Premature Babies and Tooth Decay

Hi R.!
I would call the pediatric periodontist's office and talk to them about what to expect. I am sure they will go above and beyond to make it as pleasant of an experience as possible. Ask questions about sedation and what they do to relax the children. You might be able to stop in for a consultation pror to the actual appointment. I am sure they will be very accomodating. I feel for you, as mothers I think we blame ourselves for everything! You are doing everything that a good mom needs to do, try not to be too h*** o* yourself.
And I am sure that your son will grow up to have healthy teeth and gums, and with the right dentist, no fear, either.
Good luck and keep us posted!!

my kids have never went threw that but some of my cousins kids did I didnt ask about how they did it. but when they started looseing the teeth. the tooth came out cap and all and the new tooth grew in just fine and they were healthy.they had there teeth capped when they were around three. because they were premature there teeth started rotting out so they had to be capped but when there baby teeth fell out. there calcium had caught up with the rest of them and there big teeth grew in just fine and they now have perfect teeth. I'm sure the dentist you take him to will be able to answer any questions you might have and help ease your nerves. more dentists these days are much gentler and arent scary like they were when we were small. good luck and I hope all goes well.

I'm sorry I don't know what to tell you about getting his teeth fixed, but I do know that early dental visits can traumatize children. Talk to the dentist about what he is going to do to prevent your son from getting traumatized. There's a difference between being scared, and being so scared it scars him for life.

My seven year old had stainless steelcaps put on 6 teeth when he was 5. They did them all at one time, in the hospital, under anaesthesia. I was very nervous about having him put under, but there were no problmes and he does not remember a thing. The dentist said that it would have been a horrible experience for him in the office as it was very bloody and smelly and would have taken at least 4 visits. He did get agitated before they took him back, but a little verset took care of that. He came home a little groggy, but slept it off and was fine the next day. He complained for a couple of days that his teeth felt funny and his bite was little different, but after that no problms. The caps should come out without any problem just like his regular teeth would. He is not allowed to chew anything really hard or sticky (no fruit snacks or gum) but that is it. It will be two years in June since he had it done and there have been no problems.

I can't comment on the treatment, but I can speak to the issue of prematurity and tooth problems. I was born 8 weeks early and given a lot of antibiotics. The enamel on my teeth never formed properly (some antibiotics are known to impact enamel formation). I've always had very weak teeth--despite very good dental care. I barely have any enamel and will need to cap everything at some point. Acid reflux can also impact tooth enamel and weaken it, leading to decay.

hi R., you should get a second opinion from a pediatric dentist, possibly a dr at chop

My daughter wasn't a preemie, but still has problems with tooth decay. I didn't allow my daughter to eat candy and I brushed every day. It just happened. She was only 2 when she had to get the caps put on. They had to put her to sleep to do the work and her mouth was pretty sore afterward. She developed ulcers in her mouth and they hurt her so bad that she didn't eat for days. If she wouldn't have gotten the ulcers, it wouldn't have been so bad. She was starting to eat the day after she had the work done, but the day after that was when the ulcers appeared. They will give your child antibiotics after the procedure to keep him from getting an infection. Even after all the pain my daughter went through, I would still have the work done again if I had to though. It's alot better than letting the teeth just rot out and then getting made fun of for not having any teeth. I wish you all the best!