3 Year Old Needs a Filling-yikes!

When my niece was 3 she had to go through this same thing and my sister was a mess with worry. The Pediatric Dentist she went to was great. This was in Columbia,SC. Amanda, my niece, was taken to a play area in the back and given a tiny little cup(like Nyquil, but smaller) with "sleepy medicine" in it. My sister was allowed to be with her and they said to let the technician know when Amanda looked a bit "staggery." This stuff worked great because she wasn't knocked out and yet relaxed snd compliant enough for the novacaine, noises and procedures. The best part was that she didn't even remember any of it once the stuff wore off. That only took about an hour and she was ready to go play. I would ask around about this medicine in dentistry. Also, my oldest son(now 23) was horrified when all 4 of his 12 year molars were literally rotting out of his head. He is very diligent with every aspect of hygiene and couldn't understand. My husband even grounded him for not brushing properly. Turns out it was not his fault, of course. I was told by the dentist that he didn't have even one other cavity and asked me if he'd been ill as a small child. Yes, he's had viral meningitis at 16 months with a fever over 107! BINGO!! The dentist said that the illness and high fever in particular, prevented enamel from forming on those 4 teeth just at the time they were maturing up in his gums. Those poor teeth never had a prayer. He needed braces anyway, so they yanked those nasty 12 year molars and forced his wisdom teeth to sprout and take the place of the missing teeth. It worked like a charm! Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi J.,

I can probably ease your mind alot as I have been to the Pediatric dentist far more than I have ever wanted to be! I'll start by telling you that I too am very vigilant about brushing my little ones teeth. But at my son's first dental check-up, 3 years old, the dentist found a cavity in his back upper molar. I was surprised but of course it had to be fixed. They did not put him under. He was given nitrous oxide and novacaine and he was terrified and I was bleeding inside but we got through it and all is well now. During the procedure he screamed and yelled and carried on but he is more than happy to let me go over his teeth now after he brushes them himself. Six months later he went back for a check-up and no cavities.

As if that wasn't hard enough, there is more. My daughter is 15 months old. She has a mouth full of teeth. I am very vigilant about brushing her teeth also, although she hates it, especially now. At 14 months old, I noticed a cavity in her front tooth (the one next to the very front.) So I take her to the pediatric dentist. They wanted to check to make sure it indeed was a cavity and to evaluate her to see if she would need to be put under. They checked her J., and much to my dismay, my poor 14 month old daughter had 4 cavities!!! I could have had a stroke right then and there! I just cried thinking I had to be the worst mother on the face of the earth. She had the one cavity that I saw and 3 more in the back of her front teeth. Her pediatrician believes she probably has weak enamel, plus she got started on her flouride late. So the dentist decided that she did not need to be put under...she said that she didn't like to put anyone under unless she absolutely had to. That if she was just making noise like she was then, that it would be okay. I didn't need to ask about the putting under procedure but I was just curious, esp. with such a small infant.

So we made three trips to the dentist to get those baby teeth filled. They gave her nitrous oxide...but with her screaming I'm not sure how effective it was. And no novacaine. They said that they didn't need to use novacaine on the front teeth.

Oh and I did ask about the being put under, if it was safe, esp. for a 14 month old infant. She said yes, it was safe. And they would have to schedule it on a certain day when the anthesthesiologist was there because she would monitor the child very closely. AND it would cost an extra $700 up front. I don't think the insurance would have covered it. But we got through it...Very very hard but we got through it. Three to hold her down and the dentist to work on her while I stared out of a big window praying and crying while my baby is screaming. The dentist would tell me that there were no tears, that she was just mad.

Now when I brush her teeth, I have to lock her head between my thighs with one arm under one thigh and the other arm under the other thigh and she screams and kicks. But it's got to be done! I still worry about her getting more cavities, so I'm constantly wiping her teeth...I hope my poor baby isn't traumatized for life by the experience.

Anyway, I hope my story has made you feel somewhat better. It is heart wrenching but just get it behind you and move forward.

I will pray for you and your little one!
Best wishes!
T.

1 mom found this helpful

I don't have exactly your situation, but something close. When my daughter was 4, she was running on a tile floor, fell, and broke her front tooth under the gum. X-rays showed that it needed to come out via oral surgery. The surgeon anesthetized her (using a wonderful drug called Versed), and she doesn't remember anything about it. She knows she went, sat down in the chair, and later on got up and went home and took it easy a couple of days. But she remembers nothing about the procedure at all. We see the oral surgeon around town, and my daughter hugs her.

There is also such a thing as an "oral sealant," which is kind of like putting shellac on the baby teeth to help them resist cavities. Ask your dentist if your daughter can get some of this.

HI J.,

Unfortunately, you do have to do seomthing. Cavities left untreated "spread" to other healthy teeth, compounding the problem. I would definitely recommend a pediatric dentist. These dentists deal exclusively with children and have special training to do so. I'm sure they would be able to treat your daughter. It sounds like this was something that could not be helped, although brushing is always a good thing. I would think this specialist could also recomment some type of preventative treatment. Good luck! L.

Hey J.,
My niece went through a similar problem about 3 months ago. She had a gum disease and my sister was as worried, after speaking to the specialist her mind was at ease. She did not want to put her baby under for this either. My mom helped my sister through it. My niece went in to the hospital to be put under for the 4 front teeth. The procedure went very smoothly and her teeth look amazing now, she brags on them all the time. I think talking to the specialist will help you tremendously. I hope this makes you feel a little better.

Hi J.,

Sounds like you are a great mom and very conscientious regarding your little daughter's teeth. I applaud you for following your instincts and asking for advice from other people who have been through something like that.

My son had a similar situation. He was about 10 weeks premature and the enamel also didn't form completely on all his teeth, especially the back ones. When he was about 5 years old, I took him to a regular dentist who promptly told me that my little guy had 7 cavities and would need 7 fillings and also gave me an estimate of what it would cost! The dentist looked at me like I was the most terrible mom. The whole situation made me very uncomfortable too.

Then a friend suggested we go to a wonderful pediatric dentist in Cary, who examined my son's teeth and told us those spots were not cavities but places where the enamel was thin. He said that my son did not need fillings and he instead put sealants on his teeth to protect them. My son is now 15 and has only had one filling and that was this year. I cringe to think that if we had listened to the first dentist, my child would have had to endure having 7 fillings put in that he didn't need.

So if you haven't, you might want to get a 2nd opinion from a pediatric dentist. Best of luck to you!

Brenda D.

Hi J.,
I have not dealt with this particular problem before, but have had to deal with other health issues with my children at a young age. When you go to visit the specialist, let your daughter be involved and ask questions about the procedure. Have the dentist explain to her what will happen and show her the instruments he will use. Let her hear and see the drill at this visit so that she will not be afraid of the noise. The more informed she is the better she will handle the filling. Explain that she won't feel any pain. Maybe you and she could role play at home and pretend you are giving her a filling. Show her how she will feel pressure in her mouth and hear the drill, but she won't feel pain. Three year olds have a great capacity for understanding, if we just take the time to answer their questions. Also, make sure she knows that you will be with her the whole time. Hope this helps.
Have a blessed day.

J., lots of good advice, just wanted to share my experience! My son had never gone to a dentist following his older sister's root canal at 5 without my permission! we lived in Lacey, WA, by then and I chose a Pediatric dentist. They were great. He was almost 4 and needed a cavity filled. He has a pacemaker so I was nervous about the laughing gas. However, the dentist had us come in 3 times before the "day." so he could get used to the chair and "nose" for the gas. On the "day" he did great, the gas calmed him down and he followed directions to the T! The dentist did not use novocain because it was a shallow cavity. They then put the sealant on two, we returned a few weeks later for the others. He did get sick to his stomach for just a moment after the gas, but otherwise was fine. He even had it done for the other sealants and no reaction this time from the gas. He even enjoys going because he gets a special toy each time.

I hope this helps, as usual mommy was a nervous wreck but he really did wonderfully!good luck!

I work at an outpatient surgery center where many pediatric dentists come to do dental work on young patients. I probably see at least 15 kids a week that are put to sleep for dental work. They do great. We even call them the next day to check in, and the parents always say how well they have done. If that tooth is in the back it will be one of the last ones to fall out, and there is a chance that the filling could get larger and deeper. You could end up dealing with an abcessed tooth which is very painful and often requires a root canal. I'm sure you'll know what's right for your little girl.

You really need to get it fixed. My sister-in-law let my little niece go without getting a front tooth fixed that needed a filling. By the time she did finally let them do something she had to have her 8 front teeth removed and several capped in the back. It does spread from tooth to tooth if it is touching. Decaying teeth is a bad thing that needs to be taken care of. I know it is hard to believe that it would harm a 3 yr old but if it reaches the root it may also make it to where it has to be pulled. My little girl had a surface cavity at three that didnt even need numbing to fix. I was more afraid then her. She did great. Now she is 5 and goes in the room by herself. Dont worry if you have a good dentist. They dont fill what doesnt need it.

My son (now 12) needed a "pulpotomy" (root canal on a child) when he was barely 5. He wasn't awful about getting teeth brushed or anything, but not great, like most toddlers. We ended up not having to put him under anesthesia after all - he was VERY good about the dentist - a pediatric specialist - they numbed his gum really well, he didn't feel the shots - I sat right there the whole time - I was a nervous wreck, he was fine! :) Sometimes kids will surprise you!

But you know your own child - if you have concerns about the anesthesia, ask lots of q's - they are used to that. My cousin's little boy had to have LOTS of dental work as a 4 year old- he was AWFUL! Kicking, screaming, clamping his mouth shut - they ended up strapping him down to get him gassed! Horrible experience! But she figured he'd be fine, so they didn't ask alot of q's first and regretted the whole experience!

PS - my son's cavity was in an upper molar - it was HUGE by the time we noticed it! It was like the tooth just got a big hole one day. They said it was formed inside the tooth - something about enamel not forming, due to the water I drank while pregnant or something! Nothing we did, but we had the huge dental bill! BTW, he has since busted out his front permanent teeth and had a root canal and capped tooth on one of them so far and will in the future on the other, so in retrospect, that molar cavity doesn't seem so bad to deal with!

Best of luck to you!

J.,

We haven't "done" teeth, but my daughter had many little surgeries (ear tubes, tonsils, little viral growths on her eyelids) each requiring short-term general anesthesia. We had a pediatric anesthetist for each and she did really well before, during and after. Sort of on the order of antibiotics...it is unpleasant and has it's (minor) risks, but in some situations it is necessary and makes life in the long run much easier/pleasant/healthier.

I think your approach to it all (relaxed) will make a major difference. Try to get the information and support you need to get to that place. I'm rooting for you --H.

Well I would have to say that things like this are aways scary. My oldest daughter had a similiar problem and even though I work in the dental profession I felt like you do. We made sure that we were recomended to a Pediontist who only delt with children. Sometimes they actually just use a mild sedative through an IV in the arm. It is better this way so that later the child will remember that they had their tooth fixed and didn't cry. So he/she will feel like a big boy or girl in your case. At your visit ask details about the procedure with the types of medications that they will administer to your child and make sure that she has no allergies to them. Also ask if the dentist has had anyone to have major problems or complications with the procedure. All of these types of procedures have risk but make sure you research the medication and have your child actual weight on hand. Medication is usually given according to childs weight. Good Luck. I'm sure your sweet girl will be fine.

cavity's hurt! even on baby teeth i still have a about 5 baby teeth and one is just a mess! anyway being put under is not as big of a deal at it used to be. my daughter had tubes and was put under they do everything so fast that its pretty safe. good luck!

J.,
My younger brother has no enamal on his teeth. The dentist said it was because he was a preemie and that was one of the things that did not happen before he was born. When he was little he would not let us brush his teeth. He would put the toothbrush in his mouth and suck on it but nothing else. His pediatrician found a cavity on his back tooth and told Mom to take him to a dentist. The dentist was not skilled with children and when my brother refused to open his mouth he left and told Mom to bring him back when he could cooperate. He was almost 3. About 6 mos. later he started screaming(crying)every time we sat down to eat dinner. I remember dinners being very stressful for about 2 weeks. Finally Dad said take him to the doctor and find out why he keeps doing this. I remember going with Mom for the appt. The doctor checked everything and could find nothing wrong. My brother had climbed onto my lap and I was tickling his belly. He had his mouth open and the dr. finally saw his teeth. They were rotten in the front and most of the other teeth had dark areas as well. He sent us to a pediatric dentist-they specialize in working with young children-. They ended up putting him in the hospital under general anesthesia and fixing all the teeth at once. It was more traumatic for us then for him. My brother is now an adult. He has learning disabilities and no tolerance for pain. He has always had bad teeth and the only way he desires to have a dentist work on his teeth is to give him the gas that you do not remember anything. The only problem is as adults it usually not covered by insurance. I would not put it off to long or she may have more problems. Good Luck

J.,
Is the specialist your dentist is referring to a pediatric dentist. If so, I would not worry. As a young child, I had many, many problems with my teeth and went to a pediatric dentist several times and the only thing I remember is "the elephant ears going over my nose" (laughing gas). Just a heads up, my dentist did not allow the parents back into the room with all the children because it can sometimes make the situation worse. But I would not worry too much.
B.

My son needed a filling when he was four. I was really nervous and dreading it. When we got there, he said he didn't want me to go back with him because he could go by himself. I thought, okay they'll be out to get me once they get started. No one came. He came out all proud of himself and said it didn't even hurt. I was more upset about it than he was. I wish you luck. I also think some people are more prone to cavities than others. I know a kid who had 4 in his baby teeth and an almost 40 yr. old woman who's never had any. Everyone is different.

Several years ago my son had a cleaning and the dentist found a cavity. He was about 3 or 4 at the time. He did great during his cleaning but threw up on himself when they tried to further evaluate. Our dentist, Dr. Fred, referred us to a pediatric dentist. My husband took our son and they gave him "magic kool-aid" to drink. My husband described him as a happy drunk. He did great and after having the filling done they went for a shake. Today he is not afraid of going for cleanings because he doesn't remember any pain, he just remembers one time he got sick on himself. I would do it all again if we needed to.

My daughter who is also 3 had to undergo the same type of procedure. she had several small spots that needed to be filled. We opted to have them done at one time to avoid being afraid of the dentist at later visits. It all went very well and only took about 45min to an hour. The worst part was when she was coming to she was mad and did not want any one to touch her, but that is a normal reaction and wore off by the time we were home. the only side effect was a sore thoat from the tube. Even though it is a baby tooth she will have it for several years. I recommed(?) getting it done now to avoid any future problems.

Hi J.,

I feel your pain. My older son had 4 baby teeth, molars, that lacked enamel as well. They were referred to as "soft teeth". There wasn't even enough enamel to put sealant on them - not enough to adher to.

Talk to the doctor about nitrous oxide - laughing gas. It might work for your daughter. It just depends on her temperment, I think. It calmed my older son, though he didn't sleep with it. My younger son had to have two teeth pulled (he had an extra tooth coming in that wasn't supposed to be there, so it was a necessary evil to pull those teeth) and he slept all the way through the procedure just with the laughing gas and didn't remember having had it done. Different children react different ways. Perhaps the doctor could try it first and see what happens. If it's not enough, he or she could proceed to plan two. You could also ask about versed and the laughing gas. (Giggle juice, they call it. Children's Hospital in Philadelphia and Charlotte Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital in NC use it. Here's what the computer says versad is: "It has powerful anxiolytic, amnestic, hypnotic, anticonvulsant, skeletal muscle relaxant and sedative properties. It is considered a short-acting benzodiazepine, with a short elimination half-life.[2] It is therefore a very useful drug to use for short minor procedures such as dental extraction.") Maybe these two in conjunction would be enough so that the doctor doesn't actually have to put her to sleep.

Just know that this is the beginning of fillings for her teeth - she'll have fillings several times before these teeth fall out. Hopefully you'll be lucky with her permanent teeth. As soon as the dentist can put sealant on any teeth it will work on, jump at the chance. It'll help a lot. And make sure you take her in every six months without fail. Problems with soft teeth can crop up very fast.

Also, make sure you have fluoride in your water supply, and if you don't, have the dentist give you supplements. These soft teeth are the only fillings my son ever had to have because of my judiciously giving him fluoride supplements up until he was 12 or 13. The younger you start, the better. And J., ignore people who carp on fluoride being bad for you. The stuff they quote is nonsense and hysterical information to try to frighten people.

Good luck to you and your sweet girl,
D.

Hi J.,
I did have a very similar situation so I hope I can help. My middle son have horrible reflux when he was little so the MD recommended breatfeeding as long as I could stand it. Well, that ended up being 19 month (about the point he started asking for it insistantly in public places). The MD did warn ahead of time that cavities may be an issue because his eating pattern was small amounts frequently so that he could tolerate it better. Low and behold, I took him to the dentist at 2 yrs and we had 2 cavities. Now, this was a pediatric dentist, and they could not get my son to let them within 10 feet of him with any equipment. The solution...the dentist treated the teeth with topical floride once evry 6 months until he was able to get his teeth filled. He was 4 1/2 when we were able to get them filled. The cavities remained very shallow/superficial for the whole 2 1/2 years : ) In addition, the dentist we saw for the fillings was a Saint - so patient. He decided that the cavities were superficial enough that he didn't even need to use any kind of medication, local or otherwise

My daughter was 3 also when she had to get a cap on a back tooth. We took her to a pediatic dentist and they gave her laughing gas and also gave us two medication to give her before the appt so she would get relaxed. She did great. Be sure and use a dentist that does not use the board to tie them down. I have heard that is trimatic.

J.,
My son had a similar experience at about the same age. His dentist came right out and said - you might think it's not really necessary to fill a baby tooth but this is one in the back that he's going to have a pretty good while and I strongly suggest you do this. He also said further decay could cause root problems and problems with the permanent tooth behind it. I always said I wouldn't fill a baby tooth but, based on that information, I did. The tooth fairy didn't leave quite as much money for that one when it finally came out since she couldn't 'reuse' it for a new baby. However, she did leave something. FYI- it's wise to expect a traumatic situation. I didn't anticipate it and my son wet himself. I can't remember if I had a change of clothes with me or not. Never hurts to be prepared. Good luck!
A.

no, this needs to be done, it will only get worse and her tooth will not fall out till around the age of 7-8! Thats 4-5 more years with a cavity. The corrosion will eventually eat the entire tooth into the gum (ouch!) and possible surrounding teeth, she will also be very uncomfortable. I would definitely get it done.

Dear J.,
I went through this same problem with my daughter who is now almost 8. I got two opinions, then ultimately decided to NOT get it filled because 1. -it would be too traumatic and possibly set up a life long fear of the Dentist, and 2. - It was NOT worth the risk over a cavity! She had that cavity for 3 1/2 yrs before we filled it and she was fine! We just took really good care of the tooth, brushed and flossed and had her rinse every night with a flouride rinse, and she is fine. Listen to your instinct. Of course a Dentist is going to tell her she MUST have it filled, that is their job, but I am telling you that they are often not right! I was told 24 yrs ago that i MUST have my wisdom teeth out or i would suffer all kinds of trouble, according to the experts. well, here I am 24 yrs later with not a trouble in the world. I still have them, they are completely healthy, and have not ever given me a moments trouble.
Trust your self. I would just employ "watchful waiting".
Good Luck- L. K.