Dentist a bit over-zealous?

[Mij]

We all went to our new dentist en masse last week. No surprise that DP needs a crown, but he also suggested I needed a night guard because I have a clicky jaw (always have had incidentally, can't see any change) and needed a replacement filling.

He also showed me a tiny brown mark on DDs molar (she's 3.5 - naturally I'm mortified cos we're pretty hot on brushing and she doesn't have any of the usual suspects for early decay) and started talking about waiting 'til it gets bigger and then filling it.

Firstly - I have no real idea why I need a night guard. The jaw thing doesn't bother me so the prospect of it 'getting worse' doesn't really mean anything. Secondly, I know that decay in milk teeth can cause problems for adult teeth (not clear how though) but wasn't it a bit early to be talking about filling it? You can't even see this spot without shining a torch in her mouth...

Any dentists out there with pearls of wisdom..? I've got a maternity certificate at the mo so it's worth me getting stuff done before it runs out.

[sandcastles]

Well re the decay...It shouldn't cause any
problems for the adult tooth as long as it is treated & not left to completely rot the tooth....by which time your dd will be in a lot of pain, so I doubt that would happen.

The fact that you can't see it unless you have a torch doesn't matter, because 1) it doesn't mean it isn't there & 2) it doesn't mean it won't grow (and once the bacteria has gotten thru the enamel to the dentine, it progresses v quickly) bigger & start to hurt her.

Also, decay can creep under the enamel so although it looks as tho it is only a tiny spot to you, it could be larger underneath, which is harder/impossible to see to the eye. And often not seen by the pt until the tooth collapses.

Re the nightguard...I have never heard of one used for a clicking jaw. Do you have any other symptoms like headaches in the morning, or do you grind/clench?

I don't see how your dentist is over zealous, tbh. Sounds like a reasonable treatment plan to me.

I am glad that I am not longer in dentistry...I find having to defend the profession at every turn quite defeating!

[CharlieBoo]

No idea re the brown mark, no experience of this. I do have a clicky jaw, have had for over 10 years now. Mine was quite bad at one point but I only just opened my mouth really wide to see if it still did it when I read this post. I do/did have a guard and it helps enourmously. If it's free just say yes!!

[Mij]

DP away = no mumsnet time

Sandcastles thanks for your info. I'm not attacking dentists, and my post was a question rather than a statement! I got freaked by the thought of having to get a child's tooth filled, as my daughter is far from compliant when it comes to being messed with in any way physically, and the guy doesn't have a great way with kids. Or adults actually. A lifetime of having to drag a screaming child to the dentist flashed before my eyes. I believe the spot is there, and that it can grow, I guess I expected a bit of 'do extra good brushing and we'll keep an eye on it', because that's what I'm used to dentists telling me! I've apparently had 'sticky patches' on two teeth for over a decade - never seem to deteriorate. But that's me not her...

I don't think I grind but I suspect I clench - I'm an explosive person with a short tether, and if watching my father is anything to go by, I imagine I clench when under pressure (quite often) or trying not to go postal. I suppose I was taken aback as I didn't report any symptoms, he just suggested a guard after noticing I had trouble relaxing my tongue and hearing my jaw click. It was good of him to suggest getting it while it's free, I just can't see me using it when nowt is actually bothering me iyswim. Don't want to waste £200 of taxpayer's cash.

charlieboo did your jaw bother you before getting the guard?

[JetLi]

Hi Mij

[mumofaboy]

My sister has had a brown spot on one of her teeth for years - it has never gotten any bigger and her dentist says this is due to her very rigorous brushing (she had a brace as a teenager so she is quite anal about her teeth). If you are very throrough whith her teeth you may be able to stop it spreading further - perhaps keep at bay until the tooth naturally falls out? I'm certainly no expert BTW!

[Mij]

Hi JetLi! [waves] How's things?

[Tortington]

i think overzealousness is part of the JD - I have never been told off by any other 'professional' they are like the dodgy mehanics of the professional world...all sucking in air and shaking of heads, always with a fuking lecture - your teeth are fine then they tell you not to have ookies in the house and not to give treets to the kids - like fuCK off numbnuts - just hek the teeth give my gob an MOT and have done.