My children each have a filling

[tactum]

Dentist trip yesterday with DD (15) and DS (13).

DD had to have the tiniest composite filling on a back tooth - dentist said it's the smallest of holes but to prevent further need best to get it done - didn't need anasthetic or anything, just did it there and then. She had similar one last year. Now has fissure sealant on all molars.

DS was fne yesterday and she really complemented him on his brushing - phew! However he had one upper molar last year which has emerged with much weaker enamel than all his other teeth - he very quickly needed a black filing in it. All his other teeth are perfect.

Is this unusual? In the 70's when I grew up it seemed like most people had a few fillings by the time they were young adults. These days there seems to be far more emphasis on everyone having perfect teeth and any hint of non-perfection is a blot on the parent's copybook and I must be doing something wrong.

Am I? Or am I beating myself up. It's not the end of the world is it?

No it's not the end of the world. My ds had a couple of fillings around age 8 in baby teeth. They are now gone as the teeth fell out. He also had weak enamel on his molars so will have to be careful with his adult teeth. Dd (13) had no fillings yet and ds is now 10 and had none again.

I had quite a few as a child (also 70s) and don't remember being pushed to brush my teeth the way I encourage my kids to. I have fillings in most of my molars I think

I'm 24 and have no fillings (I'm also an ex dental nurse) however I'm the exception within friends of a similar age, most have had several fillings