5yr old been advised to have 8 teeth out

[Hungrycaterpillarsmummy]

Honestly I am in shock
We took DS to the dentist a couple of months ago because he told me his tooth/cheek hurt and I noticed a bit of one of his molars (D) had chipped. They did X rays and said that tooth definitely needs to be pulled. They did a check of his other teeth and found decay starting on some but didn't say much about it. They referred us to discuss the plan for this tooth to come out and whilst there, they told DH that really, ds needs 8 teeth removed. The 4 back teeth on the top and bottom.

I'm in shock because nothing of the sort was mentioned at his first appointment. Although they did find a hole on his left second molar (E) and it does look like that needs pulled.
Mh and DH had an appointment with the dentist today to discuss it all without da being there. Essentially the top 4 teeth on having starting signs of decay.
We have put so much more focus on teeth brushing, limiting sugar etc since the first appointment that I feel we can try and repair the damage caused to those 4 upper teeth.
The dentist is recommending we pull all 4 from the bottom which I do kind of agree with. But I'm not sure I agree with the top and the reason they are giving, is because they don't want to have to do a second general anaesthetic months down the line.
Whereas, I'm not convinced would need them out at all if we really focus on his teeth.
They did suggest we could cap those 4 upper teeth but that involves 8 appointments. One person tooth to put the elastic spacer on, and one person tooth to put a cap on it.

I suggested we pull the bottom 4 and monitor the top 4 but they said they just wouldn't pull the bottom 4 In that case! I'm so confused. It seems conflicting to the online advice of extraction being the absolute last resort and that filling teeth isn't an option. Whereas we have read baby teeth can be filled..

Anyone have any advice?
Please be kind as we are really feeling so guilty about it already.

No ones going to tell you it's their child has decay because they didn't brush their child's teeth ffs. And OPs child is 5, I doubt she's breastfeeding on demand overnight

The majority of children develop decay because their diet is high in sugar/frequent sugar attacks combined with poor oral hygiene. It's manageable but is not breastfeeding on demand at 5yo causing decay

I'd be getting a 2nd option and paying privately.

He's 5, and the decay is only coming to light now. You did nothing wrong breastfeeding your child at 19 months, on demand, overnight.

I have electric toothbrushes for my kids and it makes brushing much more effective. They are oral b, about £25 on ebay (new!)

The kids don't like the vibration at first, so we build up little by little - basically just let them play with it for a few weeks (age dependent) and work up to full brushing

I find a tooth-brushing themed video on my phone (hey duggee has a great one) and that distracts them while i brush!

It does a MUCH MUCH better job than a manual toothbrush, in less time.

Highly recommend

We have multiple that they can choose from and we do the timer things now as well! Yes, they are much better than a standard toothbrush!

I've asked a pp but she hasn't come back to me yet....can anyone who's been through this telling me if my son will be able to eat ok with all his molars gone?

I don't believe that, if a toddler is breastfeeding properly the milk bypasses most of their teeth. Maybe if they are breastfeeding through the night it could possibly be an issue. But I really don't think that's it.

Giving a child a cup of milk to drink during the night, though... why did you do that OP?! Why not just give water?

Anyway, FWIW if they're baby teeth I think you should just let the dentist take them out. Especially if the adult molars will come through within the next year or two.

That's not true. My 6 year old has just had a filling done in the NHS on a baby molar

Did he have a GA or local @YouLookinSusBro

@NameChange30 because after I gave up breastfeeding we switched him to cows milk to replace my feed and it was at bedtime. He never ever drank water and I thought milk would be best. Silly silly me :(

Bit honestly, I think it's all the fruit he eats, particularly the dried fruit to help with his bowel.

Sorry to hear this is happening to your son.

I’ve been there too.

was he born premature or received antibiotics by any chance ?

No he was only 2 weeks early. I don't think he had antibiotics. He did have a poor first two weeks. He was very jaundiced, lost a lot of weight and could barely feed for 2-3 weeks.

I had 6 out at that age and met someone else who told me her child was having 8 out when my son had to have a couple out. Never had a problem with my second teeth, I think my first filling was in my late twenties and have only had a couple now that I’m in my fifties. The second teeth come in a bit earlier if the baby teeth come out early and generally fair a lot better.

I thought the adult teeth were delayed because there's no baby teeth to guide them up 🤔 also that it could lead to more treatment required as they can come on squint etc.

Do you remember how you got on eating/talking?

I don’t think I had any problems eating or talking. I know with my son, his adult replacement teeth came very quickly after the baby ones that were taken out.

Do you think he's having problems with his bowels because he's dehydrated and not getting enough water?

It didn’t affect his speech or eating. Their speech is more affected when they lose their two front teeth at the top naturally. But it lasts a really short time.

The worst thing for me was seeing him under sedation coming around. He was covered in blood around his face and really twitchy and I will be honest I felt awful. But within an hour and as long as they have a drink they can go home.

My suggestion is you listen to what the dentist says and quit telling them how to do their job!

OP

I'm 58 in a couple of months. I had one baby tooth removed when I was about 7 because the dentist we had then didn't fill baby teeth so it's not new. They didn't take the opposite tooth but I would have been losing baby teeth at the same time.

Obviously things move on and certainly in adult dentistry there are veneers, implants, new ways of crowning etc.

I think the PP who said ask what the adult teeth will be like. I know decaying baby teeth can impact on adult teeth but I am no expert.

I too struggle with nhs suggestions.
Ds2 had problems with his teeth, not quite as bad as this, but I was made to feel terrible for his teeth, even though he'd only had breast milk and water, she kept insisting he must have had sugary drinks which he just hadn't, and to this day neither ds1 not ds2 do. Get a 2nd opinion and hold firm.

Losing your baby teeth takes years.

He's actually had 3 in total 😞 All under local.

We are also really trying to look after his teeth as much as we can as his dad has had a lifetime of dental problems.

Someone recommended Colgate magic toothbrush to me and it has really helped make him more interested in his dental care. We also use special toothpaste the dentist gave us now

Ridiculous statement and absolutely false that breastfeeding causes tooth decay

Yes he will. He will adapt. If you imagine babies can chew quite well, even with no teeth. Gums are hard and sturdy. It will take a bit of time but he will be absolutely fine 👍

No it's not that. Maybe one time he didn't have enough and made him constipated but he's witheld ever since I think due to fear of it being sore. We are in a much better place with it now. It's been a long road.

Good to know, thank you!