Bad Teeth?

Updated on June 05, 2013
T.L. asks from Cuba, MO
10 answers

My 3 y.o. has 4 cavities already. We are going to get them fixed, but why will the dentist not seal baby teeth. I am more than willing to pay out of pocket. We brush teeth twice a day with all of our kids getting limited if any soda, small amounts of candy and have now taken away chewies too! Any other suggestions?

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S.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

My kids Dr. and dentist both told me from early on "NO Juice of any kind, they don't need it. It causes tooth decay and cavities." I can honestly say they've never had it.

2 moms found this helpful

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K.A.

answers from San Diego on

We asked our dentist why they won't seal baby teeth as well. We have 2 kids with genetic problems with their teeth, so lots of work done to them,
Baby teeth are different from adult teeth. They are softer and bend more. Sealants will more than likely pop off a baby tooth and not adhere. Also, they can only put a sealant on the top chewing surface of the molars. They can't put them anywhere else, they are not made to. Our dentist said it is just a waste of time and money to try to seal baby teeth.
As soon as my kids had any permanent molars come in we got them sealed right away though!
We haven't found the magic trick to help with the 2 that have problems. One got so obsessed about brushing that he started brushing after every time he so much as took 2 bites of something for a snack. He brushed his teeth until the gums bled. Flossed obsessively, rinsed with mouth wash. It got so bad we had to hide his tooth care things and only take them out when it was time to use them. Know what..he still got cavities because his teeth are just that weak.
My husband had the same exact problems as a child. They got it from him :(

ETA: Let me add, my other child is 9 years old (I have 3 kids). He has had 3 whole cavities his entire life. We have fluoride in the water. Same food for all 3 etc and so on. Dentist said it wasn't anything we were doing different. They waved their extra fees they charge for younger kids, when they see them at all, and started seeing my daughter at a very early age because she already had cavities in teeth she'd only gotten a few months before, they came in defective. If the dentist really thought sealants would do any good he would have put them on her, trust me.

3 moms found this helpful
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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Your child's tooth enamel comes from you and dad. If he had extreme enamel he wouldn't ever have to brush his teeth. Since he already has cavities you know now that he has weaker enamel.

He is going to get cavities no matter what. Don't beat yourself up over this. He sounds like he's an awesome kiddo. I think the dentist is totally aware this is a waste of money and doesn't want to waste the time and effort to put sealer on them. He doesn't really need it on his baby teeth.

3 moms found this helpful

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Some kids have bad enamel. Both my sons had enamel missing from their baby teeth. The younger one had to be put under and have crowns put on all his molars. Both of them had their teeth sealed so I don't think that makes a bit of difference. They also brushed the same as the girls, same foods. It is just the genes they got.

Just an FYI, their adult teeth are perfect so it all worked out.

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L.M.

answers from Houston on

Google Weston A. Price. Dental health comes from the inside, and teeth can re-mineralize.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.H.

answers from Chicago on

Sometimes it is the genes. Sometimes it is the eating/brushing combo. How much water do they drink? Do Milk, water, juice, water, etc.. have them drink water after each of the other drinks. That will help rinse the teeth off.

Good luck

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D..

answers from Miami on

Get another pediatric dentist. My kids' dentist ALWAYS sealed their baby teeth molars. This is ridiculous.

You need to find out if there is any fluoride in your water supply. Where we lived, there was not, and I gave my kids supplements. Neither of them has a single filling in the mouth because of this, and they are grown. Get cracking on this - with you being so proactive with their teeth with food and brushing, I'm thinking this would really make a big difference for you!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.R.

answers from Kansas City on

sounds to me like it is hereditary, something you have no control over. sorry. sounds like you are doing the best you can! i think they reason they do not seal the baby teeth because of just that... they are baby teeth, and will eventually fall out. even if you agree to pay out of pocket for the sealants some dentists just dont do it!
my cousin's daugther is only 2 and she has to have several of her teeth capped since she has cavities .

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X.X.

answers from Denver on

A lot of dental health issues are genetic. There is also a mouth bacteria (Streptococcus mutans) that makes people more prone to cavities. The bacteria is spread through saliva (kisses, sharing cups, food bites, utensils, etc.) Thin enamal can also be a factor.

There are other factors as well. Does you child eat a lot of acidic food? (Citrus or sour candy?) That stuff is literally like putting acid on their teeth. And the advice to brush after eating candy? Worst thing you can do after eating sour candy is brush. Your enamal has already been softened by the acid, and now you rubbing with an abrasive tool. Best thing to do after consuming acidic food is to drink some water and and wait 2 hours to brush.

As for sealing baby teeth, it just isn't cost effective. They are going to fall out anyway in just a couple years. Any decay that starts can be drilled and filled. Most little kids don't get cavities so it's not worth the extra millions of sealants per year for the few that do.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Santa Barbara on

Does your child use a 'sippy' cup? Some dentists say they are just as bad as bottles if they they have juice or milk.

Another thing could be that his teeth are close (touching). My kids have space between their teeth and no cavities. The back molars are now touching and I need to floss those.

1 mom found this helpful
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