Dental Fillings for a 4 Year Old

I am not a dental expert and I do feel your pain about having to put your baby through anything potentially painful. Tufts dental school has a pediatric dental clinic where the prices are apparently cheaper than the regular dentist. Usually schools have/use the latest technologies too because they are training tomorrow's dentists. That might be something to look into esp for a second opinion. Good luck!

Try not to feel so guilty hon, I know we all do when something like this comes along but I do not believe it is your fault.
Seems like a combination of causes.
It would be so hard to floss a little boy...at five tho, perhaps you could try and also try to teach him to floss. How about those little plastic thingys that have a piece of floss on them? Easier to handle for him maybe?
Ok, yes, try to have the cavities filled...those teeth will be needed for a long time.
Sounds like he may have a bit soft enamel as well in spite of what dentist says...severely limit sugar intake, have him rinse his mouth with water between brushings and spit it out.
It is not common for five yr old to have cavities, especially if they have been taught to brush twice daily. But neither is it unheard of.
I had a little sister with soft enamel and by five every tooth in her head had at least one cavity. I am prone to them myself and I am 65 , rinse and brush every time I eat/drink anything.
Best wishes and God bless
Grandmother Lowell

I had the same problem, some kids just have poor teeth or issues with lack of saliva etc. Don't blame yourself. I just went through a whole ordeal with mine, she is 5 too! I felt guily too but I am always brushing and flossing. Make sure he is on floride for his big teeth. It is important. Or make sure there is floride in your water. Talk with your dentist about it.

M. - SAHM and WAHM and loving it!

Do you have flouride in your water? My boys are 12 and 14 and have never had cavities. One drinks milk one doesn't, neither drink soda or juices.
If money is an issue do some internet research to find a place that offers little to no money out of your pocket for services. Dental schools are a great place to go. Our boys had sealants and they would have cost $80 per tooth but I was told to go to the local dental school for $5 a tooth. They were great we helped a student get signed off for sealants and we got a great deal at the same time. The supervisor/teacher was watching the whole time so it is safe. A Check up every 6 months is the best way to catch cavities, sealants are a great way to prevent new ones.
Just a side note, if you are in need of extra money to make ends meet let me know as I might have something you would be interested in to help you out. Good luck, L.

Z.,
Please don't blame yourself for this situation. You were making the decisions you thought were necessary at the time. Your son will probably START to lose those teeth at about 11. So he will need them for a numer of years. I think it would be a very good idea to have them taken care of as others have suggested. The sealers are also a great idea, and can help prevent this happening again. This site is such a great tool for parenting!
Good luck!
A.

YES! My daughter had 5! I was mortified! I made sur we brushed daily and flossed most days, but she had the same problem, the molars were too close together (almost impossible to even floss!). They told me that there wasn't much I could've done to prevent them. SIGH! If you don't get them filled, they can rot out the teeth down to the root, then get abscessed and send you even more issues. My dentist was great when doing it and my daughter had no idea that she was getting a shot of novacaine. I sat in touching her leg and foot as she was a bit nervous with the drill, but it went pretty quickly. Good luck and hang in there!

Hi Z.
I had the same problem with my 5yr old. She had to have LOTS of work done for the same reason (NO Flossing) Whoda Thunk?? You should get them worked on because they will fall out but the decay will get worse and spread to other teath . If you get the teeth done know you can start flossing and start a clean slate.

My daughter (who brushed her teeth every morning and evey night)had to have deep fillings in her back molars when she was 6. I was shocked because she had been going to the dentist on a regular basis and at her last appointment, they didn't see any cavities. Then all of a sudden she had some decay on the back of both of her molars. She had to have fillings in both and then an infection started and they actually had to pull both of the teeth and put spacers in so that her adult teeth could move up in the right place when it was time for them to come up. Not a very pleasant experience but had to have it done for her health. She was and is so good through everything and what we are watching for now is that she doesn't chew gum that isn't sugar free, and she only has sweets in moderation. Kids can get lots of cavities, even when they are very young and it does affect their adult teeth and their health. I would do all you can to keep on top of it and make sure he brushes twice a day and flosses at least once a day. Good luck!

I highly recommend reading, "Cure Tooth Decay" about natural alternatives that can help your son's teeth and prevent future problems. There is a yahoo group that goes along with it. Can his teeth be sealed? That helped me not get so many cavities (I had many in my baby teeth). Make sure, if you go for the fillings, that you get composite and NOT silver, which contain mercury - many dentists won't even do them anymore. The composites cost a bit more, but you can't put a price on health...also, look into CareCredit, a sort of interest-free credit card that you can use for things you don't have insurance for.

Hi Z.,

What a pretty name! Z., be gentle to yourself and take it easy. Remember you're a precious child of God, full of dignity and grace. You're doing your best, and blame has no real part in this. You didn't do anything on purpose. I think it's great that you're asking for help from Mamasource mothers.

Dental work is very expensive, and money doesn't grow on trees. Perhaps you can cut out something that isn't really critical even though today people may be used to them. Good luck. I'm sure you'll get good advice.

HI, my 6 yr old also had cavities.(I have 3 children) Its a horrible feeling as a mother but if they are going to get them, they are going to get them. My son has a bad gag reflex so made it even more difficult to get them filled. We managed to get one filled.... I ahd to give him a valium type med am hour prior to the procedure... it worked. However, we still have two more to be filled.I agree with you as to having them filled... they will fall out because they are baby teeth.(Is he in any pain?) However, it could be harmful to the adult teeth underneath. Insurance plays a huge role in a our health prevention... I am sure there must be a dentist that would work with you. Good luck!

In addition to what's been suggested, you might consider a "Hummingbird" battery operated flosser. It vibrates gently as you move the floss holder up and down. It's much easier than trying to get your two hands and a coil of regular floss into his mouth!

DO NOT beat yourself up about this! Go to a dental clinic and/or see about a payment plan. Most dentists understand the economic pressures. FInd one willing to work with you.

Hi Z., The work needs to be done. Most germs enter the body through the mouth so dental care is very important. I second going to a dental school. Tufts is great. i believe Harvard also has a dental clinic. Both are downtown but you can check with other dental schools. The care is excellent and cavities are pretty basic. You might also try and work out a payment plan with your current dentist.

I would go with the dentist recommendation. Perhaps they can also seal the molars which my kids had done (paint-on stuff by dentist, dry at office, no food or drink for 30 minutes). My kids used to floss with those tooth-brush shaped handles where you can snap in a new Y-shaped head with floss. Since the floss is attached they basically just slide the thing between each tooth, wiggle for a second and snap it back out. Quick and easy. Alternately you could perhaps get her a waterpik, they at least removed the larger stuff, it is not as good as flossing but a lot more fun!