Need dental advice!

[missmoopy]

My dd (5 and a half) has just complained of tooth ache, so I looked in her mouth and she has two extra molars appearing at the back! She already has all 20 milk teeth so I am confused!

It is her first adult molars called the sixes. They erupt at this age and can be quite prone to decay at this stage because the child doesn't always know they are there and they can be neglected.

Show her how to reach to the back to brush them, there is a procedure called fissure sealents which is a little protective plastic film a dentist can put into the grooves (fissures)to seal them during the early stages.

You will have pay for this though.

Your DD is growing up

This is normal. The back molars are adult teeth that come along after the 20 milk teeth have arrived but before they have fallen out. There should be one at each end of each jaw (ie 4 in all).

It seems to be causing her a lot of discomfort. Is this normal?

This is quiet normal - she is basically teething but this time she is old enough to tell you! As I said before, this is the time to take extra care with brushing, if the gum is sore then kids avoid the area.

You can try a little single tufted toothbrush to get at the back which can be gentler as well during the next week or so. The two at the top should be coming through soon as well to meet the opposing teeth, so take a look there as well.

Thanks, she seems better today and tooth brushing seems to be okay now. Going to talk to dentist about the sealants at next appointment. No top ones yet!

No probs Missmoopy

It is a very common mistake that parents think the front teeth fall out first and the incisors are the first 'adult' teeth to come through.

Like I said, your DD is growing up before your very eyes!