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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Children's health

Should I allow 13 teeth to be pulled for a 6 year old?

64 replies

TreeHuggerMum1 · 08/07/2015 16:01

Quick summary, DS stopped developing at 32 weeks, was born by emergency section at 34 weeks and has suffered with reflux ever since.
As a result he has quite poor teeth. At a dentist visit recently they said he need one filling, my little boy wouldn't let them do it and so the dentist said they would refer him to a child's dentist for assessment.
At child's dentist I have just been told his teeth are in a shooing state and there is no pint trying to save the tooth, they recommend removing the tooth alright under GA at the local hospital , however 12 other teeth have minor (two major) damage and will need to be pulled out too. I was mortified and incredibly angry. I said there must be a mistake, we are here for one tooth and she said hospital policy is to remove any damaged teeth while the child is under GA to save them having to have them removed under a further GA at a later date.
I have said no, that I want them filled and repaired and they don't think my son will allow them to do this. I have asked can he fillings under the GA and this is apparently too time consuming and so it is better if he just has 13 removed to make way for adult teeth.
I asked if could have just two or 3 out and they said no. All or nothing.
I'm lost, devastated and have no idea what to do for the best.
I went in there for one filling and now they want to take 13 teeth away, he's only 6!

OP posts:

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LashesandLipstick · 08/07/2015 16:04

Why would the other teeth have to be under GA? I had 4 teeth removed under LA at 6 (overcrowding), has procedure changed? Ask to see someone else?

madamweasel · 08/07/2015 16:06

Get a second opinion, perhaps see a children's dentist privately for advice?

TreeHuggerMum1 · 08/07/2015 16:06

They tried to do the original filling under LA and as soon as the needle went in he had a melt down and treatment stopped. That's why we were referred, these people were supposed to make this one tooth better.

OP posts:

HappySunflower · 08/07/2015 16:07

Whoah. I would be insisting upon a second opinion. If they remove that number of teeth then there may well not be enough space for the next lot to come through in some areas. This could lead to overcrowding and mean he needs braces later on.
How old is he now?
What they've said about repairing and filing is nonsense. It's far quicker and easier to do it under GA

RJnomore · 08/07/2015 16:09

Are they all milk teeth?

I know two children who had similar done both under ga and they have been fine, teenagers now ?ith healthy adult teeth. I wouldn't panic about it although obviously the less trauma he has the better.

There are some dentists on here I know - they might be able to give you an opinion.

yummytummy · 08/07/2015 16:09

hi op. I am a dentist and routinely do these lists. the information you have been given is correct. it is best to take all affected teeth in one go to avoid further repeat ga's. also at 6, generally they are too young to have fillings in the chair even with sedation and end up needing more teeth out anyway. it is best long term to go ahead although I know it is shocking for you. unfortunately decay for various reasons is common and the lists are full every week with 10-14 kids every week each needing to be asleep for multiple extractions.

TreeHuggerMum1 · 08/07/2015 16:09

He's 6.
I've literally cried all afternoon. Feeling like the worst mother in the world. I have two other children with beautiful and perfect teeth. I'm mortified by this.

OP posts:

yummytummy · 08/07/2015 16:10

happysunflower nowadays in hospitals there is no time for fillings under ga they are usually extraction lists only

yummytummy · 08/07/2015 16:12

don't cry I know its a shock but the fact that you are upset is good. the worst is when you tell parents their child needs eg ten teeth out and they are so blasé and not bothered

TreeHuggerMum1 · 08/07/2015 16:16

I just want the one nasty tooth out and to leave all the baby teeth to come out naturally. Can they really insist on taking all 13?
I literally can't stop crying, (appt was at 1pm).

OP posts:

ThisOneAndThatOne · 08/07/2015 16:16

we have a great private children's dentist locally that does GA for extractions.

If you can afford it, you may find them more willing to just extract the one tooth and fill the rest, as they will not be suffering from the same time/cost pressure as the NHS

WomanScorned · 08/07/2015 16:19

I felt the same way when 1 broken tooth became 8 extractions.
It was quite traumatic at the time (for both of us), but he was fine by the following day.
DS (5) was very self conscious at first, as he looked and sounded quite different. As others at school started to lose teeth, it stopped looking so extreme.
A friend was able to pay privately for a course of white fillings - we didn't have that option, though. I think it cost around £1000!

HappySunflower · 08/07/2015 16:20

Our children's hospital does filings under GA. I work there a fair bit and it's common practice for them to do so.
Still think it's worth getting a second opinion - if only so that you feel happier and more settled about things, and it sounds as though your son needs some extra support and reassurance too.
You haven't done anything wrong, but I can totally understand you being upset. Sadly it's just one of those things but it must be a shock to you after your first two children not having any issues.

LaCerbiatta · 08/07/2015 16:24

Question for the dentist who posted earlier and for those with experience: if you remove the teeth won't the definitive ones come out misaligned?

Dd had some cavities on baby teeth at the back and we were told here they should be pulled out. We then happened to see a private dentist in Portugal because she was in pain while we were there who said NOT TO TAKE THEM OUT until absolutely necessary. After taking a tooth out the adjacent ones would start moving to fill in the gap and there would be no space for the new one which would then come out all crooked.

So now we see a private dentist who has just filled the cavities. We know they won't hold forever and bits of tooth sometimes break but at least they'll be there making space for as long as possible.

yummytummy · 08/07/2015 16:25

Not all hospitals have facilities for filling under ga certainly not in this area. Op is he having pain in any of the teeth? Sometimes what parents like to do if no symptoms is wait and review and reassess in a month or two ask if this is an option. Or you can agree to say the 10 worst but you have to understand that there may then be a risk of another ga

yummytummy · 08/07/2015 16:27

Lacerbiatta. The teeth do keep the space yes but if the decay is so bad that the child is in pain and has abscesses etc then there is no other option but extraction. And you cannot justify a ga and only take some bad teeth and not others

MrsDeVere · 08/07/2015 16:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HappySunflower · 08/07/2015 16:29

You do have a choice about this - before the operation you will be asked to sign a consent form agreeing what they will do to what teeth.
In your position I think I'd be agreeing to the three with major damage being removed and three monthly monitoring for the rest.

Branleuse · 08/07/2015 16:36

no no no, do not do that without a second opinion

Ive known way too many shitty dentists "insist" that extensive work needs to be done, and it really doesnt, and the child ends up bloody phobic for life. Thats a massive amount of work that can probably be mostly avoided, but even if some of it cant, you MUST check with another dentist first. See if you can get local recommendations

FiveLittlePeas · 08/07/2015 16:59

Sorry, I'm not a dentist, but I definitely would not allow that done to my child. There has to be a middle way!! You can't just remove 12 teeth and pretend nothing major has happened! How will that child eat? speak? until the new teeth come out, which can take years... No, ask for a second opinion, improve dental hygiene as much as possible, but do not let them talk you into doing this extreme, savage thing to your child. There has to be another way, this is not done in other countries.

TreeHuggerMum1 · 08/07/2015 17:07

I asked about eating and they said his gums would harden over time and it wouldn't affect his eating.
Speech they said would improve over time too.

OP posts:

KittyandTeal · 08/07/2015 17:10

I taught a child who had this done (although his damage was due to weak teeth, his birth mum had a substance addiction while pregnant)

He had every baby tooth removed in one go. It took him a little time to get the hang of pronouncing words again, apples were a bit if an issue. Aside from that he was absolutely fine.

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Mrsmorton · 08/07/2015 17:15

He's due his first permanent molars and incisors now anyway? I'm
A dentist and absolutely agree with yummy . I spend my Sundays seeing children with abscesses and can do nothing to help them so I'm bound to say that. He will have no functional problems from losing these teeth and is avoiding chronic pain and infection and importantly, avoiding a repeat GA.

OP, have they talked to you about his permanent teeth? A mum I saw on Sunday wasn't aware her DC's permanent molars had erupted because you don't lose a tooth to get them, they just grow behind the last baby tooth. I only ask because they are often missed with brushing and also it's possible to seal them
So they are less prone to damage.

Mrsmorton · 08/07/2015 17:16

five what makes you think this isn't done in other countries?

yummytummy · 08/07/2015 17:33

Five. "Extreme, savage" really? The most common cause for ga in kids in this country is for extraction of teeth. Extractions due to decay which is 9 times out of 10 preventable. As far as i know dental ga is done in many countries

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