Dentist Woes

[SoupDragon]

Ok, I've just had a Bad Mother Moment at the dentist today. DS1 is a dedicated thumbsucker and I knew this had affected his teeth. It's pulled the top ones forward and pushed the lower ones back. The dentist also muttered something about it affecting the shape of his jaw.

Not only that, but apparently both DS1 and 2 have "large teeth" which is going to cause them problems with crowding later on. They don't look that large to me and not a lot different to other children I've seen. However, both my brothers did need orthodontist treatment and extractions due to over crowding so I assume this will indeed be the case for DSs.

Is it really all doom and gloom and have I sentenced my children to years of braces?? Particularly DS1 with his thumb-sucker overbite.

On the plus side though, they're being cleaned properly.

Yes, you should have two each side at the top and bottom. In the 'trade' they are known as 4 and 5!

Have missed you Jasper! My query is is it better to have a bridge or implants for missing front teeth? Any idea of what sort of cost for both options? I would value your expert opinion.

Thanks, hope you have a fab holiday.

Thanks Jasper My dentist has the sort of "chair side manner" that makes me feel horribly guilty. Along with the thumbsucking lecture and the genetic disposition one, I also had a long lecture about having technically let my NHS registration lapse. And every time he asks me if I'm eating more sweet things than I used to. Does he think I'm going to break down one day and confess to a sugar cube habit??

Deep down I know there's nothing I could really have done about any of this but that's what motherhood is all about isn't it - guilt

Now, what are your views on teeth whitening? That's something that I'm very tempted by but am worried that it might damage my teeth in some way?