we took out 2 1/2 year old to a pediatric dentist and they told us he had 15 cavities.?

Question

it felt like were were just a number being called the dentist took all of five mintues with him said he will need to have this done in the operting room and said my secretary will schedule it. what is so weird is we brush his teeth twice a day, took the bottle from him at 1, he does not get anything to drink after we brush his teeth at nite unless it is water and he is not real big on sweets. she told us it was too much sugar in his diet and basically was scolding us when she didnt even give us anytime to tell her anything. we are going for a second opinion tomorrow. what im wondering is he only has 20 teeth how can 15 of them be cavities and i am afraid to put him under for this why would we do anything to baby teeth. his doesnt complain of pain. the only reason why we took him was because of a spot we saw on one tooth. any advice on this would help.

Answer 1

Either A) He has fifteen cavities.
Or B) your dentist is trying to scam you

I'd definately go for the second opinion.

And if it is A) don't feel bad. It may be genetic. Were you sick when you were pregnant with your son? If so, it can cause the enamel (the potective coating on teeth) not to form. A simple cold can do this, you don't have to be seriously ill for it to happen. That is what happened to me when I was a child. I brushed my teeth three times a day, and still, nearly half my teeth had cavities. My adult teeth are fine though, so no worries. Also, it seriously may be too much sugar in his diet. Soda and juice are absolutely awful for anyone's teeth, and a child is no exception. If it turns out he's prone to cavities, he'll simply have to brush his teeth after every meal. Its the only way.

P.S. Seek out a new dentist. Any professional should have gone over basics such as this with you.

Answer 2

It is important that your pediatric dentist takes the time to sit down with you and discuss your son's oral health and how to still be proactive in his hygiene at home. Did the dentist show you the xrays and point out the 15 cavities? Did they show the extent of the decay? You need to be very careful with baby teeth. You cannot dismiss any kind of decay because it grows much more rapidly than in adult teeth. And if it is not taken care of as soon as possible, the decay will grow and infect the adult tooth underneath.

I think it would be a very good idea for you to get a second opinion. I am a dentist and even i would be somewhat suspicious. Granted, each child's mouth is different as is every adult's mouth i have seen. Sometimes genetics play a role, and even the amount of fluoride that your child is exposed to in the water. You did the right thing by taking your son to the dentist for a concerned "spot". Many parents dont take their kids in until it is too late!
Get a thorough explanation and reasons for the treatment your child needs. That is your right as the parent!

Answer 3

By all means, get the second opinion, but more then likely he has 15 cavities. The spot that you saw on his front tooth sounds like decay and if he had it on his front teeth it's very possible that he has some on other teeth. I used to work with a dentist who took small children to the operating room to do dentistry. We only had good results in putting children to sleep. The children go to sleep and when they wake up, all the dental work is done and they don't have any bad experiences with it. Discuss with the dentist things you can do to prevent further decay. Good luck

Answer 4

I am sure that the dentist could easily show you most of the cavities. Be sure that you ask to see some of them at your second opinion visit. I'm just guessing that your 2 1/2 year old was not very happy to be in the dental chair. I think the dentist could have taken more time to discuss this with you, but maybe it's just something that he sees every day as a specialist. To him it's routine and to you it's a nightmare. If you are not comfortable with his mannerisms, then go someplace where you are. I'd bet the other office will find about 15 cavities, too, though. Just go where you are most comfortable.

Answer 5

Definitely get a second or even a third opinion. You have to be comfortable with your dentist, and this might just be a cash grab, especially if you have insurance.

Try to get recommendations from friends or co-workers on a dentist that they're comfortable with.

There's no reason to rush into this. Baby teeth aren't as important as the adult ones. You will definitely have to do something if the diagnosis is confirmed, but don't let anyone rush you into anything.

I agree with you -- general anaesthetics should be reserved for only serious operations -- especially when you're dealing with kids!

You sound like awesome parents -- shame on her for treating you that way!

Answer 6

Genetics, antibiotics during tooth developement or living in a place that has no flouridated water can all be factors for this. Get a second oppinion though. I had a dentist tell me I had several cavities one time and I got a second opinion and I only really had 1!

Answer 7

You sound like a very caring parent. If at any time you feel that you are not getting good care you should follow up with a second opinion. Talk to your friends and family and see if they can recommend another dentist in your area, maybe one that deals with pediatric care.

You can also make a complaint to the dentist accrediting association or the better business burea.

Try this site http://www.ada.org/ and see if you can find your dentist listed, then write an email with your experience. If you feel he jumped to conclusion without a through exam, he's not doing his job!

Good Luck!

Answer 8

Definitely get a second opinion or call and ask to talk to the dentist directly and get more information. The secretary gets a lot of parents who load their children with sugar/simple carbohydrates (juice, soda, candy, chips, jello, pudding, wonder bread etc.) and then blame the dentist for their kids' teeth, so she is probably a bit sensitive. Some people just have weak/rotten teeth, either as children or adults. I had a number of cavities in my baby teeth and have virtually none in my adult teeth.

Answer 9

Baby teeth are as important as adult teeth. If a baby tooth has a cavity and is not treated it can affect the adult tooth. A second opinon is good. But you want to get it fixed. It's all the nerves and the roots that would damage the adult tooth. You should find a child denist you knows how to deal with children.

Answer 10

If you cannot see major spots on his teeth and he does not complain of pain, I would definetly get a ssecond opion. That does not mean that they are not there. Baby teeth can effect permenant teeth. If the decay is bad enough it will go down to the permenant tooth and decay iot as well. but that is a severe case and you should be able to see the rotted tooth. So thats why you should get it taken care of. Go see someone else though.