Decalcification in front teeth of my 20 month old Dentists/ any with experience PLEASE help!

[joymaker]

I noticed white patches on the front of my child s teeth a few months ago and thought it might be due to insufficient calcium so I simply increased the amount of calcium in his diet, little did I know that it was such a serious problem.

I have been so so worried about 4 of his upper front teeth (some have gone brown at the top of the tooth and now one has started to crumble away) When I took him for his appointment last week my dentist said DS2 was suffering from a process called decalcification.

Again now, on one of his lower front teeth I can see a white spot. The deterioration (It all) seems to be happening so rapidly. I’m now so ridiculously scared even to give him fruit I can’t tell you how Sad sad sad I am.

I’ve been told to use adult toothpaste if I can on his teeth but after some internet research wondered whether the GC MI toothpastes such as this could be better and whether they are safe to use for such a young child. I’ve also heard that cod liver oil can help is it true? Is there anything proven to be better ‘out there’?

I would really appreciate some advice as to how to treat or even slow down the process of decalcification until his referral appointment to the hospital dentist comes around.

TIA

[lollipoppi]

So sorry I've no advise but bumping for you.

Maybe try posting under childrens health?

[inthetide]

I've come across [[http://wellnessmama.com/2500/homemade-remineralizing-toothpaste-recipe/ this] recently re. Remineralisation and also, does your ds have a lip tie? This is where the little bit of skin that attaches the upper lip to the gums is lower than normal. If he had a hard time flaring his lip when breastfeeding this might be the case, or if his front teeth are separated. Have a check, because this is linked to poor saliva flow over the front teeth and increases the risk of decay there. You can ask to get it cut via your gp I think.

[joymaker]

Thank you both.
lolli posted there first but no advice as of yet.

inthetide thanks for the toothpaste link shall have a look at it now.

DS2 has a slight gap between his teeth but nothing excessive. I always have thought he doesn't show his upper top teeth very much (and it is always much harder to get at these teeth when brushing and he cries a lot but I persist) I am going to check with GP re lip tie to rule this out thank you for mentioning it.

[Mrsmorton]

Almost 100% of the time, teeth demineralise because they aren't being cleaned properly and the plaque makes acid which affects the teeth.

Dietary calcium cannot get to erupted teeth, only those which are still forming inside the jaw bone. Fluoride will stop the demineralisation and normal adult toothpaste is fine, you don't need anything special.

[Snowshades]

How old is he? Was he premature? Low birth weight?

[joymaker]

Snowshades He's 20 months, he was full term ( at 39wks 4 days). Contrary to being low birth weight he was 12lb 5oz at birth (his father was of even higher birth weight, was a slim child and is a slim 6ft man)

[joymaker]

Snowshades I forgot to add that I took a pregnancy multivitamin throughout.

DC1, nearly 4, has the same healthy diet and good oral hygiene as DC2 and has perfect teeth.

[Snowshades]

I asked because DS had the same thing and had to have teeth removed as they crumbled away, but he was only 4.5 lb even though 37.5 weeks because of IUGR where the placenta didn't allow calcium to get through to him.

Thought I'd just ask because I felt so guilty and the twatty dentist said it was because I did extended breast feeding but it turned out to be enamel hypoplasia and unavoidable.

I think you can remineralise his teeth. Fluoride is supposed to be useful and reducing all the risks like fruit juices and sweet things which you already know.

We were referred to the dental hospital too and the teeth removed under GA. DS s teeth crumbled away just like your boy and again horrifyingly fast and around the same age. . We are still awaiting for some big teeth and expect braces will be needed. Check with a pharmacist about using fluoride and cod liver oil etc as they are better qualified than dentists to advise on pharmaceutical things.

[Snowshades]

X posted! I'm sure from all that it's post birth you've had your problems and are just unlucky, some kids just have more susceptible teeth.

[joymaker]

SnowI didn't doubt that your questions were relevant Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience with me. I fear what you say may be the case and I have been giving him the daily fluoride tablet the dentist prescribed, I suppose I just feel a bit helpless and that I should be doing more/ be able to make it disappear. Silly really.

How is your son now? Do you expect braces because they removed a tooth? I hope all of his permanent teeth will not be affected

[mygrandchildrenrock]

One of my daughters is a dentist, and every Friday she operates on little children who need teeth taking out. They are usually not traumatised at all by it, even if their parents are!
I will speak to her later on today, and post again.

[joymaker]

I would really appreciate that mygrandchildrenrock I'm wondering in what instances it it necessary to remove teeth. The one that is starting to crumble isn't affected at the top.

[Snowshades]

By the time we got to the dental hospital some teeth had literally crumbled to stumps and they got DS under the anaesthetic and had a really good look and took 8 teeth out altogether from the top and the bottom. More than we thought

He was not xrayed but they said the other baby teeth looked ok which was a good sign for the big teeth. The baby teeth calcium is laid down in the womb so the crap placenta was to blame I'm sure, though I didn't take any vitamins and I hate milk. I ate yoghurts and cheese and normally I'm sure things would have been fine.

We're expecting braces because of all the gaps but it can't be helped.

Ours is a bit of a horror story but I thought if your DS was prem and it hadn't been explained to you, you were feeling guilty for something out of your control. Remember my DS was almost a third of the weight of your DS and small for a reason, which is why his case is so extreme. I am sure your DS won't need anything like this so try not to worry. I think its possible to remineralise so they could just end up a little discoloured which is nothing. My DS is used to chewing food at the back of his mouth and isn't in the slightest bit bothered, and we are just used to a gummy smile

[joymaker]

Gosh Snow you sound like you've really been through it! You must be very relieved that he is happy and well and that these issues are largely resolved

PurpleSproutingBroccoli on my thread in children's health said her dd's permanent teeth (after baby teeth decalcification) were very strong with no fillings even now at 15 yo which is very reassuring.

[mygrandchildrenrock]

Sorry for the long delay in replying!
Dentist DD says teeth are normally only taken out if they are causing pain or infection. If not, dentists can regularly monitor.
Other posts are correct to say dietary calcium/vitamins won't help already developed teeth. (However can benefit still forming adult teeth)
DD has not heard anything about cod liver oil being beneficial. You should use adult toothpaste on your child. If you're worried about them having too much fluoride, just use a tiny amount twice a day. Most important diet advice is to not use a bottle, and avoid pure fruit juice/smoothies. Whole fruit is fine, don't worry about giving your little one fruit to eat, but avoid dried fruit such as raisins etc. as these are high in sugar.
Milk or water is best for drinks. DD hopes that the teeth don't hurt however reassures me that the little ones she sees for teeth extractions at the hospital are always fine afterwards. Don't worry too much.