Don't all kids have fillings?

Question

My 8 year old daughter came home from school today really upset. They'd been doing an exercise about teeth and they had to look in each others' mouths and draw on a diagram where there were fillings or missing teeth etc. Anyway, apparently some of her classmates were making fun of her because she has quite a few fillings, I think she has 5 or maybe 6.

Don't all kids have fillings? I know I've always had a mouthful of them since I was really young, I thought it was pretty much a part of growing up.

Answer 1

I think it was common for kids to have fillings 30 years ago, but now it's not as common because of fluoride in the water etc. I'd say it would be relatively normal for 8 year olds to have a filling or two, but 6 sounds like quite a lot, maybe you should watch what she's eating and how she's brushing her teeth, and maybe speak to the dentist about sealants?

Answer 2

Some fillings are beyond the parents control as the teeth are formed with naturally open pit and fissure anatomy. The types of fillings over which you have the most control is the fillings between the teeth (called interproximal fillings) As this type of filling is a result of decay between the teeth caused by inadequate Oral hygiene and ditary factors.

I'm a dentist and have a daughter with 6 fillings all started in the pits, fissures, and central grooves of her teeth at age 3.1/2. Most of these are little more that sealants on her baby teeth, but two of them required anesthesia. these crevaces make ideal spaces for sugars to seep in and start cavities. We were so surprised because we brush her teeth every night.

We also have kids inthe practice that have no cavities at all inthe whole family. there are no pits, fissures, or grooves to speak of. ;

So again, some teeth are doomed from the start so it's important to take your kids to the dentist. Other teeth are naturally resistant. It's in the genes.

Answer 3

Hello, Actually, there is a coating that the dentists are using now when they are doing fillings during a procedure. As a result, the person's fillings will not show when she or he opens their mouth.

I also have a friend who never gave her child sweets. She gave him gallons of milk to drink and healthy foods. He got his first cavity when he became 20 years old. Her second son was not so fortunate. She was with a different fellow this time and they had a baby. He decided that he wanted to spoil his son by giving him candy and sweets everytime that he came home from work. Now his son is seven years old with 13 cavities, 1 rotten tooth and they want to put him to sleep to pull out his bad teeth. His mother was totally against giving him sweets but her boyfriend gave him sweets anyway.
So, think about the first thing that I said and try to give your chilren different types of snacks that do not have sugar.

Answer 4

NO, not all children have fillings. I'm 32 and have no decay in my mouth. Cavities form from poor hygiene and not maintaining your dental health. Also it can be a hereditary, a trait you carry because of your family genes. Sometimes prescription medications can cause the teeth to become weak and brittle which can also lead to decay. I would strongly recommend seeing a dentist on a regular basis. Also, having your child start seeing a dentist a young age is not a bad idea. I have been in the dental field for 14 yrs and we recommend you start having your child start seeing a pedodontist (children's dentist) at 3 or younger if there is any visible decay.

Answer 5

No not every one gets fillings. Don't worry its a faze for that age.
I have a 9 year old son that has had fake teeth when he was 4, and my other two have had no problems with teeth. It just depends on the kid just like everything else in this world. Tell him its ok and some kids are just mean but at least his teeth are being taken care of because if you don't take care of it they will be lost.

Answer 6

nowdays not many kids have fillings. I have only had one on a baby tooth, which the dentist said could not have been avoided. so the simple answer is no, not anymore. A hight sugar diet could contribute as well, also make sure your shild is brushing well at least 2 times a day and flossing. make sure she has a dentist appointment every 6 months -1 year for a thourough cleaning. good luck.

Answer 7

no I don't (im 15)
fillings can either be caused by too much sugar in the diet or not good enough aural care. On the other hand the quality of your teeth can be purely genetical some people just don't have great teeth, like some people have flat feet.

Answer 8

Tell your daughter to relax: most ALL people (except for denture wearers) have some teeth cavity fillings. It's rare for kids to effectively brush their teeth as parents or dentists would perfer.

And it's even rarer to find people who have NO cavities.

Assure your daughter she's well in a normal crowd here. ALL my teeth have fillings.

Answer 9

fillings are given when holes in the teeth are formed normally by rotting of the teeth by too much sugar and bad food, regualar care of your teeth and visits to the dentist should of stopped these but a high diet of sugary foods would not. quite a few children have fillings, so it's nothing to worry about, the bullying by other children should not of happened because they are not perfect themselves.

Answer 10

i've never had a filling and i don't intend too. most of the people i know got fillings when they were in their teens or 20's not as a child, i guess it depends on if she eats lots of sweets and drinks fizzy drinks.
I guess it's nothing to really worry about maybe just cut down on sweet things so she actually does have some teeth left for he teenage years