Dental advise for toddler? And fluriode question!?!


Question: Ok, well, my daughter (20mths) has severe dental decay in her four top teeth. I think she is going to lose them! The dentist I saw was quite harsh(didn't even try to make her open her mouth of her own accord) and just said 'come back in 3mths to see if it gets worse' without suggesting anything I can do to prevent them getting worse! Of my own initiative I have been brushing them after food, so 3 or 4 times a day and cut out all sugary snacks and drinks so she is just having water and breast milk.
But in the two weeks I been doing this they seem to be worse! I am worried that over brushing is going to be as damaging as less brushing. And as her decay is that of bottle mouth (despite never having a bottle) I am worried that somehow my breastfeeding has done this. My husband thinks I should stop breastfeeding completely? Its not that easy!
And tell me, does too much fluriode strenghten or damage enamel only I keep finding conflicting information,


Answers: Ok, well, my daughter (20mths) has severe dental decay in her four top teeth. I think she is going to lose them! The dentist I saw was quite harsh(didn't even try to make her open her mouth of her own accord) and just said 'come back in 3mths to see if it gets worse' without suggesting anything I can do to prevent them getting worse! Of my own initiative I have been brushing them after food, so 3 or 4 times a day and cut out all sugary snacks and drinks so she is just having water and breast milk.
But in the two weeks I been doing this they seem to be worse! I am worried that over brushing is going to be as damaging as less brushing. And as her decay is that of bottle mouth (despite never having a bottle) I am worried that somehow my breastfeeding has done this. My husband thinks I should stop breastfeeding completely? Its not that easy!
And tell me, does too much fluriode strenghten or damage enamel only I keep finding conflicting information,

Breastfeeding in and of itself does not cause decay, there are a lot of studies that prove this. However when breastmilk is mixed with starchy residue on the teeth and the strains of bacteria that cause decay then you have a problem. But even then you should not stop breastfeeding as breastmilk can aid in tooth remineralization.

However as for the fluoride thing you won't get a consensus. From my research the safest fluoride is fluoride SEALANT, which is applied by the dentist and takes a short time to dry. This minimizes ingestion which can not only damage adult teeth but is actually toxic in large doses.

However you must find a dentist who will fill the cavities, that's the only way to stop from loosing the teeth, though there are no guarantees. My son has one false tooth, well he did but right now its out again. Sometimes missing teeth can effect speech and some children are very upset by it..

Anyway my links on it are all here:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?...

If you need any other research on it let me know and I can probably dig it up again.

fluoride strengthens the teeth, but for toddlers they usually don;t advice toothpaste w/ fluoride because it's not safe when swallowed (that's what my 20 month old daughter's dentist said). She prescribed a toothapste w/ no fluoride, it's called Sansfluo and it has Xylitol which is safer for their age. I'm from the Philippines so im not sure if Sansfluo is available in your country, but Im pretty sure that there is a similar product, just ask anotehr dentist not the ones you went too.

By the way, my daughter is also breastfed, and I started brushing/cleaning her teeth, or rather gums even before she had them, as advised by the dentist, that is to prevent tooth decay.

Breastfeeding may not have caused the problem of dental her daughter, but through the doubts advise go to a specialist appropriate that can verify their doubts, before leaving to breastfeed her daughter with milk.

Probably be feeding them adequate or inadequate that influences in their milk. The human body needs to digest certain quantity of food needed for the proper functioning and health; eliminate all sugar is not advisable, therefore look for a good doctor appropriate to indicate what food is good for her daughter eating. But meanwhile, is also Important for the safety of his daughter and much of his family, for a doctor of confidence, and also refer to the dentist.
Take precautions as much as the doctor, but also to the dentist, with any medical care.

There is probably not much that can be done to save the teeth with the decay - but my neighbours kid had the same problem - and now he is 10 and his front teeth are great.

You should also avoid juices - even if they have no sugar - the acid could be doing the damage. If they must have juices - they should rinse their mouths with water after.

If your son had a high temp when they were under 1 year - this may have also effected the amount of enamel on the teeth (this happened to my son)

Breast feeding never causes any type of problems it is the safest.As for precautions i think you are already taking lots.One reason could be over brushing you are not supposed to brush for toddlers so many times you can wipe her teeth and gums by placing clean piece of cloth over your finger and rub it and also tongue.Second reason could be genetics usaually dental problem is genetically affected if that is so you should take every possible care of your daughter's teeth.
Dentist cant do anything for such young child because she is too small for any treatment. and flouride is not advisable for toddlers.Actually flouride strenghthens enamel but toddlers usaully take down the tooth paste without knowing which is harmful for anyone.
Why dont you try clove oil i know it has sharp taste but it is best remedy for cavity even the doctors have clove oil in the whatsoever treatment.You can apply very little on the teeth in a way it doesnt touch her toungue or gums or when she sleeps with q-tip.





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