My seven year old daughter has signs of tooth decay.....?

Question

We went to the dentist today and he says that she has some tooth decay> I am horrified. He says that we obviously brush them well as there is no placue (we still clean them twice a day for her) He says that it is probably down to diet, but she only has sweets once a week, and eats really healthly loads of fruit and veg, she does drink squash but not very strong I know she should drink water but she does not like it and I cannot force her to drink it. ( she has had lots of urinary tract problems in the past so it is important that she drinks lots)

What am I to do,I cannot bear the thought of her having to have fillings at such a young age.

The dentist cannot seal them as the decay is already there and it would seal the decay in.

Yes she probably will have to have them filled in the end but I was hoping for some friendly advice not abuse.

It is not bad enough to be filled yet, as the dentist cannot stick his probe in it, obviously if he suggest next time that they need filling then they will be filled.

Answer 1

I had to have fillings when I was little, too. It is not only sugars (often in soda, sweets, fruit juices, and practically every commerical food), but starches that are the possible culprits. Starches turn into sugars in the environment of the mouth, so eating potatoes, pasta, and any otherwise healthy starch can have a negative effect.

Also, brushing will often help with the outside of her teeth, but only flossing can really remove any plaque from between them.

It is really important to try to get her to drink as much water as possible. (I'm sure it is a struggle though.) This will help keep stuff moving out of her mouth and make it a less hospitable environment for plaque bacteria.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Maybe she just has deep grooves in her teeth, that makes it really difficult to get them properly clean, no matter how well you brush, and is a prime spot for decay to start. That's a problem I had when I was younger, but once my dentist realised it (after my first set of fillings) he made sure when my other molars came in, he put sealant on them early, before the decay had a chance to start.

Also, do you give your daughter dried fruit? Because it's really high in sugar and tends to stick in the teeth, especially things like raisins. Change the squash to sugar free stuff as well, that might help.

It's sad that she has to have fillings when she's so young, but unfortunately you can't do anything to reverse the decay now, and the sooner you get the fillings done the less painful it should be for her, and hopefully the experience won't be all that bad. Good luck.

Answer 3

Having tooth decay at age 7 is not the end of the world. Not taking care of it can be. Let the dentist take care of the tooth decay. At age 7, she should be taking care of her teeth herself. You can check to see that she has done a good job, but she is old enough to do it herself.

Just be glad you don't have a child who has had to have two teeth removed, and three fillings by age 5--my grandson, who has a problem with really soft teeth and other dental issues. And he cleans them twice daily. Some teeth are just not as strong as others.

Answer 4

Some dentists place these silver-looking crowns on the baby teeth until they fall out. If the teeth are too far gone to place a crown, they could be pulled until the seconds come in. I'm sure there even is a kind of denture or partial for these little ones, except it is way too expensive and most people just opt to wait for the permanent teeth to erupt. Yes, the baby teeth do fall out, but many dentists also believe, that the decayed baby teeth cause problems for the permanent set and should be treated accordingly. I had a friend whose son had terrible baby teeth. All black in the front. Well, he went to bed with a bottle of milk. The kid falls asleep and the milk just sits in the mouth. It contains sugars, and they have a blast during the night. In the daytime she'd give him coke in the baby bottle which of course speaks for itself.

Answer 5

Is it your daughters adult teeth or her baby teeth that have the decay in them i hope that it's the baby ones as they will be replaced soon my dentist gave my son a toothpaste with a very high fluoride content in it as his teeth looked like they might have decay in them but it turned out the way his teeth were forming this toothpaste is only given to children above the age of 10 as their teeth are finished forming.

I would try and get your daughter to drink diluted juice with no sugar content ,you obviously take care of her teeth and it's not really your fault my sister's 3 year old had to have his two back molars removed because of decay but his problem was the medication he received for his heart problem.

Hope you get a good out come from this.

Answer 6

try switching the squash for sugar free variety, fruit juice is also a factor in tooth decay as it has the combination of natural sugar and acid which can cause decay, and many people dont realise this as it is healthier than coke etc. Decay can be halted if the diet quickley changes and fillings may not have to be so deep, the halting process is recognised by the decay becoming dark, often black, active decay is usually a chalky white/light brown.
Childrens fillings are not as drastic as the adult kind as its usually just a case of scooping out the decay and applying a cream- like filling.

Answer 7

My little niece, the same age has the same problem, it all came down to this Mexican candy that this child loves, it has lime in it that eats away at the teeth. Does your daughter love lemons or limes, if so that is the source of the decay. You also stated that she does not like water, I'm the same way, but now days they make flavorings that you can add to the water, add just enough to give her some flavoring. I discovered that I can handle water if it comes through the filters in the refrigerator door. The kind that has water and ice in the front door of the refrigerator. Good Luck!

Answer 8

I had to do so to my young one. Getting fillings is honestly probablly the best way to help it. As you know, some diseases are not able to be treated (you just have to hope for the best) Well with tooth decay fillings is reall your only #1 way to go. As you said she will not drink water and cannot force her to. Try adding a non-sugary substance to the water to add a little better flavoring. Anyways i would suggest fillings.

Keep brushing!!

~Kit

Answer 9

There is this wonderful mouth wash that "clings" to your teeth to show you where to brush to get the placue off.
[remember the red tabs we chewed when we learned to brush].

Get her the Soniccare toothbrush or the "firefly" each have properties that can help her clean her teeth better.

Sad but true a cavity will need a filling, unless the denitst said its not important, that she will loose them for adult teeth. You still need to find the best way to help her help herself.

Best wishes MOM. All you can do is your best. Genetics have a lot to do it. If she needs a filling, then get one.

Answer 10

if she has decay she will have to have fillings. you might get used to the idea. perhaps she is eating things (at school or day care) that you don't know about. consider drinking sugarless beverages besides water (something sweetened articificially with splenda) or with stevia. i'm no expert but the same thing happened to my kids' teeth. it was hereditary. weak enamel on dad's side of the family.