Tooth decay in 7yo - mortified!!!

SnowyCactus · 2021-08-23T17:29:27+00:00

My 7yo dd has been complaining of sensitivity/toothache and I've had a look today and her canine has basically a third of it missing and it's black underneath. I am absolutely mortified! I will admit that she eats too many sweet things and isn't thorough enough with brushing, and it's 100% my fault. I am so disappointed with myself and feel like I've let her down massively. I'm going to ring the dentist tomorrow and get her an appointment as she hasn't been seen for well over a year due to covid. She has many issues with anxiety and we have to do a lot of talking through different situations. Can anyone tell me what the dentist will likely do? Will they have to remove it? I can't imagine it can be filled at all. She's going to be terrified and I'm so upset about it (obviously I haven't let her see me upset and I'm reassuring her!). If anyone can give me an insight in to what might happen I'll be most grateful.

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cheesecrackerz · 23/08/2021 18:34

Bloody hell, a canine in that state? That's not good

Hopefully it's a baby tooth? I assume they would remove it, which would require a local anaesthetic injection into the gum. I had a tooth pulled age 9 and it was pretty traumatic. Can you plan a nice treat for after the appointment?

At least you can learn from this!

WoMandalorian · 23/08/2021 18:34

Is it a baby tooth? Is it loose?
My DD (4) was born without enamel on two of her teeth. Dentist said it's common in babies who are on a lot of antibiotics when born and that nothing can be done. Just brush thoroughly and try to avoid infection. If they keep getting infected then she said that they will remove the tooth that is causing problems but they don't like to do that as it causes the adult tooth to come in earlier than it naturally would.
However 7 is the right age to be losing baby teeth so perhaps the advice will be different for her age.

Original poster

SnowyCactus · 23/08/2021 18:36

@cheesecrackerz

Bloody hell, a canine in that state? That's not good

Hopefully it's a baby tooth? I assume they would remove it, which would require a local anaesthetic injection into the gum. I had a tooth pulled age 9 and it was pretty traumatic. Can you plan a nice treat for after the appointment?

At least you can learn from this!

Thanks for the reply. I think it's a canine. It's not the very front or the one next to it, it's the one next to that. It's a baby tooth thankfully.

I can't believe it and I've definitely had a massive wake up call! I always had problems with my teeth as a kid (not preventable, sadly) and it wasn't nice.

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Houseofvelour · 23/08/2021 18:38

DH is a dentist and he says that if what you're saying is correct, then the likelihood is the tooth will need to be removed.

Original poster

SnowyCactus · 23/08/2021 18:39

@WoMandalorian

Is it a baby tooth? Is it loose? My DD (4) was born without enamel on two of her teeth. Dentist said it's common in babies who are on a lot of antibiotics when born and that nothing can be done. Just brush thoroughly and try to avoid infection. If they keep getting infected then she said that they will remove the tooth that is causing problems but they don't like to do that as it causes the adult tooth to come in earlier than it naturally would. However 7 is the right age to be losing baby teeth so perhaps the advice will be different for her age.

Yes it's a baby tooth but it's not loose. I've had a really good look at the rest of her teeth and I can't see any other obvious signs with her other teeth but obviously the dentist will probably see differently.

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Houseofvelour · 23/08/2021 18:40

@Houseofvelour

DH is a dentist and he says that if what you're saying is correct, then the likelihood is the tooth will need to be removed.

First appointment will almost certainly be just an assessment so no treatment. If she's very nervous, she'll most likely be referred for sedation.

Original poster

SnowyCactus · 23/08/2021 18:41

@Houseofvelour

DH is a dentist and he says that if what you're saying is correct, then the likelihood is the tooth will need to be removed.

Oh dear, that's not good. Thank you so much for replying.

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Original poster

SnowyCactus · 23/08/2021 18:43

@Houseofvelour ah thank you, I wasn't sure if they would do it all in one go. She can be very brave sometimes so we'll have to see. I am genuinely so mortified about this!

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Hellocatshome · 23/08/2021 18:44

DS was born with no/very thin enamel on all his teeth. He had to have his first removed when he was 3 and had a few more fall out before they were taken out. Its not always down yo bad dental hygiene but as you seem to know there is a problem in that department then make sure you fix it. DS had his tooth removed under a general anesthetic and there were some older ones there as well. So maybe they will treat her at hospital rather than the dentist so they can sedate her.

Original poster

SnowyCactus · 23/08/2021 18:46

@Hellocatshome

DS was born with no/very thin enamel on all his teeth. He had to have his first removed when he was 3 and had a few more fall out before they were taken out. Its not always down yo bad dental hygiene but as you seem to know there is a problem in that department then make sure you fix it. DS had his tooth removed under a general anesthetic and there were some older ones there as well. So maybe they will treat her at hospital rather than the dentist so they can sedate her.

Thank you, that's really helpful. I'm hoping it's just the one which is problematic but we will have to see

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Aquamarine1029 · 23/08/2021 18:46

If it's a baby tooth, it will be removed. You need to sit down with your daughter and have a big conversation about how her dental hygiene practices have to change, and you will have to very carefully monitor the situation.

Hadalifeonce · 23/08/2021 18:47

DS had a couple of problems when he was very young. The dentist said that problems can start in the womb, possibly I had been unwell when teeth were forming, so it may be nothing to do with current dental hygiene.

Original poster

SnowyCactus · 23/08/2021 18:51

Thanks everyone. Im definitely not trying to find excuses for it, I know it's extremely likely that it's a too much sugar/not thorough enough brushing combination. I've been reading up and even things such as raisins and fruit juice can cause problems, which seems so obvious now but I never really considered it that much. I have a lot to learn.

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Aquamarine1029 · 23/08/2021 18:54

I have a lot to learn

Everything will be fine, op. You know now things need to change and I'm sure you'll get this sorted. Luckily, it's only a baby tooth!

Original poster

SnowyCactus · 23/08/2021 18:59

@Aquamarine1029

I have a lot to learn

Everything will be fine, op. You know now things need to change and I'm sure you'll get this sorted. Luckily, it's only a baby tooth!

Thank you for being so kind. I'm really hoping it's just the one tooth which has a problem (and that we can get seen an the dentist quickly!)

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SusannaM · 23/08/2021 18:59

DD had a pretty badly decayed adult molar at 11. Her diet was fine, but brushing had always been an appalling battle, they were always brushed daily (although often only once) the dentist made me feel completely shit, so much so that we switched dentists, as he put her off looking after her teeth even more. I was also suspicious that every other tooth was perfect.
Second dentist said there were issues with the enamel, filled it and coated it. Her teeth have been fine now for years, even though her diet is now appalling.

Original poster

SnowyCactus · 23/08/2021 19:04

@SusannaM

DD had a pretty badly decayed adult molar at 11. Her diet was fine, but brushing had always been an appalling battle, they were always brushed daily (although often only once) the dentist made me feel completely shit, so much so that we switched dentists, as he put her off looking after her teeth even more. I was also suspicious that every other tooth was perfect. Second dentist said there were issues with the enamel, filled it and coated it. Her teeth have been fine now for years, even though her diet is now appalling.

This is reassuring thank you. We signed up to a new dentist at the end of 2019 after struggling to find one for a long time, and they have been really nice every time we have been so hopefully it won't be too stressful!

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Mscarna · 23/08/2021 19:07

Isn't that when they fall out? I'm sure dd had a couple removed as the new ones were growing under them.

TwinkleMerrick · 23/08/2021 19:15

Hey don't be so hard on yourself, let it be a good lesson for her to look after her teeth moving forwards.

My little one is also terrified of the dentist after her first visit they were all in proper full on PPE and looked like monsters. I have spoken to the dentist about this and they have been great, they are letting me take her in with me to 'watch'. I would suggest explaining how anxious she is and they may have some good ideas to calm her nerves. I bet they deal with this all the time.

If it's a baby tooth then at least she will grown another, if it's an adult tooth, learn from it and move on. No point in mentally abusing yourself now xx

Original poster

SnowyCactus · 23/08/2021 19:21

@TwinkleMerrick

Hey don't be so hard on yourself, let it be a good lesson for her to look after her teeth moving forwards.

My little one is also terrified of the dentist after her first visit they were all in proper full on PPE and looked like monsters. I have spoken to the dentist about this and they have been great, they are letting me take her in with me to 'watch'. I would suggest explaining how anxious she is and they may have some good ideas to calm her nerves. I bet they deal with this all the time.

If it's a baby tooth then at least she will grown another, if it's an adult tooth, learn from it and move on. No point in mentally abusing yourself now xx

Thank you, honestly I was expecting to get flamed for being a terrible mother! I am kicking myself though and we will be much stricter moving forward. I'd actually cut right down on sugary stuff/snacks over the past few months but it's crept back up over the summer holidays.

I'll explain to them when I call tomorrow about how nervous she will be. They have been really nice when we've had appointments previously so I'm hoping it will be ok.

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Di11y · 23/08/2021 19:35

You do the best with the information you have. You know now and can be stricter, savoury snacks where possible, sweet food and drink only with meals.

And brush teeth in the morning before breakfast not after when the teeth enamel is softened.

Original poster

SnowyCactus · 23/08/2021 19:37

@Di11y

You do the best with the information you have. You know now and can be stricter, savoury snacks where possible, sweet food and drink only with meals.

And brush teeth in the morning before breakfast not after when the teeth enamel is softened.

Ooh I didn't know that about pre-breakfast brushing and I'm in my 30s!! feel like an idiot. Will start doing that, thank you.

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Bellagonna · 23/08/2021 19:40

There are some good Facebook groups for enamel hypoplasia if it is that.

TwinkleMerrick · 23/08/2021 19:43

@SnowyCactus a little tip I was told by the dentist, make them drink water after eating, it really helps with washing away the sugar. You may already do this, but my little one heard this and will do it herself now. Infact she will only drink water now.

Mrsmorton · 23/08/2021 19:47

The canines should be in place for a good few years yet. They are also rarely affected by hypoplasia IME. Glad it's a wake up call OP, hopefully you've noticed her first permanent molars that should have started erupting behind her last baby molar? They need special attention as the rate of decay in them is astronomical.