Worried about DD's (2) teeth.

[Hairyfairybumscary]

Hi my DD turned 2 in August. I've always been scrupulous when it comes to brushing teeth. It's one thing I'm very keen on.

Any way, I was brushing them tonight and I noticed that her upper left molar had a white line in the centre of it (in the groove if you get where I'm coming from) none of her other teeth look to have this.

I'm obviously going to book her a dentist's appointment but I need reassuring (or otherwise) until then. I have heard that this is a sign of tooth decay I've always been so careful, brushed her teeth twice a day with a good quality toothpaste, she even has an electric toothbrush. Sweets are kept to a minimum and she isn't keen on drinking milk or fruit squash so she's always drank water. She does however eat a lot of fruit. Always has and I've encouraged it but now I'm thinking maybe it wasn't such a good idea. The rest of her teeth look OK from what I can see and I took her to the dentist a couple of months back who said her teeth looked fine.

I've also heard that too much fluoride can contribute to these white spots but that it's quite rare. I encourage her to spit after she's brushed her teeth but she hasn't quite gotten the hang of it yet so she generally swallows.

[d270r0]

I've got white spots in my teeth, always have done. But also never had any problems with my teeth, no fillings etc. The dentist said it was a lot of calcium when I was young. I wouldn't worry about it at all, ask the dentist but I doubt its a problem.

[Hairyfairybumscary]

Thank you. I think I'm maybe being overly worried!!

[AdjustableWench]

You're taking much more care of your DD's teeth than I ever managed with my kids - my sense of routine is very poor. But I have three kids, and the eldest is in her mid teens, and none of them have any fillings, despite my apparent neglect (even though I have a mouth full of metal). So I think it's likely that your DD's teeth are even healthier than my kids' teeth.

Fruit is good for toddlers: they like sweet things and fruit is better for them than sweets or chocolate, and it gets them into good habits for later. At that age they can tolerate the sugars in fruit very well, because they tend to be very active, and regular brushing will help with oral hygiene. So you're doing everything right - probably better than many of us manage.

I reckon the chances are very good that the white lines are just a feature of your DD's teeth and not a sign of tooth decay (which is actually quite unusual at that age unless you were giving her bottles of coke several times a day).

Good luck at the dentist!

[Sighing]

My dentist suggested flourise deposits as in areas of flourinated water it is possible, with toothpastes as well, to get more than is necessary for protecting developing teeth.

[Senpai]

It's a sign of enamel wearing thin, not necessarily a cavity. What kind of fruits does she eat? Oranges are acidic and can wear on the enamel.

There's a good chance that she probably just needs a small coat of faux enamel applied with a little paintbrush to protect the tooth from further erosion, not an actual cavity.

[Hairyfairybumscary]

She does eat a lot of oranges and bananas. She likes berries too. I worry as her half sister (my partners DD from a previous relationship) is 6 and has really bad teeth. They are brown and have huge craters in them and two of her back molars have effectively snapped! Her DM has admitted its probably partially down the fact that she didn't brush her teeth until she was almost 3 years old.

[MiniCooperLover]

I would stop using the electric toothbrush. I asked at my hygienist appt what was a good age for them to start using one and she said 5/6 because their teeth are quite soft.