Toddlers top teeth are chipping away

[Inthestrawberryfields]

My daughter is 19 months old and her top teeth seem to be disintegrating! They are extremely chipped and it's getting worse. I brush them everyday but it is traumatising (for both of us). We've been to the dentist and and he said to rub toothpaste on her teeth but she will not let me in her mouth, I have to pin her down to brush them and even then it's a struggle. It's awful and I absolutely hate doing it but I have to brush them, it's not something I can just leave. I've tried different toothpastes, different brushes nothing helps. I think they hurt too as she only seems to use her back teeth for eating. I feel terrible for her. She doesn't have anything sweet and she only drinks water. Her older sisters teeth are lovely, no issues at all. Any ideas on why this is or what I can do to help would be greatly appreciated

I sympathise because my dd hates getting her teeth brushed too and I know the feeling of it being traumatising, it was actually affecting my mental health at one point but the unfortunate thing is you have to do it. Have you tried an electric toothbrush? Will still be a fight to do it but I find it gets a better brush than a manual.
I tried everything, apps, songs, books, different brushes, toothpaste. It's still a fight but getting better although luckily her teeth have always been fine.

When was the last time you were at the dentist? If they are getting worse you need to go back.

Also you said you do it every day, are you doing it twice a day?

Did you have antibiotics in pregnancy? Sounds like an issue with the enamel formation

What's her diet like? Dues she have a lot of sugar or acidic drinks?

It really affects my mental health too, I feel sometimes it's all I think about. I have tried an electric toothbrush but her teeth seem so fragile I worried it was too harsh on her teeth. I've tried apps too, singing, nothing soothes her. Me and my partner have to hold her down sometimes and by the end of it I'm crying too, it really is awful. I really do try to brush them twice a day but sometimes I can't bring myself to do it and I feel terrible for putting her through it. I worry she'll end up with issues with it when she's older. We have a dentist app on Tuesday, which I feel I've been waiting an age for.

When I’m really desperate I blame it all on the tooth fairy. I say she’s called me up because DD hasn’t been brushing properly. Works every time!

For what it’s worth. My niece is from a culture where it’s normal for young children to basically never brush or take care of their teeth milk teeth, and she ate loads of sugar. Her teeth were more or less completely black. The dentist in this country said there will not be lasting damage to her adult teeth. So try not to stress yourself too much- you’re trying everything you can.

No I didn't take any antibiotics through the pregnancy, I had gestational diabetes and had to take iron supplements but that's it. She was breastfed until 14 months. At the last appointment the dentist said it could be where she was falling asleep whilst feeding but I just feel like there's more too it judging by the state of her teeth.

Wonder if its enamel hypoplasia rather than anything you have done

If it’s any consolation I had exactly this with my older DS at that age, including having to hold him down to brush. He’s now 14, with beautiful shiny adult teach and no residual trauma about teeth brushing. You have my sympathy though.

I've tried the tooth fairy trick but it doesn't work. I think because I had no problems with my oldest I expected it to be the same this time round, how silly of me!
Yes the dentist did say it shouldn't effect her adult teeth. I don't really know what would happen if her baby teeth fell out now though?
And no I really try to limit the amount of sugar she has because of her teeth. She eats fruit but she doesn't have fruit juice

Yes I have wondered whether it may be enamel hypoplasia.
I'm hoping the dentist will have a few more answers on Tuesday.
Thank you to all of you for replying, I do feel slightly better about it.

If it is enamel hypoplasia then you cant reverse it and normally it gets monitored. Hope her adult teeth are OK. My ds had good baby teeth but has some adult molars with poor enamel that are being monitored by the dentist (if we ever see one again!)

My dentist said that he would prefer kids just swallow the toothpaste (for the fluoride) if they won't brush. Obviously brushing with toothpaste is better but could you just get her to swallow it instead? Less traumatic for both of you and eventually she will brush them herself.