably why the dentist wants to pull them - so they will not damage the permanent teeth with the abscess. The dentist probably doesn't want to "save" the baby teeth and cause you a huge bill when they will just come out soon anyway.

He won't be snaggle toothed for too long.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Go see a periodontist or some specialist something pronto. I would be very concerned with the gums and infection.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

WHAT?!? baby teeth have roots! it's just because they receed by the time they come out so you don't see them. but you DEFINATLY have roots to your baby teeth.

if they're only baby teeth i really wouldn't worry about getting them removed. he'll get his adult teeth and there won't be a problem. if you don't get it taken care of soon, he could have further problems down the road with his adult teeth.

i went to school for Dental Assisting and i worked at 2 Dental offices, so just incase you're like "how does she know this?" that's how.

 

[MushyMushy]

My DD had to get her two front teeth pulled at that age too. She also had an abscess, poor thing.

If I might make a recommendation, I'd highly suggest you have this done in a hospital if they are using any kind of anesthesia. Do some research on it. I was glad we went this route with DD, because she had a pretty serious reaction to the anesthesia.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

When my daughter was 5--she had an absess. Dentist just said if it got worse to call and he would prescribe an antibiotic. He did x-ray to see if there was an underlying cause.

That same tooth just came out (with lots of effort) with most of its roots. (I can even take a picture for those that don't believe they have roots). Big tooth was coming in and was 75% in before we could force that baby tooth out. Since it didn't come out on top of the baby tooth--the roots didn't dissolve as they are supposed to. She had knocked that tooth when she was 1--so I think the absess and delayed falling out had something to do with that. Aside from the need to see an orthodontist b/c her tooth is now too far back--all is fine healthwise.

 

[Shugardrawers]

Another dental professional chiming in. If primary teeth didn't have roots they'd just fall right out of your head! The roots are reabsorbed by the body when it's time for them to be replaced by permanent teeth which is why you don't normally see them.

I agree with TM2, just have them removed. It'll save you a TON of money and he'll be none the worse for wear.

 

[Cinderella2004]

Baby teeth certainly do have roots. Most likely your son did indeed hit your hubby's elbow hard enough to kill the tooth, it really doesn't take too hard of a hit to cause severe trauma in primary teeth. If the tooth is abscessing it will most likely take a root canal (pulpotomy in primary tooth) to save it. If your son is 5, his permanent teeth should be coming in very soon, that is probably why the dentist wants to pull them - so they will not damage the permanent teeth with the abscess. The dentist probably doesn't want to "save" the baby teeth and cause you a huge bill when they will just come out soon anyway.

He won't be snaggle toothed for too long.

Another dental professional putting in my two cents!!! Also worked in a pedi practice for 7 years....we saw this quite often. Poor kiddos!!! Good luck, let us know how you both/all make out!!

 

[LBAK]

My youngest DD's were also capped. She too got an abcess and we had them pulled. Now see is 11 with beautiful teeth. It was more traumatic for me then for her.

 

[autumnbaby9]

The reason the dentist wants to remove the teeth is because if nothing is done they will continue to abscess the surrounding teeth. My niece hit one of her front teeth against a shopping cart when she was 18 months old. My not so Dsis did nothing about it and by the time we got custody of her and took her to a dentist her other front tooth was also damaged. They pulled both because there really is no point in paying for a root canal on baby teeth.

 

[disneyfanforever]

Thanks for all of the advice. It looks like we should just get them pulled. I know the dentist wanted to get them out soon so no other teeth (especially the permanent ones about them) would be affected. I think that was one of the reasons for the x-ray. We started antibiotics tonight and hopefully the abscess will start clearing up. The teeth are scheduled to be pulled in about a couple weeks. Do you think we need to go to a specialist for this type of thing? Our dentist is a pediatric dentist and we have always been very happy with him.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I honestly think you will be fine with your Pediatric dentist. Baby teeth come out so easily and he will probably give your son some "funny juice" before the shots to make him feel funny and dopey.

You will save yourself a whole lot of money by staying with the pediatric dentist. We pull kid's teeth all the time and most of the time they don't even know we have done it and that it is all over!

 

[Shugardrawers]

Thanks for all of the advice. It looks like we should just get them pulled. I know the dentist wanted to get them out soon so no other teeth (especially the permanent ones about them) would be affected. I think that was one of the reasons for the x-ray. We started antibiotics tonight and hopefully the abscess will start clearing up. The teeth are scheduled to be pulled in about a couple weeks. Do you think we need to go to a specialist for this type of thing? Our dentist is a pediatric dentist and we have always been very happy with him.

No. This is a pretty common procedure. Certainly nothing requiring a specialist. If you like him, stick with him. Good pedodontists are hard to find.

 

[cats mom]

I agree - you should be fine with your dentist.
Not a trauma situation, but I still remember when we were at a party and our dentist asked to take a look at DD's loose tooth - he popped it right out and she didn't even realize it was gone.

Be glad it happened with the primary teeth.
DS had to have root canals on both top front teeth when he took a baseball to the mouth this past summer.
He wears a mouth guard for sports now, but too little too late.

Like tiggersmom said, I guarantee it will cost WAAAY more for a specialist. Worth it if it's a tough procedure, but yours sounds like a pretty easy fix.

Good Luck to you and to your DS!

 

[Beth76]

You've had plenty of professional advice. I just want to tell you that my 5yo has lost his two bottom front teeth, so it's not too early. Believe me, I was shocked when I first saw his loose teeth. I thought it was way too early, but it wasn't.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

I honestly think you will be fine with your Pediatric dentist. Baby teeth come out so easily and he will probably give your son some "funny juice" before the shots to make him feel funny and dopey.

You will save yourself a whole lot of money by staying with the pediatric dentist. We pull kid's teeth all the time and most of the time they don't even know we have done it and that it is all over!

when i went to my orthodontist he used to pull my baby teeth out without any anesthetic......granted......he wasn't the nicest doctor, but nowadays they always give kids some kind of numbing before they pull teeth.

 

[autumnbaby9]

You've had plenty of professional advice. I just want to tell you that my 5yo has lost his two bottom front teeth, so it's not too early. Believe me, I was shocked when I first saw his loose teeth. I thought it was way too early, but it wasn't.

Same thing happened with my DD5 she has lost one of her bottom teeth and has another one loose. I was totally shocked when she told me her tooth was loose, I never lost a tooth until I was in 3rd grade.

 

[disneyfanforever]

Thanks everyone for all of the advice. When do the two front teeth (the ones he has to have pulled are the upper ones) usually fall out? I have heard 8 years old, but I think my older son lost his a little earlier than that. Also, do you think having them pulled so young will mess up his speech? I will miss his smile with those teeth gone.

 

[autumnbaby9]

Thanks everyone for all of the advice. When do the two front teeth (the ones he has to have pulled are the upper ones) usually fall out? I have heard 8 years old, but I think my older son lost his a little earlier than that. Also, do you think having them pulled so young will mess up his speech? I will miss his smile with those teeth gone.

My niece lost her two front teeth when she was 2 and has had no problems with speech or anything else. Just a whole bunch of "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth" .