Tooth decay

[Babylove94x]

Hi,
I am really worried about my 3 year olds teeth. It looks like she has tooth decay on her front tooth and needs a filling on her back tooth! I feel absolutely awful and like I have let her down. We brush her teeth twice a day and she doesn’t eat that much sugar but I just feel so guilty!
We are in the dentist next week, but just wondering has this happened to anyone before and if so what was the outcome?
thanks! X

My 3yo has 2 stained molars and 1 with a cavity in. Our dentist is doing 3 monthly fluoride treatment and we have switched to an enamel protect toothpaste recommended by the dentist. She has citrus fruits once every 4-6 weeks, no juice, only water in a straw. She has a cup of oat milk before bed and now rinses her mouth with water or mouthwash before bed. She has very little sweets and chocolate due to food allergies
My daughters teeth issues are due to uncontrolled reflux and she had a brief period in the summer where she would chew on the refluxed milk during the night which didn't do her teeth any good! Alongside the changes to her diet we have sought a second opinion on her reflux treatments.

Thank you! I was worried they would pull her teeth out. It’s made me so upset, would you mind letting me know what toothpaste you are now using? xx

There is a lot of “hidden” sugar in kids food and horrible packaging with things like “no added sugar” or “natural sugar” that actually have heaps of sugar and “natural” sugar, honey etc still cause decay. The fact that you’re going to dentist shows you’re a caring parent. Try writing down all the foods and drinks your daughter has as a diary and take it with you to the dentist. They may be able to point out some things or habits that haven’t helped. Try a private specialist kids dentist if you don’t have luck with them (and can manage the cost and potential travel). Things like going to sleep with a bottle or juice in a sippy cup could contribute to decay on front teeth. But great you’re seeing the dentist. Best thing to do.

Ask the dentist about a flouride mouth wash in the evening before bed. It can really help.

Sensodyne repair and protect with novamin in. The most important thing from a toothpaste is 1450ppm of fluoride but the novamin gives a 1-2% extra protection. For myself I probably wouldn't bother but for her I will take any benefit I can especially as we are limited on what we can do as stomach acid is the biggest source of damage. She's on the highest dose meds she can have and we are waiting an appointment with a different paediatrician

Our bed time routine is teeth, a cup of oat milk and the a rinse with kids mouthwashes. You should leave a 1h between food and drink and brushing teeth to help protect the teeth. She now only has citrus fruits once in 4-8 weeks, a cup of juice is only on special occasions like her birthday or Christmas. Only water in a straw or spouted flask.

My daughter has a cavity and the dentist has said that they don't do fillings on little ones but they will monitor the cavity and do a crown if they can catch it at the point between mild and severe. The crown they can do without drilling which is why it's the preference for small children. It will set is back £180+vat as there are no NHS dentists in our area not even for kids and by that I mean no dentists at all and not no NHS dentists with spaces!