Dental Dillema!!!!

YES! You have to get their cavities filled. If you don't they will just continue to decay which will be painful and yes that can make them fall out before they are ready and this is very bad. The baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth to come in if they fall out too early it can cause other baby teeth so shift into that open space and then the permanent teeth can't come in. Also if the baby teeth have decay and it isn't taken care of that decay can set in the gums and into the permanent teeth that haven't come in yet. Then once they do they are already bad and will have to be worked on anyways. I was a dental assistant before i became a SAHM so I know this all to be true. And most dentist will due payment plans with you so I know it will cost a lot but you have to get them fixed!

Your children's pediatric dental health can affect their overall health and the health and placement of their adult teeth. If the cavities aren't taken care of it could lead to an abscess and then you are talking major problems-antibiotics, pain, swelling, more invasive procedures. If the teeth fall out prematurely it can affect the shape of the mouth, the adult teeth may not have the room or may come in in the wrong place.

And the general dentists are wise to send you to a pediatric dentist. They have an extra 2 years specialty training beyond the 4 years of dental school to take care of little ones and their specialized dental needs. When you go to the pediatric dentist discuss with them some of the reasons why your little have cavities-is it genetic, is it lifestyle, is it diet. The answers to those questions could help prevent cavities in the future.

And yes, you may have to drive out of state to find someone who takes your insurance but it's our responsibility as parents to take care of our kids health issues properly.

I have to say, I was a little offended by another user's comment "To insure "no more stupid cavities," take out all processed foods"

I have a 2.5 year old and she has 2 cavities in her bottom molars. She eats a strict whole food organic diet (mostly veggies, quinoa, whole grains, some fruit, flaxseed, probiotics, etc). She is not allowed candy of any kind, and the only juice she drinks is 1-2 ounces of acai berry juice 3x's weekly. I brush her teeth daily and the crevices in her molars are so pronounced that i've even tried using a toothpick to dislodge a piece of cranberry (sweetened with organic apple juice), not even the toothpick worked. I finally had them sealed in hopes the cavity would not progress. I think people that assume you are a negligent mother feeding your children processed food are ignorant and offensive. This really struck a nerve with me as I've done everything to ensure my daughter's nutrition is outstanding and yet my baby has cavities. Good luck on your quest!

My son's dentist says he has a cavity in one of his baby teeth, but he is just watching it because of where it is on the tooth. If it starts to decay or if it is close to the root then he wants it taken care of, but he said there is no point in filling it being a baby tooth unless it does one of those 2 things. He went in for his 6 month checkup and it hasn't changed so he's just going to wait for the tooth to fall out. I would ask where the cavities are on your children's teeth and if the tooth itself is starting to decay. If it is not concerning I would just wait for their teeth to fall out.

They do need to be filled, or it could cause a lot of pain and further damage. Have you called around to see if any of the regular dentist would take your kids? My 4 year old just had to have some cavities taken care of. His molars did not seal properly and so decay had gotten in the cracks, so we had 3 cavities and several teeth to seal. I did not want to have to find a pediatric dentist or put him under sedation, she my dentist set up 2 appointments, one for each side, and said he would work as long as my son allowed, and make more appointments if need be. My son did great, and all the work was done in one appointment with no sedation. I would call around. If no one in your area will take your insurance, call around before deciding on a pediatric dentist, there should be one that takes your insurance. I am military, and I know that tri care and the add on dental care plan have a web site that lists providers that accept them.

Yes they need to be filled.

Your pediatric dentist, or even your 2 secondary insurance companies, should be able to provide you with a list of pediatric dentists in your area that accept that insurance.

BTW, remember that if you itemize on your taxes, dentist bills can be written off as medical expenses. If the ratio works for your income.

M.

If you are ever in Salt Lake, the Primary Children's hospital has a really wonderful dental department; they take almost all insurances and will help you with payment plans or whatever you need to get your children taken care of. If baby teeth aren't taken care of, it can rot the adult teeth as they're coming through. (I've had 4 children so far with cavities in their baby teeth - I blame it on the genes, though you may want to find out if they're candidates for fluoride supplements - it depends on the local water supply.)

To insure "no more stupid cavities," take out all processed foods, especially sugars from your child's diet and add supplements. There is no reason why young kids should have cavities and the pain of having them filled, except for diet. If you have difficulty getting them to eat whole foods, check out this site:
www.BabyBites.info

give the children Magnesium citrate daily - it hardens their teeth so that they wont be so soft and open to cavities. Also, too much milk actually contributes to cavities because it creates a magnesium deficiency.

I've been a hygienist for 15 years.....YES you need to have the baby teeth fixed!! Do whatever you need to do. They are important to the permanent teeth underneath (they act as important space maintainers) as well as functionally & aesthetically. Kids don't finish losing baby teeth until they're 12 or 13! If you don't fix a baby tooth IT CAN CAUSE BIG PROBLEMS. Infection & abscesses that can spread (can very dangerous) and a lot of PAIN. It would definitely be a form of neglect. Get some feedback at the dentist's office on why they are getting so much decay and what you can do to prevent more. And especially to prevent this from happening to the permanent teeth which the 6 yr old is getting. Kids can't be on their own with brushing & flossing until at least age 8. YOU have to do it. And watch the frequency of snacking, juices, gum, candy etc. Get them on a prescription strength fluoride to use at home that your dentist thinks is age appropriate. Get a handle on this!! It's so important and it's up to YOU.

go to www.drbaby2th.com This is a great ped dentist. My kids like it and I love the atmosphere!