DS, 18m, has a chipped tooth that's just continuing to chip away! Plus, dark spots on the other teeth...HELP!

[RoRoMommy]

Hello all, and thanks in advance.

About two months ago, me and DS were wrestling and we hit our teeth against each other. My front tooth was slightly chipped, and his tooth just next to the front tooth was also chipped. He didn't cry or even whinge, just kept playing. In the last two weeks we've noticed that it's gradually chipping away, and it's just a little sharp nub now. He also seems to be in pain, and putting his fingers in his mouth a lot.

We've made a dentist appointment for Tuesday, but in advance I wanted to see if anyone has had a similar experience with a chipped baby tooth, and what the dentist recommended. Also wonder if anyone else's LO has slightly darkened spots on some of his other teeth, and they feel ridged if you run your finger on the surface.

Of course, I am completely freaking out. He's BF, and still has several feeds a day and throughout the night. He gets a multi-vitamin each day and shows no other signs of bad health--he has bright eyes, clear skin, and is very healthy generally. We try to brush his teeth each night, but of course with a toddler it's a challenge.

HELP! Anyone else have experience with this?

[hauntinghippoami]

I cannot help you regards the chipped tooth, but my dd has dark spots which feel ridged on her two baby front teeth.
The dentist said this was caused by me having a fever at the time the baby in my womb was coating the teeth in enamel. So there are bits of enamel missing on those teeth.
I did indeed have a heavy bout of flu during my pregnancy with dd.
My dentist tells me to brush dd's teeth thoroughly over thos patches to ensure no food gets lodged there.
He also tells me that this will not affect the strength of her adult teeth. So that is a relief.
Dd is now nearly 6 and the brown patches on her front teeth have never got bigger or caused her any pain.
All I can say is - brush his teeth twice a day minimum.
We have always brushed our dc's teeth twice a day and for dd this has meant the lack on enamel has not caused decay.

Good luck at the dentist

[SuperSillyus]

My ds2 and ds3 have broken little teeth and ds2 has dark patches. My dentist wasn't worried saying that just happens to some childrens teeth.

[RoRoMommy]

Thanks Haunting and Super, that's very reassuring.

Super, what did the dentist do about the broken teeth? DS's tooth seems to be causing him a good deal of pain.

Haunting, I don't remember being sick when DS was cooking, but perhaps it's some similar in utero cause.

I suppose the thing to do is just keep him comfortable until we can get him to the dentist. Thanks again!

[SuperSillyus]

The dentist didn't do anything at all. ds2 is complaining of a sore tooth today though so I think I need to take him for another checkup.

[RoRoMommy]

See my update here

[beeper]

It could be what is called 'flurosis' prob misspelt. Its what happens when the teeth get to much flouride, if your area has lots of fluridie in the water.

Also if they are crumbling it could be to do with a couple things, did or does your child have febrile convulsions?

My brothers came through bad and crumbled as he had lots of febrile convulsions and had to live on calpol in order to avoid them.

[RoRoMommy]

Thanks beeper; I didn't even know they put flouride in water in the UK? We are in Hackney.

DS hasn't ever had febrile convulsions (god I think I'd have all grey hair if he did!). I am starting to think it's the fruit and genetics...planned to top up his flouride treatments, but now I am not sure!