Now, before you come to conclusions that I'm horrible with my kids teeth, I'm not. They just drew the short straw when it comes to teeth. They go the dentist every 6 months, no fail, they brush every night...the thing I slack on is flossing.
And fluoride. I am convinced that fluoride definitely makes teeth stronger. Let me tell you why...we've always had well water where we live. Well water = non-fluoridated. City water = fluoridated. Save for a "defect", the Pal has had no cavities, and was consuming fluoridated water while I attended college.
Our four younger kids? All of 'em, ev'ry single one of 'em, are country bumpkins. Even when we lived in a development, it was still well water. I didn't believe fluoride was that important...and I've learned my lesson. Belle and EW have already dealt with cavities. And then some.
So, a while ago Belle had a cavity filled. Then, within the last year, she developed a cavity ON TOP of that filling, and needed to have that tooth capped. Over this past weekend, she had a filling fall out on a different tooth, then, a mere three-ish hours after returning from the dentist, I got a phone call from her, nearly in hysterics, that her cap fell off.
FOR FREAKIN' REAL?!?!?!
Back to the Pal...when he was 3 we discovered the enamel on 4 of his molars (2 year molars?) was weak. The dentist likened it to a birth defect, in that somewhere in the development of those teeth, something happened (antibiotics, fever, etc.) that damaged the enamel. He needed three of those 4 teeth capped, and a filling in the 4th.
Those 3 caps (done by the same dentist above) lasted until those baby teeth fell out...the filling, however, fell out and needed to be replaced...with a cap.
Here's where I show my frustration. This seems excessive to me. I have always loved our dentist. He is personable, great with the kids, efficient, seemed to be skilled...but now I'm questioning that last part.
What are your experiences with this? Dental professionals, is this as extreme as I'm thinking it is?
I feel awful for my kids. Feel horrible that they are needed to go in so many times for procedures to fix what I perceive as errors.
We haven't had to pay a dime for any of these revisions, but money isn't the issue. It's the stress and time on my kids and our home that is getting to me.
Thoughts?
I'm no dentist (and don't play one on TV), but I might be asking around town for names of other dentists at this point. Never hurts to get a second opinion either. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI would be looking for anew dentist, this sounds little excessive.
ReplyDeleteWe have had the same problem with our dentist - the hubs and I have both had work done there and while it's a technologically advanced dental office and the dentist is wonderful, we've had issues cavities on top of cavities, etc. They've done some of our work for free because I complained at how frequently we have to come back to the office because of their issues. :(
ReplyDeleteI hope you find a better one!
I used to work in the dental field and I would definitely say that this seems excessive! I would start looking for a new dentist if I were you.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what it is these days, there are SO MANY kids getting baby teeth worked on. When I was a kid, we did not go to the dentist regularly, like every couple of years, I didn't brush regularly, and I know I was able to sip my mom's soda from time to time. I never had a cavity until I was in college and dated a guy with bad teeth.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if they have decided to deal with things that were previously just left to fall out with the baby teeth, or if kids' teeth are really rotting that much faster. I need to get my 2.5 year old in, but I'm nervous about it.
When my husband and I were in elementary school, they used to come in to the classrooms every Monday morning and we had to swish with a fluoride rinse. In our 29 years, between the 2 of us, we have had 3 cavities. My 2.5 year old daughter still drinks nursery water with fluoride a couple times per week to make sure she's getting some.
ReplyDeleteMy parents however, have had cavity on top of cavity on top of... etc and have had their work done at the same dentist as me. Apparently, fluoride is very important.
I'd say that you should check around. Your dentist seems like he's used to redoing work. It seems a bit excessive.
ReplyDeleteThey do make at home flouride treatments that you can ask your dentist about, or there is the water with flouride added that you can buy. It does seem a litte excessive, though, especially all of the caps falling off so soon. I think you should ask around and maybe get a second opinion.
ReplyDeleteI would check around, I also wouldn't get dental work done on "baby teeth" because they just fall out and you lose all the dental work anyway. Permanent teeth are another story of course.
ReplyDeleteAs long as the baby tooth isn't hurting other teeth around it or bothering them I would leave it. Possibly even have it pulled and let the permanent one come through. Just my two cents.
definitely get a second opinion! And research shows that its mostly genetics, not teeth care :)
ReplyDeleteI'd get a second opinion, too. Sounds like a bit much.
ReplyDeleteBut....sometimes you do have to have work done on baby teeth. Cavities, even in baby teeth, can cause pain and if allowed to progress unchecked, can affect the permanent teeth below them. Plus, aside from the obvious benefits of allowing your child to enjoy many different types of foods regardless of texture and making it possible to maintain a balanced diet, baby teeth kind of 'hold the place' for the permanent teeth until time for them to break through, so having them pulled isn't always the best solution.
How's that for a run-on sentence? ;)
I'm probably about to totally jinx myself (and if I do, it's your fault!!). I have 2 cavaties. The first one was filled when I was 10, the second when I was 11. I'm 31. Still have the same fillings. Never had any problems with either. I would find a new dentist.
ReplyDeleteI am a Dental assistant.
ReplyDeleteYou cannot get a cavity on top of a filling. You can only get a cavity on the enamel surrounding the filling. That would be no fault of the dentist. But...it sounds like to me they are not getting the tooth dry before they place the cap or filling. This is very hard to do, and especially on a kid. The tooth has to be dry.
It does seem excessive, so I would try a different dentist. Maybe the next one can control the saliva situation better.
Kelli is right, the baby teeth can affect the permanent teeth. And flouride is good.
I don't know why it is posting me as anonymous since I follow your blog??? Stacey
ReplyDeleteI'm not a professional but it does sound a bit excessive! If you and your kids both like your dentist, maybe just get a second opinion and see what they say.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I probably said that wrong...by "on top of the filling" I didn't mean that she developed a cavity ON the filling, she developed a cavity within the tooth, as in "between the filling and the root". Does that make more sense?
ReplyDeleteYes. A cavity cannot start from the inside, so he is either not getting the cavity completely out, or they are developing cavities on a different surface, and it's moving towards the bottom side of the filling. I'm betting he isn't getting the cavity completely out.
ReplyDeleteUgh! Don't even get me started. We've had quite the adventure where our daughter is concerned and are still dealing with one tooth that probably should just be pulled.
ReplyDeleteBut, I do think that some of this on your end is excessive and you may consider calling a few other dentists to see what they think.
Some dentists are more willing to fill and cap than others. Some fill spots that should be a rinse.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter does a fluoride rinse (act) after she brushes. The dentist recommended it and it's a good habit.
That definitely sounds excessive. My mom is a dental hygienist, and she works for an AMAZING dentist. I've never heard of issues like that in his practice. We're in Washington state...otherwise I'd give you his name and number! But I'd definitely be looking around. Check out their website and stuff. If they've won awards and have received recognition by the dental boards, they're definitely legit.
ReplyDelete