Dentist says 4 yo has a spot on a tooth -- disking?

[Anonymous]

The dentist said my 4 yo has a spot -- not quite a cavity-- on the back of the front incisor. His teeth are very close together, especially the two top front ones, so food tends to get stuck. I admit, I haven't been great about flossing nightly -- we usually do it about 2-3x/week, and I didn't start until last summer. He also did not use fluorinated toothpaste and we don't drink fluorinated water. I feel terrible and we have changed our habits. Now we brush religiously 2x/day and floss at night, and we started using big kid toothpaste.

Anyway, the dentist had wanted to "disk" his front teeth to shave off the spot, and it would also create a gap in his front teeth to avoid food getting stuck there. They would use nitrous oxide for the procedure.

The next opening they had isn't until March, so I have lots of time to think about it. I just wonder if it's possible for the spot to get better on its own, especially since we will be practicing good dental habits now. Also, has anyone heard of this disking? What do you think? I think I will get a second opinion, but I wanted to know if anyone here had experience with this type of thing.

[Anonymous]

I would get a second opinion.

[Anonymous]

Why doesn't he take flouride tablets?

[Anonymous]

Former dental hygienist here. The only thing I would be upset about is the nitrous oxide. It could easily be done without (unless your child is very anxious). Is this a pediatric dentist or your family dentist?

[Anonymous]

I would get another opinion. I have some dark spots on one tooth. I was told it was because of a high fever as a child.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks PPs. I will definitely get a 2nd opinion.

To answer a few questions -

- I had never heard of fluoride tablets! I tried using fluorinated toothpaste last year and DS was terrible at spitting. But I really should have just kept trying because he (and 2 yo DD!) picked it up immediately when we tried again a few days ago.

- He did not do so well at his last checkup, anxiety-wise. There was crying and tears, which is too bad because his first checkup, he did great. So I don't think he is very anxious generally, but that last appointment wasn't so great.