Worried about my toddlers teeth!?!
Question: I don't know why but my 20mth old daughter has a brown hard 'crust'.....(plague?) on her four top teeth! The two middle top ones are just half covered but the two either side are completely covered and I am worried about what this is and whether it is damaging her teeth?
I noticed it a while back and took extra care in brushing them for her. She brushes her bottom ones herself but I have to do the top as she won't turn the brush properly. It seemed to go away but I have noticed it is back again and my D has started objecting to me trying to brush them firmly so I have to lay her across my lap and force-brush them but its really solid hard crust!
Surely she is too young for a dentist? Should I take her to see the HV tuesday? She brushes her teeth two, sometimes three times a day cos she loves to do so! She uses a toothpaste for milk teeth (for age 0-3 it says).
(I've posted this in the toddler section but would like to hear from a dentist/professional too. Thanks)
Answers: I don't know why but my 20mth old daughter has a brown hard 'crust'.....(plague?) on her four top teeth! The two middle top ones are just half covered but the two either side are completely covered and I am worried about what this is and whether it is damaging her teeth?
I noticed it a while back and took extra care in brushing them for her. She brushes her bottom ones herself but I have to do the top as she won't turn the brush properly. It seemed to go away but I have noticed it is back again and my D has started objecting to me trying to brush them firmly so I have to lay her across my lap and force-brush them but its really solid hard crust!
Surely she is too young for a dentist? Should I take her to see the HV tuesday? She brushes her teeth two, sometimes three times a day cos she loves to do so! She uses a toothpaste for milk teeth (for age 0-3 it says).
(I've posted this in the toddler section but would like to hear from a dentist/professional too. Thanks)
Definitely get the teeth checked. It could be cavities you're describing, but some children will get tartar. Try using a washcloth to scrub her teeth. Her toothpaste does not contain fluoride, but she needs some (hopefully getting it in the water... if not, coat just the edges of the bristles with a fluoridated toothpaste, she can then brush and swallow the paste). try to find a pediatric dentist in your area, unless your dentist likes seeing children (it won't do your child any favors if your dentist scares the crap out of her!)
i had something like that when i was younger it could be from her milk /formula after i lost my baby teeth though my adult teeth are white but soft u should talk to a dentist
She is not too young for a dentist- my son had 1 tooth when we first visited! It gets them used to having someone look into their mouths and my dentist just used his finger and a mirror each time we went.
Try not to make an issue of toothbrushing with her, it will make her fearful and resistant which is going to be hard work if she actually needs treatment.
I would take her to the dentist and find out what is causing it, as for her beening to young, you are never to young, when i was younger i used to go with my dad and sit on his knee as he got treated and it also stop any fears of the the dentist when older.
It is not too early for her to be seeing a dentist. My son first went at just 8 months old. He had not long got his 1st couple of teeth through but the dentist told me when i registered him to bring him along to my own appointments as soon as he gets his teeth. This helps the child to get used to seeing the dentist. He has gone once a year since then and is now nearly 4yr.
Firstly, You should be brushing ALL of your daughters teeth! The ADA recommends that you do so until age 9, because children DO NOT have the dexterity or fine motor skills to effectively remove plaque from their teeth.
As far as the "brown hard crust", it sounds like decay, but decay does not come and go like you stated. You should definitely take your daughter in for a dental exam! Most dentist recommend that you take your child in 6 months after her first tooth has erupted.