Please could someone knowledgeable talk me down? Dental cavity in child

[opalescent]

I know this is irrational, but I have a real and deep issue with anything teeth related. I have chronic issues with teeth grinding, which has caused me no end of pain and expensive issues over the years, and so I find it very difficult to be measured when it comes to teeth.

Due to the issues mentioned above, I thought I was being very vigilant with Dd7's teeth. She has ALWAYS had them thoroughly brushed twice a day, and had a clean bill of health every 6 months at check ups. In feb though, her dentist noticed a cavity 😖. It's in a very awkward place between two teeth, and tricky to get to. The dentist gave it a clean out, and popped some filling in. She didn't seem keen to do anything too involved, as DD is so young, and was a bit scared. Quite quickly this filling seemed to come out (although it is difficult to see exactly what's going on). We've been super vigilant with keeping the area clean, but yesterday DD mentioned that it's hurting now and again. I had a good look and could see a little bit of food stuck, which I guess will keep happening until it's properly filled.

Anyway

DH is going to call up and make a further appointment today, but in the meantime, please could someone just reassure me that this isn't the end of the world, and that it doesn't necessarily mean she'll end up in agony with an abscess?

I have been lying awake for hours worrying that she will, toothache is dreadful and I really don't want her to go through that.

Thanks all

Oh sweets, she'll be ok. This happens sometimes especially when teeth are in funny positions.

It's not the end of the world.....

Fillings in milk teeth do come out easily unfortunately. Also if 'between teeth decay' gets cavitated (a hole forms) there is a good chance of the nerve dying and problems ensuing

What it may mean is that the tooth might get abscessed and need taking out sooner than it will fall out. I'm a dentist and most of my kid patients who get abscesses get a boil on the gum, a little bit of pain and we build up to taking the tooth out as gently as possible with a lot of persuasion/bribery. Sometimes a few tears, sometimes the child flat out can't cope and needs a referral for gas sedation. But it happens.

The most important takeaway is that the sugar in her diet (frequency of) needs to be reduced going forwards and maybe add a fluoride mouthwash in the middle of the day when she's at home - not after brushing. Otherwise this may happen to her other teeth, her permanent ones.

Please don't worry too much, it happens more than you'd think and just one of those things. The important thing is that she's been taken for regular check ups so this can be dealt with swiftly. Hope your DD gets sorted

OP, it's only a filling. They do happen, no matter how diligent you have been. And fillings don't hurt, just a bit of a faff to do, that's all.

If these are her milk teeth, she'll lose them and be replaced with new ones quite soon. I think you may be projecting your own dislike of dentists.

Youngest dc had issues with his first teeth, much to my distress, despite having the same diet (no sugary drinks/cereal etc.) and cleaning regime as his older siblings who had no problems, and we were on the receiving end of an extremely judgmental dentist who insisted the issue was too much sugar and not enough cleaning. He used to interrogate dc every time we went, almost seeming as though he was trying to catch us out. I felt like the world’s worst parent! Everything seemed to resolve when dc moved on to adult toothpaste. I think some people just have less robust teeth than others, so don’t stress, op. Have you tried adult toothpaste yet for your dd?

Thank you, all three of you, honestly these replies really help to put it back into perspective, which is exactly what I need. Much, much appreciated ☺️.

This really sounds familiar! I honestly think that my own teeth are crap, and DD is my clone, so no surprise that she's had an issue now too. I am pleased to hear that things seem to have resolved for your son as he's got older