The 4 front teeth of my 2 year-old started to decay when he was about 12 months old. He was nursed until 18 months and never ate or drank anything that had refined sugar. As a beverage, he basically only drank water or breastmilk. The dentist told me it was from night nursing. I took him to see a dentist as soon as I noticed the decay. He told me to stop nursing at night and keep an eye on the decay. I was unable to stop nursing him until he was 18 months old (weaning process was difficult). But I would try different thing like using xylitol wipes on his teeth after he fell asleep, or trying to give him some water after nursing him at night. So he saw another dentist at arount 18 months and they said the decay had stopped and to just continue doing what we're doing (brushing, no refined sugar). At the time, he would sometimes poke at his gums above the decayed teeth, like it was hurting or bothering him - the dentist said it's nothing... if there were an infection, it would be clear. He seemed fine for a while - but now at 27 months, he started poking at his gums and constantly pressing under his nose on his upper lip with his fingers. I ask him where it hurts, and he says 'there' and presses the gum above the decayed teeth (right under his nose). He's also an extremely picky eater, and has much less of an appetite these days. I look at his gums everyday, and brush and floss after every meal, and I don't notice anything... but I'm worried there's an infection, since it's obviously hurting or irritating him. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? I can't stand the thought of general anesthesia - but also, I don't want him to have to go through 1 second of pain because of his teeth. Also, do dentists do x-rays on 2 year-olds? Is it unsafe?
Thank you all for answers. Just to clarify, I first took him to my dentist, who also deals with children from 3 years of age and up. Then, I took him to a "top" pediatric dentist in Cincinnati - who wanted to put him under GA at 17 months and cap all the top front teeth and do some nerve work, too. For a second opinion, we then took him to the pediatric dentistry dept. at the children's hospital (the pediatric dentist we saw also works at the children's hospital) - there, they told us that the decay has stopped and that the teeth have hardened, so just keep an eye out for signs of an infection (abscess)... the thing is, I don't want it to turn into an abscess! So we have already booked another appointment there, and my husband wants to push to get an x-ray done - I was a little worried about that, but I know it would be the best thing to do so we can see if there's an actual infection. We also sent pictures of his teeth to 3 different family members in Europe to take to their dentists and get another opinion! I've been so worried about his teeth, and everything seemed okay until now - even though nothing shows on his gums, and all I see are some light brown lines across the teeth - but above the lines, near the gum, the tooth is white and shiny. The fact that he fiddles with his gums and presses under his nose, and doesn't have much of an appetite makes me feel like there must be an infection. I guess I just wanted to know if anyone else has gone through this - and deep down I was most likely hoping to hear someone talk about some magical, innovative and painless way to fill their toddler's teeth that doesn't involve any GA, cocktails or trauma!! ;))
If the teeth are bothering him, you really only have two choices. Get the caps or have the teeth pulled. Please do something; there is nothing worse than a tooth ache. And one day it's going to blow up on him and he's going to be in severe pain. Please don't wait for that.
I am a dental hygienist and he needs to see a dentist to make sure there is no infection. They can do x-rays on small children and it will not harm him, it is necessary. Find a pediatric dentist who will be better with small children. Decay is caused by specific bacteria. Children are not born with this bacteria, we adults (usually parents or close family members) pass this bacteria to our children by everday kissing and loving. It sounds like you are doing your best, but I urge you to get him looked at.
You need a second opinion from a pediatric dentist. You also need to find out if there is fluoride in your city water. If there isn't, he needs supplements. The dentist can give you those.
It is important for you to get this handled. The only thing that is more unsafe than xrays is an infection that causes him to have serious long-lasting complications. Please get to a different pediatric dentist.
Dawn
I think you need to pursue what's going on with his teeth. I had an argument with our pediatric dentist about night nursing and the end result was I didn't give it up, but I brushed her teeth as best as I could though after she nursed. She nursed for 2.5 yrs, mostly at night for the last year.
You may also ask around the family. When I told my mom about DD's teeth, she said, "Oh, yeah, you had poor enamel, too, at that age" and SD has struggled with cavities, too (though some of it is her own habits). My own dentist says one of his kids has been a dental nightmare from toddlerhood. So it may also be HIS teeth, a bad genetic luck of the draw, and you have to be careful.
So the bottom line is however you got here, you should get a 2nd opinion of they are bothering him and maybe ask if there's something else going on, like generic tooth sensitivity and if there's anything you can use on a 2 yr old.
You need a new dentist. Night nursing does NOT cause tooth decay, formula/juice pooling in the mouth does, but breastmilk actually kills the bacteria that cause tooth decay. The fact that he doesn't know this is reason enough to switch dentists.
Get him in to see someone NOW, this could get very bad very quickly if you let it go much longer. Taking care of this is much less traumatic than the consequences of not doing so. I would bet your son's issue is genetic, and not the result of bad care. Some people just have soft teeth.
eta
See this article about breastmilk and tooth decay (I don't just pull things out of thin air) which states, "Breastmilk also contains lactoferrin, a component in breastmilk that actually kills strep mutans (the bacteria that causes tooth decay). According to a recent article in the March/April 1999 issue of Pediatric Dentistry, “It is concluded that human breast milk is not cariogenic.” "
http://kellymom.com/health/baby-health/tooth-decay/
Also here: http://anationofmoms.com/2011/02/truth-or-myth-does-breas...
and here, even Dr. Sears says to wean only under extreme circumstances: http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/breastfeeding/faqs/breas...
Please don't feel like this is your fault. I night nursed until my toddler was almost three (just quit, in fact) and just brushed her teeth like I normally would, and she has no signs of tooth decay. My oldest child took milk to bed with her until she was about 2.5, too, and no decay.
I think some people have much more sensitive enamel, and are just predisposed to cavities. My husband has never had a cavity in his life, I have a mouth full. We've pretty much taken care of our teeth in the same way!
You need to have him evaluated again. You don't want the poor guy in pain! I'd rather have him out for an hour while they fixed his teeth than to be in pain for next several years. :(
If its "obviously hurting or irritating him," I would find a better dentist ASAP.
Good luck .
They often don't do x-rays until the kid can be somewhat cooperative because they have to hold the bite wing in their mouth and and hold still. Just be persistent with your dentist. I think medical and dental professionals can tend to brush things off if they aren't glaringly obvious, easily diagnosable, or signs of something really serious, because so often people complain about nebulous things that are transient in nature that they can do nothing about anyways. If you keep asking and brining it up they will be forced to deal with it, even if they don't know what it is. This may lead to a referral to a specialist who can help you. Persistence.
(FYI i come from a medical/dental family)
I'm sorry I don't know the answers to most of your questions. Was the dentist you took him to a pediatric dentist, or just a regular one? If it was a regular dentist, I would take him to a pediatric dentist who is more familiar with issues in toddlers. I agree with you that there is something more going on, since he's fussing with that area.
My dentist said it's all about mouth chemistry, and that's hereditary. You probably have some tooth issues in the family, so it's important to stay on top of that.
My husband and I eat the same foods, brush with the same toothpaste, etc. He has 4 crowns and 15 cavities. I have- zero. All his family members have dentures. None of mine have dentures.
Please dear lord let the kids have my mouth chemistry! lol
Yes, dentists are able to take x-rays on 2 year olds and no it is not unsafe. Most offices have digital x-rays now and the amount of radiation is minute. The area that your son needs to have an x-ray of is one of the simplest areas to have an x-ray perfomed on a child this age. Please have him see a pediatric dentist which it sounds like you have since you refer to general anesthesia. As a parent the thought of your child needing to be under general anesthia is a very scary thought but sometimes it is a necessity. As for the gum pain an abscess could be forming, if that is the case you will know for sure by the pimple like bubble. I would schedule another appointment to have it checked out again. Ask questions and make sure you and your child are comfortable with the dentist and then trust him. The dentist told you the cause of the decay being night time nursing to educate you not to make you feel bad. Obviously there are many people that are not educated in this area and believe that breastmilk cannot cause tooth deacy. In all actuality any substance that contains sugar (sweet breastmilk) can cause decay. Think about any time you nurse your child any he falls asleep, breastmilk is just bathing the teeth. Everytime you take a drink of something it will linger on your teeth for approximately 30 minutes. Did the dentist discuss sedation as an option? It sounds as if you are doing all of the right things now and your son is very fortunate to have a mother that is determined to make things better. Good luck!
i don't think you have a very good dentist. blaming you for nursing your baby is hardly helpful (if you wipe your baby's teeth after each meal, why would nursing at night affect them any more than nursing during daylight hours?)
some teeth are just more prone to decay.
and those teeth need to be treated. i'm sure your baby doesn't need general anesthesia, but a 3rd opinion, and possibly x-rays to get a really comprehensive picture of the situation, is certainly called for.
khairete
S.
I would see a different dentist. The one you currently see doesn't seem to know anything about breastfeeding and baby teeth.
You've done and are doing everything right, but you can do everything right your whole life and still have genetics play the biggest role in your teeth. One of my SIL's had to get a full set of dentures at the ripe old age of 32 even though she has always been stellar about her teeth care. Both of her parents have always had terrible teeth, and so did their parents... and knowing the family history my SIL she would have problems too.
Anyway. Yes, they can do X-Rays on a two year old, especially if infection is suspected. I think you need a second opinion from a different dentist.
I would not let any dentist touch the kids teeth for repair work without using general anesthesia. They do not need that memory or experience. They need to go in, go to sleep, get the work done all at once, wake up ready to go play and have fun. It's over and done in an hour or so. So no way to having them be awake for dental work. It's just cruel to me to force a child to do that awake.
It could be that he has weak enamel too. That's genetic and has nothing to do with what he eats or drinks. I really don't like what your dentist is doing and if we were buddies I would tell you that he should have fixed your little ones teeth when he was younger. He's in pain, he is hurting, get them fixed please. Let them put him to sleep so he won't be fighting them and living through that. Let him sleep and not feel it.
I know it's hard but please see another dentist. Your child may suffer from Enamel hypoplasia which is genetic. It has zero to do with night nursing which is an idiotic statement MANY dentists repeat. If there is no enamel present it causes the teeth to be extremely sensitive hence the gum rubbing etc.. Many small areas of decay in deciduous teeth DO NOT require a filling as in a secondary tooth. Research some great, holistic pediatric dentists in your area. Ask if they use any metal caps or fillings. If they do, run away quickly! Please look into MI Paste topical paste to strengthen the enamel at home. You apply at nap and bedtime on the teeth. Keep researching. Your gut is right on point. A simple set of dental x rays every 2 years is safe enough. Best to you in your search.
