Almost totally rotted enamel on 22 month old's tooth !!

[plinkduet]

My baby's tooth has a whole patch of enamel missing :0 It's the 2nd tooth after the front one on the left. He's still breastfeeding but only from one side - the left - and I'm wondering if this has contributed to the rotting. I've never seen anythoing like it. Has anyone else seen such in a baby?

He has the occassional sweet and choc treat every few days but I do brush his teeth although admittedly not every day. Is this really all down to poor oral hygiene do you think?

[PurveyorOfBaloney]

He needs his teeth brushed twice a day, even if it is under duress, and especially if he is eating sweets and chocolate.

Kids can have poor enamel (particularly if given anti-Bs as babies), so it is not always down to poor oral hygiene, but in your case I'd have to say it seems likely

[ChunkyPickle]

I don't know about baby teeth, but one of my adult teeth came through with a big bubble (hole? I don't know) in the enamel - dentist said it just sometimes happens, and I had it capped.

[coccyx]

has he damaged it. my DC had a front tooth that went grey as he had knocked it on tabletop.

[worldgonecrazy]

I think your baby may just have weak teeth. I don't think that such a thing can be purely down to pure oral hygiene or diet, and I certainly would not condone forcing a child to brush their teeth at such a young age. You can try getting him to copy you if you brush your teeth at the same time, or do it gently for him.
There is some rubbish spouted (often by dentists who should know better) about bm rotting teeth but AFAIK there is no actual scientific evidence to support this.
Luckily it's baby teeth so his adult teeth may be better.

[Snuppeline]

Take your child to the dentist as a matter of urgency. We can only muse here but it would probably be better for you if a professional gave you their informed opinion based on actually seeing the tooth.

Book an appointment and in the mean time make sure you place a tooth brush with a little (age appropriate) tooth paste in your ds' mouth twice a day. Even if he wont let you brush it will be better to have some of the toothpaste present in the mouth than nothing. Stop giving jucie and sweets until you've seen the dentist.

[worldgonecrazy]

Just in case your dentist is one of those ill-informed ones, you may benefit from reading this first:

www.kellymom.com/bf/older-baby/tooth-decay.html

[betterwhenthesunshines]

My daughter has this all over her baby teeth. The dentist said it's quite common and it's just a 'hiccup' in the tooth development, nothing to do with teeth cleaning. The areas don't seem to cause her any discomfort although they can be more susceptible to decay so visit the dentist often for check ups. First baby tooth has just fallen out (age 6) so we're hoping the adult teeth are OK. I

[QuintessentialOldMoo]

Does he drink squash or juice from a sippy cup?

[Insomnia11]

My friend's DD had loads of tooth problems due to weak enamel, wasn't down to diet or lack of brushing.

[chocoholic]

He might have Enamel Hypoplasia. Wiki details here.
My DS has it so has a hole in his front tooth and very discoloured back teeth. It's really common I think and you must be diligent about brushing his teeth to limit the decay.

[betterwhenthesunshines]

that's it! Enamel Hypoplasia!

[plinkduet]

'it will be better to have some of the toothpaste present in the mouth than nothing.'

Um, toothpaste doesn't do anything, it's full of sugar! it's the brushing that removes plaque. In fact toothpaste probably does more harm than good to teeth I suspect. especially the children's ones with sorbitol and other luvverly synthetic ingredients in them :0

No, he doesn't drink juice ever, just mine and cow's milk. Lots of it, at least 2 pints a day, so it can't be calcium deficiency that's for sure :D

I just googled Enamel Hypoplasia on Images but couldn't find any that look like what my baby has. I'll see if I can upload a photo later for reference.

But yes, dentist, though my cynical nature warns me they will be eager to use microabrasion and worse, veneers! for the dollars it earns them :(

Thankyou for the input everyone, good to know it's common.
I think it's a combination of the sweets and me not brushing his teeth religiously twice a day but every couple of days. It's a good wake up call for me anyway I guess.

[pointydog]

dd2 had this. Not rotten, it's just that the enamel didn't form properly. Her adult teeth seem to be coming through ok and she has never needed fillings (now 12)

[Hulababy]

My 9y DD has almost no enamel on some of her back teeth. They came through this way and the teeth look quite brown and have crumbled or are mishaped in places. :ast year one had to be removed. Her other teeth are all fine, and so far all her second teeth are fine too and have proper enamel.

The dentit says that it is not her/our fault. That they have come trhough like it and even with the best brushing, flossing and mouth rinse routines we can't prevent them them from falling to bits basically. We are due to go to the dentist this month and I hoping she won't have to have another one removed :( He did say that some studies show that they form that way due to problems in pregnancy, such as bad sickness in the early months.

[iEmbarassedMyself]

DNephew's teeth all came through without enamel on them, his adult teeth are growing fine now though.
I'd take him to the dentists just to be sure there isn't anything wrong

[Grumpystiltskin]

plinkduet name one toothpaste that has sugar as an ingredient

[WincyEtNightie]

Toothpaste gives fluoride, no?

[thisisyesterday]

plinkduet... toothpaste does NOT have sugar in it! you can get "eco" ones if yo're worried aboutt he other ingredients, but it really is important to brush twice a day.

cows milk on the other hand, does have lots of sugar in. I'll be honest, it's unlikely to be the culprit (unless he has it from a bottle?), but if we're talking about sugar in stuff...!

things like dried fruit (esp raisins) are also really bad for teeth because as wel as being high in sugar they stick to the teeth and stick around longer than other foods, so if your little boy eats lots of things like tht it might be an idea to cut down

[thisisyesterday]

and i can assure you no dentist will recommend microabrasion or veneers for a 22 month old baby!!!

[mathanxiety]

No sugar in toothpaste. Sorbitol (sugar alcohol) does not contribute to tooth decay. Toothpaste that contains fluoride can help teeth, but shouldn't be swallowed. Milk does have sugars..

[CravingExcitement]

Just brush his teeth, he'll get used to it when he realises it's non-negotiable. Don't let him do it himself, he'll just suck it off the brush.
His problem could be caused by all sorts of things, but not brushing his teeth sounds like the main factor.

[Grumpystiltskin]

What they all said. Honestly to say that toothpaste has sugar in it is complete lies. Fluoride helps to strengthen teeth absolutely beyond doubt and I would never ever ever suggest that a child should not have topical fluoride around their teeth. It is so beneficial you would be almost cruel not to use Fluoridated toothpaste. If any dentist actually WANTED to use microabrasion of veneers on anyone of that age they would seriously need their head examining. Despite being enormously inappropriate and unethical, it would be harder than a hard thing to do!

[CravingExcitement]

I know it's hard to brush a toddler's teeth, and a pain in the arse, and you feel horrible if they don't like you doing it, but so much better than him having to have fillings, extractions etc.

[PfftTheMagicDragon]

Whether toothpaste has sugar in or not (it doesn't) is irrelevant.

Whether brushing is the most important thing or not is irrelevant.

Irrelevant as you have already said that you don't even brush his teeth every day!

So it matters not if toothpaste is bad, or brushing is better - as you don't do it anyway!

His teeth are important - brush the fuckers!

[CravingExcitement]