Any dentists about? Why is my daughter having so many problems with her teeth?

[castille]

She is 9, and for the past couple of years she has had endless dental problems. She seems to have very thin enamel, so has had a few fillings in her remaining milk teeth. Recently one milktooth got all infected inside so had to be extracted. Now she has an abcess under another milk tooth. Plus her permanent teeth are pretty yellow and it bothers her a lot.

It seems so unfair, and the poor girl has developed a major phobia of going to the dentist. I am very careful about oral hygiene and she has always brushed her teeth thoroughly twice a day, plus has been using a mouthwash recently so why is all this happening? Is it just bad luck? What, if anything, can be done to strengthen and whiten her permanent teeth? Seeing the dentist this week, but just wanted other opinions.

Teeth suffering froflourosis are actually stronger and less prone to decay, so unlikely to be that.

from fluorosis

well thank you , love the name by the way.

I wasn't criticising or correcting you kamikayzed, just adding some info.

Morning all, and thanks for all the info.

Her permanent teeth are a bit "stripy" in places you look closely, but the stripes aren't white like with fluorosis, but yellowy. They look like stains rather than their natural colour. In fact they look like smoker's teeth.

Dentist later today so will attempt to get some proper advice, as well as treatment for the abcess. What's the betting she comes back with one fewer teeth? Haven't told her she's going yet, but I am imagining her reaction

Good luck, will be thnking of dd (and you) today.

At least the abcess is under the milk tooth, I wouldn't wish root canal treatment and crowns on anyone! So is there anything that can be done to reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth to also help reduce decay??

I have whitest of the white adult teeth suffer hugely from sensitivity despite "doing all the right things" according to dentist/hygieniest - sometimes I just can't eat anthing sweet it's just too painful! My teeth actually look transparent.

Around here there is a special childrens clinic and any hyper nervous children get referred to there - anything like that in your area?

Update, if anyone's interested -

She went, and came back with her tooth in a box. She hated it, but the abcess is gone. Dentist said the yellowing was tartar and he would blast that off (or whatever) at her next check up. So she came back quite relieved and happy, in the event.

Tooth fairy had better check her purse for loose change now!

Thanks all for your advice.

Make sure you get her flossing, too.

I have horrible teeth. I'm missing two molars and one is cracked. My front ones are gorgeous, though .

I got horrid teeth from my mother, who has NONE of her molars. She was rich enough to afford implants, though, as she says bridges can sometimes ruin your other teeth.

I floss, brush with an electric toothbrush and use a non-alcohol mouthwash.

Knock on wood, I'm usually down to just two or three fillings a year.

I thought comeoveneer was a wine

Expat - flossing, what a bore that is. But yes, I will get her onto it. She might even do it without too much fuss, at least while the memory of today is fresh

I really hope she doesn't end up with terrible teeth

KZ - she used to have a battery-powered brush but it wasn't much good. We'll get her a proper plug-in one if it's likely to help - anything to avoid her having to go through more traumatic times in the dentist's chair!

I've had so many fillings I have lost count. Especially as I've had to have old ones replaced, and even developed decay around other fillings, so the tooth had to be drilled out further.

I also have two crowns.

My mother has lost all her molars, as I said.

My dad, however, has never had a filling. And my sister has had one in her whole life.

I've had 4 knee surgeries.

I'll take the dentist ANY day.

It's just the mouth, not a limb.

I know loads of climbers who had similar surgeries and are sooo pleased they did.

Have your underarm waxed or lasered before you have it, though, as you may not be able to raise that arm much for a bit afterwards.

If your hair is long, have it corn-rowed - saves having to wash it when you can't get that one arm up.

I had to wash my friend's hair for a few weeks when she had shoulder surgery.

It worked a treat for that friend of mine. She knew far in advance she was gonig to need the surgery - like you, her shoulder dislocated easily after a big fall into a rock wall - so she had three treatments about 3 weeks apart.

Nurse was laughing at her as she went in, 'You're going to be a Hairy Mary'. She said, 'Don't think so, dear! Had laser hair removal!'

She couldn't get that arm above her head for SIX WEEKS, though, even with physio, so I did have to wash her hair for the last three after the corn rows came out.