AIBU to doubt butcher dentist?

[Homebirdmama]

Long story short. Moved home, moved to a highly recommended dentist. Have had horrendous issues since I went 3 weeks ago and in continuous pain BUT that's a different story. I just wanted to set the back story so you can understand why I am a bit dubious of their advice.

My LO who is 2.5 has some yellow bits on her bottom teeth. I noticed this about 8months ago. Took her to the local dentist at the time (different one to now) and was told it's nothing and all children get it. They have rapidly declined since.
New dentist looks and says its tartar and not to worry. I AM WORRIED!
I don't think it looks encouraging and I'm sure it's getting worse by every week.
I have always been super consious about diet. LO only drinks water. She's never had sweets. Chocolate and cake is once in a blue moon and fruit is perhaps one piece a day/every other day.

AIBU?Should I just listen to butcher dentist? Any advice?

Very concerned mama.......

But are you cleaning her teeth properly? It's all well & good having a healthy diet but you still need to brush properly & the yellow bits look like the areas that require more attention with the brush.

If it's tartar you can work on getting rid of it. Use an electric brush ( you can get child friendly ones) and look on YouTube for videos on technique. Advanced tartar can cause gum pain, recession and long term gum disease so it's best to get on top of it now.

Once calculus (tartar) is present it can't be brushed off. It is plaque that has calcified. The only way to remove it is to have it professionally cleaned off which a not yet 3 year old is not going to tolerate. Yes the diet is great but the teeth are not being brushed properly. Try getting some disclosing tablets to show the areas you are missing.

This happened to my daughter too when she was younger. I booked her in with the lovely dental hygienist who cleaned off all the tartar and also showed us all the places where we had been missing with the brush. The electric toothbrushes Sonicare are really good too and they do a kids version.

Ps my DD got on fine with the professional cleaning/hygienist appointment but she was a couple of years older then yours at the time. Maybe enquire re a referral to community dental service in your are as they will be used to working with young children.

Just to add to my post. We brush morning and night and LO sits in my lap facing away from me see what a good angle on all areas

do you use floride toothpaste?
does dc still have milk at bedtime?

some people just have weak teeth.

Thank you all.

Cowardly, that's good to know they got it off! I thought it was one of those things that couldn't be professionally removed?

Purple, yes we use fluoride toothpaste and no LO has not had milk at bedtime for a very long time now.

Weak teeth doesn't explain a build-up of tartar. That's just repeatedly missing bits when brushing, and once you've got that rough surface coating it builds up quickly.

Do you think your daughter would tolerate a bit of a scale and polish? Then invest in an electric toothbrush.

Shatners. I have no idea. I'll happily let the (not butcher dentist) try it. I'm seeing a new one tomorrow so hoping they'll see LO.

Do you think a scale and polish will remove it? I really didnt think it'd come off. I'm petrified of it all turning black and them having to be extracted!

Yes, they'll be able to get it off with no damage to the tooth's surface.

DS had this on his top front teeth - the dentist washed it off yesterday using their little spray thingy (!). He didn't really scrape much. DS is 6 though.

You've mentioned that you don't give your DD sweets etc, however are you aware that foods that contain natural sugars or that are acidic need to be limited as well? (Things such as fruit juices, smoothies and sticky fruits such as raisins and apricots) as they can cause tooth decay.

I know that you're concerned, however she's probably a bit young to be having the plaque cleaned off her teeth.

I'd just keep up with the brushing her teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes, and try and limit sticky fruits and fruit juices (if she has them).

Fluoride varnish can be added to her teeth when she gets a bit older, to help protect her adult teeth.

www.nhs.uk/Livewell/dentalhealth/Pages/Careofkidsteeth.aspx

It's hard to see properly from the photo but it could be hypoplasia. My DS has it on his back teeth.
www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/life-stages/adult-oral-care/article/enamel-hypoplasia-hypomineralization-and-teeth-effects-0915