Is there a dentist in the house?

[NicoleWisconsin]

it is good to see the procedure went well. Have you considered Sealants for his molars? They help keep the back teeth cavity free along with good dental care. They are used a lot with kids prone to cavities for reasons other than dental care (soft teeth, heredity). I can't remember the recommended age for them. It might be a couple years off depending on what molars he has now.

I am a dental assistant and I just have to say... sealants do not keep the teeth cavity free. What the sealants do is fill in the grooves on the top surface of the teeth that are so tiny, not even a toothbrush bristle can fit in them. However, bacteria can get in them and cause cavities... But you can still get cavities... There are 5 surfaces on a tooth and the sealant takes care of the top only and sometimes, the dentist will seal the side, but the second most common type of cavity is between the teeth, which sealants can not help with.

I just didn't want anyone to have the misconception that if their child got a sealant, they couldn't ever get a cavity.

The sealants are generally done on permanent molars after they are fully in. Sometimes, bicuspids, too.

To the OP, I've seen teeth that never have had a cavity abscess. It can be related to trauma as well. It's wrong for someone to say that the dentist didn't remove all of the decay or assume so without seeing an x-ray or the tooth. I'd just get a second opinion and do what you think is best for your child.

 

[budbeerlady]

Hey OP. DD had a tooth absess. The dentist first tried to take care of it, DD was a tropper but it didnt work and she was not healing. We ended up at a great oral surgeon who took it out. Then we were recommended by him to a pediatric dentist who put in a spacer for her. And we continue to trust the pediatric dentist, he is great with DD.

Now the tooth absessed because I took her to the dentist at 8am to avoid her from missing too much school. The dentist wasnt in but they took x-rays for him to look at. They would call if there was a reason for her to be seen. I never got the phone call so I assumed like the visit before all was good. She had a cavity and has soft teeth. I felt so bad and also let their office know how unhappy I was with the situation.

 

[Miz Diz]

To the OP, I've seen teeth that never have had a cavity abscess. It can be related to trauma as well. It's wrong for someone to say that the dentist didn't remove all of the decay or assume so without seeing an x-ray or the tooth. I'd just get a second opinion and do what you think is best for your child.

Thanks so much. I had the 2nd opinion today. At first glance, the dentist said she could not tell it was absessed and was surprised, so she took an xray - which I had a copy of the xray, but it was printed and she couldn't see it that well. After looking at her xray, she said it definitely needed to be extracted because the absess is deep down in the root. She also told me that she did not know why it absessed, but does not think it is because there is any decay that was left behind. She took the time to explain that a baby root canal is an option, but not in this case. If she did one, she was certain it would fail and she was sure this is what the other dentist felt, too.

I was thankful that she took the time to explain everything. She even showed me on the xray where his permanent teeth are and said that it looks like they will come a little early, so he won't be with the spacer as long as I thought. Like I said before - I asked the other dentist if there are any other options and she said no and I did consider that she said no because she did not feel the root canal would be appropriate in this case, but I wish she would have gone into more detail. Especially when I expressed a concern with having his tooth pulled out.

I am going to continue with the new dentist. I liked her a lot better and didn't feel like we were being rushed out.

I hate that he is having a tooth removed, but I do feel much better about it now.

 

[Miz Diz]

Hey OP. DD had a tooth absess. The dentist first tried to take care of it, DD was a tropper but it didnt work and she was not healing. We ended up at a great oral surgeon who took it out. Then we were recommended by him to a pediatric dentist who put in a spacer for her. And we continue to trust the pediatric dentist, he is great with DD.

Now the tooth absessed because I took her to the dentist at 8am to avoid her from missing too much school. The dentist wasnt in but they took x-rays for him to look at. They would call if there was a reason for her to be seen. I never got the phone call so I assumed like the visit before all was good. She had a cavity and has soft teeth. I felt so bad and also let their office know how unhappy I was with the situation.

Poor thing! Thanks for your input.

 

[klj27]

I am glad you got the second opinion and the new dentist was able to answer all of your questions.

 

[budbeerlady]

Glad it worked out OP!!!!

 

[Bibbidi]

My son just turned 7. He had his first dentist appointment last August and had 2 cavities (each on different sides). One of the cavities was so small, they didn't have to numb him. They filled the cavity in September.

Last week, I took him to the dentist for his 6 month cleaning/checkup. The tooth that had the very small cavity is now absessed. I asked the dentist why that would happen - Is it because he is not brushing properly? She said, no that sometimes the baby tooth rejects the filling and makes it get absessed. I thought it was strange that the tooth that had the minor cavity was absessed, but the other not, but I did not question it. She recommended pulling the tooth and putting in a spacer. I asked her if there were any other options and she told me no and that she recommends pulling it.

I asked 2 friends who are dental hygienists about this. They both said they have never heard of a tooth getting absessed because it is rejecting the filling. THey both think all of the decay was not taken out - thus causing the absessed. They both also told me that there is an option of him getting a baby root canal. They did not know which was more painful, but both feel it is probably better to save the tooth. This is the #L tooth that my son will not lose until he is about 10-12. They both recommended I get a second opinion.

I am going to make an appointment with another doctor, but is there anything else I need to know? Any dentists here have any recommendations (Even though I am still going for another opinion) on taking the tooth out vs baby root canal?

It is cheaper for us to have it taken out, but we are not concerned with the cost - just what is better for our son.

You know-- my 6 yo dd had two fillings in October and both resulted in abscesses in the teeth - one a week after the filling and one two months later. She had to have both teeth removed. I had never heard of such a thing before either, because like your son, she didn't have any novocaine for the fillings so they weren't "deep".

My BIL and SIL are a dentist and hygienist and from what they said it does happen, but not often that children end up with abscesses from fillings. My daughter both times got hugely swollen cheeks and and severe mouth pain because I didn't actually know it was her tooth causing the trouble in spite of looking in her mouth. The second time I actually took her to the pediatrician as well because the antibiotics weren't working and her left cheek got scary huge. Anyway, just wanted to let you know there are others of us out here with a strange, but similar problem. My daughter was just fitted for one of her spacers last week and the other will have to wait until summer when her 6 year molar breaks through in the back. She now sees a pediatric dentist because I wasn't happy with our general dentist. When he pulled the teeth all he did was give her novocaine, no offer of laughing gas/etc. At least she's all better now. It's so hard on the kids though. I hope your son is doing well.

 

[parnell2@bellsouth.n]

My son just turned 7. He had his first dentist appointment last August and had 2 cavities (each on different sides). One of the cavities was so small, they didn't have to numb him. They filled the cavity in September.

Last week, I took him to the dentist for his 6 month cleaning/checkup. The tooth that had the very small cavity is now absessed. I asked the dentist why that would happen - Is it because he is not brushing properly? She said, no that sometimes the baby tooth rejects the filling and makes it get absessed. I thought it was strange that the tooth that had the minor cavity was absessed, but the other not, but I did not question it. She recommended pulling the tooth and putting in a spacer. I asked her if there were any other options and she told me no and that she recommends pulling it.

I asked 2 friends who are dental hygienists about this. They both said they have never heard of a tooth getting absessed because it is rejecting the filling. THey both think all of the decay was not taken out - thus causing the absessed. They both also told me that there is an option of him getting a baby root canal. They did not know which was more painful, but both feel it is probably better to save the tooth. This is the #L tooth that my son will not lose until he is about 10-12. They both recommended I get a second opinion.

I am going to make an appointment with another doctor, but is there anything else I need to know? Any dentists here have any recommendations (Even though I am still going for another opinion) on taking the tooth out vs baby root canal?

It is cheaper for us to have it taken out, but we are not concerned with the cost - just what is better for our son.

I am a dental hygienist (20Yrs)and work for a dentist who sees only children. Anytime a tooth has treatment like a filling it can cause trauma to the nerve. In baby teeth once the nerve dies the only option is to extract the tooth and maintain the space with a spacer. If the infected tooth remains the infection could spread leading to the need for IV antibiotics. This can also damage the permanent tooth. Baby teeth can have a pulpotomy (like a root canal). This can only be done in the case of deep decay or nerve exposure. Once the nerve dies, extraction is the only treatment. Do not beat yourself up for this. It happens and there is no way to predict it. Hope this helps.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Just some reassurance here, DS9 had one of his back teeth pulled at 7. (I do have dental insurance, he's been going since before he was 3, and he was not a bottle baby ) He had his tooth pulled by an oral surgeon and it was very quick. He also had a spacer put in a couple of weeks later. It only took him a little while to get used to it and it doesn't bother him at all and can't be seen when he smiles.

 

[hemispheredancer]

My son had a cavity that became abcessed. DDS referred him to another DDS that specialized in root canals. DS had this done. He was uncomfortable the first day. After that he was fine. Less than a year later it became abcessed again. Our DDS decided the best option was to pull it. So, he had it pulled and that was no problem. Went to the ortho to have a space maintainer put in. That was jsut taken out less than 6 months ago. I would say he had that for 18-20 months.

 

[brenalexacamp]

never heard of a tooth rejecting a filling
I am a dental hygienist.
The decay was not cleaned out or got contaminated while doing the filling-which can happen with a squirmy child.

I would never put a child through a root canal-just too long of a procedure and it makes big bucks for the office.

it will be a piece of cake to take the tooth out and put a space maintainer in.
you will need to hold the space for the new tooth to grow in about12-13 years old.

i would take your child to a pediatric dentist for another opinion especially on the other tooth that was filled. Sometimes in development, if a chid ahs a high fever while teeth are developing there will be a weak tooth-it usually and it's usually the same tooth on the other side.

just make sure that tooth was cleaned out well

I must tell you i have been working for 3 pedi dentists and have yet to see a root canal done or scheduled. And I have a child with special needs and I feel your worry.

 

[Newcastle]

...A few weeks later my ds had his cavity filled by our new dentist, without the use of narcotics or putting him under at the hospital. DS did great and they were done in less than 30 minutes...

If you don't mind me asking, how did they go about doing this? We went the narcotic route and it was pretty unpleasant (for reasons that I won't get into here) so I was wondering what some other potential options might be. Needless to say, my daughter is a tad weary of the dentist now but I'm afraid that she might be getting another cavity and I'm trying to explore some other options. Thanks!

 

[Minnie M6]

Wow, the timing of this post is wild- DS 8 has an abscess and I have spent almost 2 weeks obsessing about whether or not to have it pulled. He was scheduled to go to the oral surgeon yesterday (March 5) at 8:00 a.m. I tried to reach our dentist for 2 days to ask him questions, and we kept missing each other. My main question was whether this was absolutely necessary as DS is having no pain and the little swelling he did have is gone (he is on a course of nasty antibiotics). I talked to some nurses that I work with and friends and family, and finally decided to have the tooth pulled because of the potential risk of infection spreading. At around 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening, we got a call from the oral surgeon's office- he was in a biking accident and they had to cancel the appointment! We do plan on rescheduling once the oral surgeon is recovered.

One thing I decided for sure is not to let them sedate him, as they were planning. I am okay with laughing gas, but I don't like the idea of him going under anesthesia in a Dentist's office. Makes me too nervous

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[hrsmom]

Baby root canal is not painful. My daughter had to have one last year (she was 3 1/2 years old). We started taking her and 3 to see the dentist and it just seems she has weak teeth (just like my husband). Most dentists try to save teeth if they can because those back baby teeth don't fall out until like 12 years old and if they are pulled early sometimes the new tooth doesn't come in at all.

My DD (age 4) is the same way and she started going to the dentist at age 3. She had a crown done in November, which just breaks my heart that she has to go through this, but her teeth just are week. My DS on the other hand has beautiful, pearly white teeth. He got my DH's teeth and, unfortunately, my DD got mine.

 

[CharmedLife]

I also asked the dentist for an appointment for my 3 year old and they said unless there is a problem, they don't need to be seen until they are 5 years old. This is a pediatric dentist - they only see kids.

I can't believe a ped dentist would say this. My kids have been seeing a pediatric dentist since they were 14 months old. My own dentist (not a pediatric) thought they should start at age 3. I have NEVER heard of a dentist saying to wait until they were 5. So many kids these days have tooth problems because of all of the juice that kids drink these days, that I think most dentists want to get in there and check them out, and get a good cleaning and fluoride every 6 months.

I would try a different dentist for your 3-year-old, I don't think it's too early. Plus, the earlier you start, the more they get used to it. I've seen some older kids really freak out at the dentist the first time they go.

 

[seashoreCM]

1. Any filled tooth can re-decay under the filling particularly if the filling is on the side and the tooth is not flossed regularly (it's called secondary decay).

2. A problem with children is that, after the cavity is prepared and the dentist is mixing the filling material, the child licks the tooth recontaminating it.

3. If a root canal is improperly done to a baby tooth, the developing permanent tooth under it can be damaged.

4. I strongly recommend seal coating baby teeth as well.

5. If flossing hurts, then it is being done improperly. The floss should not slam down on the gums between the teeth.

Health hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/health.htm

 

[budbeerlady]

One thing I decided for sure is not to let them sedate him, as they were planning. I am okay with laughing gas, but I don't like the idea of him going under anesthesia in a Dentist's office. Makes me too nervous

Good luck and keep us posted!

Our oral surgeon will not put kids under. DD was given laughing gas (She got to pick the "Flavor" of the nose piece and wanted strawberry.) and then a few shots to numb it (those went as well as they could under the circumstances, it was rough and she did cry alittle.) She hugged a stuffed animal pretty tight and they plucked the tooth out. She was really brave for how bad the tooth had gotten. Right after it was out it really must have felt better because she was smiling and telling the Dr about how the tooth fairy will leave her money for WDW.

The doctor asked if she had ever been to WDW before and when was she going, what did she like there? He came back with $5 for her for being so brave to use at WDW. DD was happy for the rest of the day! And the Doc got a big from all of us that were there with her. When I was headed back to the office I think I cried more than DD during the whole thing.

The next week we saw the ped Dr who put in the spacer. We have switched over to him now for DD. He gives Dd something to drink about 30 before a filling, whatever it is she turns into chatty cathy! Then the laughing gas and he works wonders on the kids. They are not nervous and he knows how to work with them. DD is so comfortable, she tells hiim her life events and isnt nervous ever when we go there. DD has very soft teeth with no enamal on her baby teeth, it seems to run in our family history in the girls.