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Problem with my one year olds teeth

8 replies

Nadcat · 03/06/2024 17:42

My son has a dentist appointment coming up soon to check his teeth out. But I can’t help but worry. Does anyone have any idea what this could be?

Problem with my one year olds teeth
OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
bfsham · 03/06/2024 19:31

The brown spots on the upper central incisors look a lot like enamel hypoplasia or enamel hypomaturation. Difficult to tell entirely from a photo.
Teeth that are affected like this (for whatever reason -there can be lots of reasons) are very, very susceptible to caries /decay and breaking down further.
It's vitally important to watch sugar intake. All sugar should be confined to one of the 3 mealtimes, as the pudding. Don't give your child juice /cordial or any other sweetened drink at all, but definitely never get them between meals. Regular teeth can 'remineralise' between mealtimes but if you're snacking on sugar between meals, teeth never get a chance to 'repair' IFYSWIM. Hypoplastic teeth, you have to be even more mindful.
Milk consumption-should be onto a lidded cup /beaker by now if FF. If using a bottle, stop that as soon as. Milk pooling in the mouth with a teated bottle will compromise those teeth further. Never let a baby or toddler with teeth fall asleep directly after the last night feed -be that FF or breast. You have to brush teeth with a toothpaste containing 1000 ppm Fluoride after the last milk at night for 1-3 year olds.

Raisins, most crisps, yoghurts, smoothies, other dried fruit, juice of any type (there is no such thing as sugar -free juice, no matter how it's described in the UK-it's all to mislead you about sugar content)-these all contain sugar. So remember to consume the above items WITH a meal not between meals.

Snacks between meals- bread + butter, veg crudities, fresh fruit (not in massive quantities as will cause erosion -another dental problem), cheese, sliced meats etc are best to eat between meals to reduce the chance of decay.
Good luck and make sure you brush your child's teeth 2 daily with age appropriate fluoride toothpaste. Remember, it's a non-negotiable activity of daily living when your child is uncooperative with toothbrushing. Make a game but if that doesn't do the trick, wrap in a towel and get on with it.

Lavender14 · 03/06/2024 19:39

bfsham · 03/06/2024 19:31

The brown spots on the upper central incisors look a lot like enamel hypoplasia or enamel hypomaturation. Difficult to tell entirely from a photo.
Teeth that are affected like this (for whatever reason -there can be lots of reasons) are very, very susceptible to caries /decay and breaking down further.
It's vitally important to watch sugar intake. All sugar should be confined to one of the 3 mealtimes, as the pudding. Don't give your child juice /cordial or any other sweetened drink at all, but definitely never get them between meals. Regular teeth can 'remineralise' between mealtimes but if you're snacking on sugar between meals, teeth never get a chance to 'repair' IFYSWIM. Hypoplastic teeth, you have to be even more mindful.
Milk consumption-should be onto a lidded cup /beaker by now if FF. If using a bottle, stop that as soon as. Milk pooling in the mouth with a teated bottle will compromise those teeth further. Never let a baby or toddler with teeth fall asleep directly after the last night feed -be that FF or breast. You have to brush teeth with a toothpaste containing 1000 ppm Fluoride after the last milk at night for 1-3 year olds.

Raisins, most crisps, yoghurts, smoothies, other dried fruit, juice of any type (there is no such thing as sugar -free juice, no matter how it's described in the UK-it's all to mislead you about sugar content)-these all contain sugar. So remember to consume the above items WITH a meal not between meals.

Snacks between meals- bread + butter, veg crudities, fresh fruit (not in massive quantities as will cause erosion -another dental problem), cheese, sliced meats etc are best to eat between meals to reduce the chance of decay.
Good luck and make sure you brush your child's teeth 2 daily with age appropriate fluoride toothpaste. Remember, it's a non-negotiable activity of daily living when your child is uncooperative with toothbrushing. Make a game but if that doesn't do the trick, wrap in a towel and get on with it.

All of this is really good information but I would just say that there is a difference between breast and cows milk/formula and it's highly unlikely that a child who falls asleep at the breast is at risk of tooth decay as a result of breast milk pooling in the mouth. La Leche League has more information on this if anyone needs it as most of the guidance is aimed at cows milk/ formula. It's extremely common for breastfeeding children to be fed to sleep and to feed during the night, especially if co sleeping. It's an important part of maintaining supply and the feeding relationship and it's very common for a lot of children to not night wean until they are older. Many dentists recognise that breastfeeding at night will not cause dental issues.

Nadcat · 03/06/2024 22:49

Thank you so much for your replies. It is really helpful. I have been guilty of giving him a lot of yogurts and fruit/smoothies thinking that was good for him, I never considered the affects on his teeth. It’s nice to have an idea of what we are dealing with as my mind has been running wick thinking I’ve caused his teeth to rot. I really do hope it’s not caused by me doing anything wrong. I have noticed he has a small chip out of his tooth where one of the brown spots are, and one of his teeth that is currently coming through looks like it’s coming through a bit discoloured. Will his adult teeth face any future problems or is it only his baby teeth it will affect? My little one was born premature and we have faced a lot of complications and surgeries, the thought that his teeth may start rotting and are chipping away has my stomach in knots, he has been through so much. And kids can be cruel I don’t want him to face future bullying. What are the options if his teeth become worse? Is there anything that can be done to fix it or make them look better cosmetically? TIA

OP posts:
heartbrokenof · 04/06/2024 00:02

Chronic illnesses, prematurity can both be causes of teeth like this. Try not to worry and take all the advice the dentist gives you when you see them

bfsham · 04/06/2024 19:39

Will his adult teeth face any future problems or is it only his baby teeth it will affect? My little one was born premature

Difficult to know re permanent teeth, but, having said that it is usually the deciduous teeth that are affected when premature + illness. So try not to worry.

Just keep all his sugars to his mealtimes going forward ! Yoghurts and smoothies -mealtime only, to limit chance of dental caries. Topical fluoride varnish applications 3 monthly can start at age 3; sometimes justified earlier if clinical situation warrants it.
Main thing in a very young child is the prevention aspect, as at this age, no baby /toddler is going to sit and let a dentist (no matter how specialist paediatric experienced they are) do interventive dentistry conscious.

It's really good that you've noticed this issue of hypomaturation/ hypoplasia/ hypomineralisation; just be very strict with all the info I've given you in my 1st post going forward based on

www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-better-oral-health-an-evidence-based-toolkit-for-prevention

EmJuAtAn · 04/06/2024 22:57

Lots of Food has hidden sugar, so our dentist said no sugary Food just savory

ItsRainingTacos79 · 04/06/2024 23:26

Please don't beat yourself up over this OP. This is most certainly down to your baby being born prematurely. Teeth would not disintegrate like this so soon after erupting from the gums. Its developmental. My DCs were both growth restricted and delivered early. Dentists seem to be a it more clued up about premature births and its impact on teeth today than they were 12-13 years ago.

You have to be meticulous with brushing but to be honest, no amount of careful eating and dental hygiene will actually make much difference. Your dentist will routinely coat the teeth with fluoride and keep an eye on it. There is a treatment that can be done to prevent the enamel disintegrating further but it will make the brown areas appear jet black, which isn't great. One of my DCs had to have metal caps put over his affected milk teeth to protect them until they fall out.

Every child is different so hopefully your baby grows up to have healthier adult teeth. Unfortunately, both my DCs have adult teeth that are slightly yellowish in colour and quite fragile. We are strict with dental hygiene but I know their teeth are naturally more susceptible to decay than most other children. One DC will be getting composite bonding on an adult tooth which only erupted about a year ago 😞.

ItsRainingTacos79 · 04/06/2024 23:30

Reading that back, I should reassure you that your dentists will have a number of treatment options for you to consider.

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