OT - Pediatric Dentistry?

[mom2meiko]

My dd (2.5 yrs) has a cavitity! I am shocked - completely and totally shocked. Yes, I have horrible teeth - more fillings than natural teeth at this point - so I expected she would have some trouble but I never thought it would begin this early!

She does not eat a lot of sweets - and especially not any kind that would be sitting in her mouth (ie - lollipops, etc.) She hardly ever drinks juice (and when she does it's diluted 25% juice/75% water!) She brushes her teeth (it's one of her favorite things to do and we hardly ever say no - sometimes she brushes 4 or 5x a day!) We have flouridated water. She has never gone to bed with anything to drink except an occassional water (because I've heard horror stories of other children having serious dental problems from going to bed wth a bottle!) I'm at a loss!

And now, I have to figure out what kind of Pediatric Dentist will be best for her? Does anyone have any experience with Ped. Dentists? What kind of treatments they use and how they manage to numb them for a filling? It's her front tooth and I've had dental work in the front - the novaccaine is miserable for me - I can't imagine putting her through that. I'm terrified not just of this first experience and how she'll handle it - I'm terrified that she will be scarred and not want to go back to the dentist ever again!

The thing that makes me the most frustrated though is that when I was at my dentist last spring I asked about getting her an appt because she was turning 2 soon and I have such a bad set of teeth. They said they wouldn't see her until she was 3! So, here I am reading up and I'm seeing that pediatric dentists recommend being seen by 1 year! I'm furious to think this may have been avoided if she had been seen earlier!

 

[kacaju]

Try not to get to upset. My dd10 is full of fillings. She goes to the Dentist every 6 months and she brushes her teeth every day. Her first cavity was around 2 years old as well. We used a Ped. Dentist. I cant remember what they used but she did fine. My other two dd's have not had this problem at all.

Most of my dd's cavities are in between her teeth, she has had to learn to floss a lot!!!

 

[MSSANDRA]

The Ped dentist we used used an oral medication ( sleepy juice) to sedate them.
DS never minded going even after a root procedure at 3!!! Be sure to ask what their policy is on parents in the work area and be sure you are ok with that.

Please do not feel guilty. Some children just are much more prone to cavitites!

 

[happymommy]

The Ped dentist we used used an oral medication ( sleepy juice) to sedate them.
DS never minded going even after a root procedure at 3!!! Be sure to ask what their policy is on parents in the work area and be sure you are ok with that.

Please do not feel guilty. Some children just are much more prone to cavitites!

I agree about trying to not be upset. I also had so many cavities as a child. I was also given "cherry juice" every visit while young, as I was very anxious at the dentist. I'd definitely find someone that will offer that.

My kids get their molars sealed as they come in, and although we spend tons of $$ on dentistry (we don't have insurance), the sealants are worth it. They haven't had one cavity on those molars so far. Matter of fact, my DS had 4 tiny cavities a few years ago, but since then neither kid has had a cavity (I don't know whose teeth they have! Not me or my DH!). And we use well water.

 

[kacaju]

My dd got a cavity under her sealant, she just has very bad teeth.

 

[dizneechic]

Most ped dentists use a topical gel to numb the area and if needed will also do Novocaine or epinephrine (what they use on my ds since it works like Novocaine), they are well trained on how to deal with pain management in an age appropriate fashion. My biggest advice to you would be to not stress or show any fear yourself over the situation because your dd will pick up on that and then think she's supposed to be afraid and will of course act that way. Just be very cool, calm, and deal with it like this is what's it's supposed to be and the ped dentist will take care of the rest as they are trained and your dd will be just fine!

My ds8 has a cavity at 3.5 that was pretty bad as well. Our dentists were fabulous with him and he loved the whole procedure. We also are not a juice/sweets family but the major culprit for us was carbs (pretzels, goldfish, typical toddler snacks) because those break down into sugars and also sit in the mouth longer stuck between and in the grooves of teeth.

 

[summerrluvv]

DS (10) went yesterday and has several ::sigh:: He doesn't brush well though, orally sensitive (he is on the autism spectrum). He needs some fillings and a baby tooth pulled in the back. He will get a liquid sedative to make him relax and they will numb the area. The dentist said he would use mercury ones unless he cooperates and is very still...then he will use the white ones. I don't want the mercury ones, so I'm hoping he is still, otherwise we'll have to come back for white, or have it done at the hospital.

So...if you are opposed to mercury, I would just confirm what type they will do before you go back, since many still use those.

 

[EnchantedPrincess]

i agree - don't get too upset! My dd had a small cavity between her two front teeth (they were very tight together!) when she was about 4 yo, and she brushes her teeth frequently, too and goes to the dentist every 6 months. We took her to a pediatric dentist. If you can, find one that does waterlase laser dentistry - our pediatric uses that technology, and the dentist use laser, so no drills ever touches her teeth when he did the fillings. My dd never felt anything, and didn't need novacaine either.

 

[StephMK]

How do you know she has a cavity if she hasn't been seen? DD saw my family dentist & had a cavity when she was 3 but the dentist didn't even use novacaine when he filled it. It was small so he was able to just barely drill the area & fill it - it took about 3 minutes total. I don't remember if he numbed anything but DD was completely fine, no pain.

When we moved, I tried a pediatric dentist - nice new office, TV at each station for the kids, very friendly, etc. I was told DS had cavities between all 4 sets of back teeth when he was 4. The dentist wanted to fill them all and charge me for 8 teeth since it was between them. Plus do them all separately and separate numbing for each time. Total cost to me was about $600, after insurance. I got a second opinion at a different ped dentist & he never even mentioned that until I asked. Then he looked at his xrays really closely & said yeah, I guess I see something but not worth doing anything at this point.


Now he's 7, sees another dentist who also has never mentioned those areas. If you don't feel something is right, don't be afraid to get a second opinion. We now see a family dentist that DH met and his office is great.

Good luck! I know mine wouldn't see them until 3 either so don't feel bad!

 

[mom2meiko]

thanks everyone for the reassurance. i really appreciate it and am trying to calm down and look at it all rationally.

How do you know she has a cavity if she hasn't been seen?

she has a whole in the front/center of her front tooth - not sure what else it could be if it's not a cavity. of all places to have a cavity - the very front of her front tooth too! ugh!!! my poor poor baby.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I agree you shouldn't be too upset. DD had two cavities when she was three. Both were on her back molars. Her dentist said it had more to do with the shape of her teeth than with what she eats. He said she had deeply grooved molars. I wonder if it might be genetic because I remember my dentist telling my mom the same thing when I was young.

As for finding a pediatric dentist, ask friends and coworkers for recommendations. In my area, there is one practice that is known to be THE practice to go to for kids. Everyone I've encountered there is outstanding with kids. DD's cavities were very shallow so her dentist said they didn't need to use novacaine. He tried to get her to breathe in some of the laughing gas. What is it, nitrous oxide I think? But she wouldn't do it. He was able to clean out the decay and fill both cavities without DD feeling any pain. She was a little scared by the sound of the drill, but that was it.

 

[StephMK]

thanks everyone for the reassurance. i really appreciate it and am trying to calm down and look at it all rationally.



she has a whole in the front/center of her front tooth - not sure what else it could be if it's not a cavity. of all places to have a cavity - the very front of her front tooth too! ugh!!! my poor poor baby.

Ahh, I should have guessed that! Poor kid but just figure it bothers you more than it does her. They can do such great things with teeth now, I'm sure they can fix it for you!

 

[MissNurse]

My DD has awful teeth, and I had to find a dentist for her at about 3. She wouldn't even consider letting our family dentist even look at her teeth, so he immediately told us to try a pediatric dentist. We drive an hour away to a pediatric dentist, and she loves him! I don't get to go back w/ her, but that is okay w/ me. The only thing she ever complained about was a time the dentist accidentally pulled her hair when leaning the chair back. DS goes to him now too, and no troubles! We love it!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Sorry about your DD's cavity. Our pediatric dentist didn't even use anything on DS for baby teeth cavities.

And I just thought I would note that you said your daugther brushes her teeth up to 6 times per day. This is way too much. And YES too much is a bad thing. Get her a very gently brush, place the toothpaste on yourself, and DO NOT let her brush more than your dentists recommended amount. Good Luck to her

 

[stefplus3]

Everyone else has said everything I'd say but I noticed you were in Mass and so are we. I'm not sure where in the state you are but if you're on the south shore we've gone to 2 awsome pedi dentists (switched due to insurance changes). Norwell Pediatric Dentistry in Norwell and Dentistry for Children in South Weymouth (right by south shore hospital). We loved the staff at both!

 

[deva]

If you do have to deal with a cavity, find a dentist that uses a laser. MY DS has had two cavities. Last time I was with him, I was watching closely...no pain, no fussing, no novacaine or any type of pain killers. I was shocked because I recall many painful trips to the dentist when I was a kid! I asked her what she was doing.

Apparently with the drill, it is not the actual drilling, but rather the heat generated by the friction of the whirring drill that causes the nerves to flare up - and hence the pain. They just use a laser and water so they aren't actually touching the tooth and no pain. I told her that everyone should be using those for fillings - even adult dentists! She did say that more dentists are getting them, but I also think they are expensive.

I'd say it would be totally worth it to find a pediatric dentist that uses one if you ever have cavities to deal with.

 

[dizneechic]

Everyone else has said everything I'd say but I noticed you were in Mass and so are we. I'm not sure where in the state you are but if you're on the south shore we've gone to 2 awsome pedi dentists (switched due to insurance changes). Norwell Pediatric Dentistry in Norwell and Dentistry for Children in South Weymouth (right by south shore hospital). We loved the staff at both!

Ha, I never noticed she was in MA. We go to this office in Natick:
http://www.gotfloss.com/
I saw Kane (Sr.) and Tesini when I was a kid as my dentist and orthodontist and my kids see them and their primary is Soporowski, although we've been seen by Lahair too and my kids adore them all. One thing I like is they have many "private" rooms but also one main room where all 3 of mine can be seen at once. You can see it here in my blog. So when we book our appointments I love having all 3 seen at once, and I can hang out in the room with them or wait outside in the waiting area (Disney themed I might add ).

 

[sparklynails23]

My son goes to the dental school at the local university. They do a great job. He has had fewer cavities since he cut out gummies and everything chewy and sugary. Plus, he got the sealants, which probably helped. He's always been great about brushing. It sucks when your kids have these problems, but it doesn't make you a bad mom.

 

[mousebymarriage]

My kids go to a pediatric dentist that uses the Water Laser method for filling teeth. My DD13 has had 2 cavities in her life both were very small, the first was when she was about 7 years old and the second was when she was 12. No actual drill is used and there is also no need for a needle. She is very nervous at the dentist even when she gets just a cleaning so the dentist gives her a little "gas" that helps her relax but, not sleep. Our dentist is great and I can sit in the room with the kids and even hold their hand if they want. DS8 has never had a cavity and could care less what the dentist does as long as he gets to pick a prize from the prize box after the visit.

 

[Leajess99]

My dd got a cavity under her sealant, she just has very bad teeth.

If the teeth are not properly cleaned and dry prior to the sealant than they can get cavities because the sealant is trapping the bacteria under it. It is not just because a child has bad teeth.

Sensodyne now has a Pronamel toothpaste for kids. My kids use this.