4 yr old DD got to have 4 teeth removed...any advice PLEASE?!

[Lushaddict]

After a visit to the dentist today they have told us our DD has to have her 4 back teeth removed in hospital as she has a broken one that is infected and the other 3 arn't looking too hot either.
As well as feeling like a bad mum (we've always brushed twice a day and do try to limit treats etc) I'm feeling very anxious about it all.
Has anyone been through anything similar? Any information you can tell me would be much appreciated.
Thanks alot

No experience here, but I know that if milk teeth are removed, they do consider removing others to maintain symmetry. This should limit orthodontic problems with the permanent teeth.

DD1 had to have a filling at age 3 and the same tooth out later at age 4. Tbh, it wasnt too bad, the tooth ache previous to the extraction was worse by a long way! She was also quite affected by the local and the general stress, anxiety and shock of the event she slept initially afterwards. And was quite quiet and reserved for a while. Bless!
We talked about the procedure and the injection before we went. We also practised being floppy and relaxed and i reminded her of that when she was on my lap in the chair. She was very brave.
4 teeth is alot though! Does she have to have a general? or will they be taken out individually under local?

As yet we're not sure haychee as we have to wait for the letter from the hospital, but I'm guessing general. The main problem is the infection as they think it could effect her adult teeth underneath if it's left too long.

Yes i was told that too. But, she way in soo much pain it was unbearable, there was no way i was going to let it go on any longer than necessary. Does you dd not have any pain?

do you give these dc's juice?

I had lots of teeth out as a child (had too many teeth growing for my mouth ). Four all at once a few times, including my wisdom teeth as a teen I had 18 healthy teeth taken out!! I was always fine, a little queasy and woozy afterwards, but nothing a day in bed and some soup or icecream didn't solve.

Don't worry too much, dentists are very reluctant to remove teeth these days so she must need them out. I also had my teeth brushed regularly as a kid, as did my sis, I had lots of filling removals, my sister had none. I think you either have problem teeth or you don't, I had wonky wisdom teeth and a prbolem fang too, they are all sorted now tho!

that should say fillings and removals!!

blardy hell that sounds awful for you and dd

just started a thread about teeth ... guess this is my answer...

whoa.[reels]

good lord kay, do you have any left??

My dd has juice (Squash) but is sensitive to sweeteners so cant have sugar free! She rarely has fizzy drinks (special treats only). She brushes twice a day, everyday. She does like her sweets though, but only allowed them in moderation. Ihave very weak teeth and have had to have lots of work done for cavities and abcesses.

NG yes I still have a full set including two ungrown wisdom teeth!! Had braces, fillings, elastic band trainers, removals, the lot as a kid! Knew all the dentist staff by first names!

I am fine though and it didn't do me any harm in the long run even in my extreme case!

I have experience of this!!!

When my dd was 3 I noticed her 4 back teeth were looking really bad. Took her to the dentist who said the enamel hadn't formed properly and they were decaying. He said she'd have to have them out.

He referred her to a specialist dentist who did some kiddy fillings but she was still talking about extraction. We said we wanted to do everything we possibly could to avoid it as they do them under general anaesthetic and they're also placeholders for the adult teeth.

She then referred her to Guy's Hospital in London (we live in Surrey) because they can do crowns (albeit in stainless steel). So we've been going there for the last year and they've been patching them and they're now in much better shape and much less prone to decay.

I was absolutely devastated to begin with and felt like terrible mum. Like you always brushed and I've always done a good "check" (i.e. proper brush!) and tried to limit treats. But it is due to you maybe having had an infection, cold, something you might not even been aware of whilst pg that interrupted development at that time. Don't know yet if her adult teeth will also be affected.

So my advice is question and ask what else they can do. She might need one removed but can they patch the others? Our general dentist said extraction was the only option but the specialists have done everything poss to avoid that.

notanotter - DD has weak low sugar juice with meals and dentists have said this is fine. All her other teeth are in great condition, it is just these 4 back ones with problem enamel. They started decaying as soon as they came through because they had no protection.

Wishingchair..you have just made our weekend. After reading your post we are definatly going to question how many need to be removed. We know the one thats broken and has the infection needs removing but we didnt think the other 3 back ones did too.
Her daddy and most of his side of the family have problem teeth too which may just be a coincidence.
Before she has them removed the hospital are sending for us for a consultation so I guess we'll find out more then.
Thanks for the advice..I don't feel like such a bad mum now.