Hole in molar under 2 years old

[Greybearskip]

Hello everyone I am looking for some advice and reassurance I guess. I've just been playing with my toddler and i see what looks like two holes in his top molars. I am devastated. My question is will dentists be able to help us at the moment? My worry is I don't want them to get worse and cause pain. He's so little. I feel so guilty and just so sad.

Pain is the right word. Thank you for your support stairgates

We co-slept as well, Greybear. The dentist said it was quite common, and that health visitors etc never tell you about the risks. She did tell me not to feel bad though, and that he would have benefitted in lots of other ways. Wish I'd have known though!

Thank you all I'm starting to feel calmer. We've got a dental appointment later...and I think some changes are going to need to come in

Exactly this barfotoliv! Mine all have lovely shaped teeth which is a benefit from the breast feeding, they are all aligned in a lovely position :)

I am still thinking about this thread as I potter around and remembered, if its of any help and you think about stopping the breast feeding route, that I would put lemon juice on my boobies at night to deter him from latching on! He would be half asleep, lean in for his comfort and get a little sour shock! It did work, still sad to be letting them go but for a practical tip if yu need it, maybe think of trying the lemon juice and switch to lime if he gets used to the taste :)

Posted over you :) Good luck today :)

Thank you

Breastfeeding does not cause cavities as long as you brush their teeth before night feeding, same as with bottle feeding. The problem is not the breastmilk, it is the combination of milk +food bits that is the problem.

I think I need to be honest with myself and admit our brushing has been below par...its so hard to wrestle twice a day to do a good job and I think the top where these holes are are where has been missed. What has happened is probably a combination of factors...

Op. Dentist here

Firstly it may not be cavities. It could just be the natural shape of his molars.

Secondly its unlikely to be the breastfeeding. Tooth decay is a combination of a diet high in sugar and poor oral hygeine. If you know your brushing has been less than ideal this is where to start. Also look at his diet throughout the day.

Thirdly black isnt always bad. Tooth decay in children thats minimal can be stopped - it turns black. Theres things that can be done but it very much depends on the extent and the childs compliance. Most of the time in young children you can scoop the decay out and just place a little filling in. But it depends. Sometimes a metal crown can be used but 2 is maybe a bit young.

If its just a little black spot it might just need monitoring for a bit.

I know its unlikely but in some cases is it possible, not arguing :) and glad of a professional answer :) if we brush the teeth then soak them with breast milk for 10 hrs afterwards is this definitely fine? I know for me my little one literally would fall off the boob then reattach himself all night long. His teeth would be brushed at night so Im sure he didnt have food bits left on his front teeth overnight. Our diet is not organic but family meals, no juice or squash as my lot go through it in seconds if its in the house. I look at my little one and am literally crushed at what was different from him than my others, the only thing is the extended breast feeding? Or can they just be born with weak enamel? Happy for advice here too as we are still gong through this.

Thank you dish

@stairgates

Its not impossible that all night breastfeeding could lead to decay. However on its own its unlikely to be the primary cause

Theres evidence that breastfeeding up to 12 months decreases risk of tooth decay. After this theres not much evidence either way. The general consensus is breast milk is non cariogenic, children have been breastfeeding for much longer than theyve been getting early childhood caries!

Some teeth can have malformed enamel - this is when they are hypomineralised. However this would normally be picked up at a check up

Its not just about how much sugar/sugary drinks a child consumes. Its about the frequency of consumption, generally you want to limit the number of exposures to max 4 a day. Each meal will contain sugar so your 3 meals and one other. This includes any sugar so yoghurts/dried fruit etc. Generally consumption of water/milk and breastmilk are excluded from this.

A childs diet can be in principle the same, however no two children will eat exactly the same. For example some children will gulp down drinks, others sip. Some children might pool food or tend to suck sweet foods for example.

Hmm reading that dish grazing might be a problem too. Do you think they will be able to treat today with the restrictions in place?

Hi Dish, would you mind answering a question for me too, if you don't mind? At the assessment we also discovered that his front two teeth are non-vital. This seems to have been caused by a bad knock to his mouth on a coffee table a few years ago. They are offering us the option to remove these two, alongside the two decayed ones, but have stressed it is up to us. They have never given him any pain or bother. We unsure if its best to remove these or wait until they fall out of their own accord. What would you recommend? If you don't mind! Thank you!

Not a dentist bar but a dental nurse who works alongside a dentist who wouldn't take children's teeth out if they are not causing any pain as it keeps the space. Once the teeth are removed the teeth will start shifting.
Of course dish will give you the answer you need but thought I'd let you know what my dentist I work with suggests.

barfotoliv I'm a dentist.
What age is your child? If the teeth are close to exfoliating naturally I would probably just leave? Any pain? Any swelling? Are they mobile?
If any other teeth are decayed in the mouth, and a plan is made for extraction ( under general anaesthetic), then the dentist would include all teeth that are of poor prognosis, to be extracted in one go, to avoid multiple procedures.
But if it's just one or two teeth, unsightly, but no other symptoms, and depending on age, I would probably leave

Thank you both Spill and Poirpose. He's 5. He has no pain or issues with them. They don't seem to be mobile yet though. They're going to take the two decayed molars out under GA, but they've said we can chose what to do with the two non-vital ones at the front. I think we will leave them given your advice. Really appreciated, thanks again.

*Porpoise!

Jumping on this thread to ask if there's any advice for a 15 month old who will not allow me to brush his teeth without a fight. He bites the toothbrush and clenches his mouth shut, and pulls my hands away. I give him another toothbrush to chew which distracts him a bit, but I'm worried I'm not getting a really good clean done. He has all right front teeth and three molars

*all eight

He's fine with the crown. They just push them on top of the tooth.

No replacement, it will fall out when his adult tooth comes in.

@barfotoliv the reason they offer is to prevent the need for further general anaesthetic. If they begin to cause pain before they fall out naturally you're back at square one needing GA and another potentionally traumatic visit to the hospital. Our trust are very strict that ALL teeth with signs of decay come out under the first GA, regardless of of it is causing pain. I understand its not actually decay in your DS's case though

@YerAWizardHarry yes, that's what our own dentist had said, that they will take out all teeth with signs of decay to prevent further GA, so I was surprised when at the assessment we had been told we had the choice with the front two. I'm presuming this is because they're not actually decayed? Thanks you your advice 😊

Just to update we went to the dentist and we are limiting sugar, reducing grazing, stopping night feeds and being strict with brushing. The holes weren't filled and I'm anxious they will just grow and grow. Would anyone know why they weren't filled? Is he too young?