Cavitys? at 4?

Question

the girl i am babysitting has 4 cavitys, and one of them keeps hurting her, what can i do to make them stop hurting her so she can go to sleep?

her parents know, and they dont do anything about it, the meds dont help her she keeps crying and fussing that it hurts

Answer 1

Calling social services because a child is in some pain from a cavity?? Get real!! If that's the case, call them on me too, because my son is almost 4 and has 4 bad cavitys - and let me tell you why :) - see what you are not realizing is that when children past a year old are kept on a bottle or even a sippy cup at night, when they drink it, they aren't swollowing everything and it sits on their teeth - causing what pediatricians will tell you is BOTTLE ROT - it happens to the best of parents, and Im sorry, but considering they are baby teeth every dentist I have talked to, said they won't pull them, just because they are their baby teeth - so before jumping to "call social services" - think about what you are saying, a parent doesn't deserve to have her child taken away just because her baby cried night after night for a sippy cup or bottle, then developed bottle rot, tried to take her to the dentist but was told there was nothing they could do, seeing her teeth are just baby teeth and to go home and put some orajel on it when it hurts her!! - Think before speaking because the worst thing to a mother is having her child taken away from her - and it's not called cruelty to children if they have a tooth ache? How do you know that that baby's mother doesn't use orajel, just didn't think to send it to the baby sitters because her baby wasn't complaining before they left the house? It happens, and like I said, it happens to the best of us parents!! My sugestion to the poster, orajel is harmless, invest in a bottle of it and promise her it will help to sooth the pain and that you will talk to her Mommy about when she picks her up!! Hope this helps!! God Bless!!

Answer 2

She needs to see a dentist ASAP - she is at least one year late on her first checkup, and nowadays they are saying age 2 instead of 3 for the first dental checkup. Lack of proper dental care at such a young age can set the tone for being afraid of the dentist, when they go in pain instead before the first cavity comes. Poor baby! Until she sees a dentist, Orajel plus Tylenol or Motrin is all you can really do.


*******Her parents know and won't do anything about it? That's called child neglect, and the pain is called cruelty. If they can't afford to pay for it, they probably qualify for state programs that would. And if they don't, they can find a dentist that will make payment arrangements for them. I would have to report them to social services otherwise. If you don't want to do it, have a friend with balls do it for you. You can just say that you mentioned it to the friend because you were asking them if they knew of anything you could do to help the child's pain.

Answer 3

I would mention it to the parents maybe like "oh..she said her tooth was hurting, and I didnt know if I should give her some medicine for the pain". My son is 3 and has cavaties too, but not to the point that hes in pain. If the parents never mentioned giving tylenol or childrens motrin, I wouldnt do it without them saying it was ok. Maybe you could call them and ask?

Answer 4

Have they been filled by a dentist yet? I assume not, or that should have stopped the hurting immediately. I'd say all you can do is a little children's Tylenol, Motrin, or Advil before bed to kill the pain, then hope her parents get her an appointment soon. Poor kid.

Answer 5

I agree with lil southern girl about social services. Cavities are more dangerous than some people realize. People even die from infections that can set in. Tell her parents that she has been complaining from the pain and if they blow you off, call. As her paid caregiver, you are legally required to do so, and could be held accountable if you don't report this obvious neglect.

Answer 6

If it is possible, the dentist will try to just fill the cavities. Pulling the tooth out would be the last resort, these baby teeth are needed to guide the permanent teeth into place when they are ready to erupt. I do not think he will put silver caps on your son's teeth. And just as everyone is saying, limit his sugary snack intake.

Answer 7

Why are you not asking her parents what they want her to have for pain relief? Children's Motrin would work the best but she needs to see a dentist. One of the cavities could have caused the tooth to become infected. Please contact her parent(s) before giving her anything though.

Answer 8

You can't do anything. She needs go go to the dentist and have them filled. You could probably give some tylenol or motrin, but you need to ask the parents first.

Answer 9

Yes, it is bottle rot, and yes it happens to the best of parents.

But not going to the dentist when the parents are aware of the issue is NEGLECT and ABUSE plain and simple. If these parents do not have her seen by a dentist soon, you are obligated by law to report this to Child Protective Services.

I train people in identifying and reporting abuse and neglect in my job. Withholding necessary medical and dental attention is definetely abuse.

Answer 10

Children's pain reliever like Tylenol or something. Also try children's orajel. Be sure to talk to the mom first about giving the child either, in case she has allergies to either of the products.