Haven’t been to the dentist in over a year - think kids have cavities now!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At this point, I don't think I've seen any guidance where it's been recommended to avoid medical appointments that are required to maintain our general health and well-being. I think canceling a dentist appointment at the early stages of COVID was wise, but we are well past the point where we can attend these appointments safely. Time to go back to the dentist and annual exams, mammograms, colonoscopy, etc.

Personally, I think avoiding a store since February is overkill, but starting back to the doctor is a safe start.

Sorry your kids have cavities, it sure does suck (BTDT).

I agree. Also, if you've taken your kids for well visits, it doesn't really make sense that you would avoid the dentist.

Not the OP but well doctor visits are very different than dental visits with regards to an airborne virus.

Guess it depends on the dental practice. I'm in the process of getting a root canal and crown done (4 total visits), and the endodontist and general dentist both are covered in far more PPE, and appear to be taking more precautions, than either our pediatrician's office or my PCP.

Sorry, OP, but I can't believe you think "don't take the kids out" meant avoiding routine dental and medical care for nearly a year at this point. Please get this taken care of immediately.

[Anonymous]

It was a mistake. We all make them. OP, it is extremely hard to get the first appointment of the day. We scored early appointments last summer, right when our dentist opened up. But now everyone is wise. Ask if they have a break one day when you’d have extra time before your appointment. You really can’t make the kid wait.

[Anonymous]

We haven't been since late last year either - missed the April visit and only just feel comfortable going. We are just lucky that DCs teeth seem ok but I started brushing them at night and letting kids brush in the morning to help. Don't feel bad, we've all had to make tough decisions.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think the one dental visit you missed is what caused the cavity. The cleaning they do is much more about removing plaque and gum health.

The kids need to brush 2x a day for two minutes, eat whole food, and drink fluorinated tap water or is fluoride rinse every other day.

For a mild cavity you can use fluoride rinse now to strength teeth and maybe let it heal (at least that’s why my dentist has told me, but he is kind of unorthodox).

This cavity was likely coming either way, they would have just maybe noticed it at the last check in spring if it had started by then (I’ll bet it hadn’t and the result is from some change in diet from pandemic).

[Anonymous]

I think you should take them. I have taken my kids to doctor’s appointment and my older DD broke her arm in March so we also spent a night at the hospital. That said, your child would have gotten a cavity anyway... the dentist does not prevent cavities from happening... brushing teeth well does. The dentist might identify a cavity before you would, but won’t prevent one from forming. My dad is a dentist and he put a polish on the molars (the ones in the back that are there to stay) of older DD (7).

[Anonymous]

See if you can get the first appointment on a Monday. Our dentist is offering those to people who are hyper concerned. DH and I each got 7am Monday appointments and are waiting for DS’s appointment
.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We haven’t been to the dentist since last fall (I think) and now I one of my kids has a cavity. I feel horrible! We haven’t been to a doctor (other than well visits) or inside a store since February 2020. I thought that is what we were suppose to do.

Don't be absurd. Of course they probably have cavities. Initially, my dentist only saw emergencies but by June was seeing regular patients and hygienists were wearing double PPE. No cleanings in a year? Outrageous bad parenting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We haven’t been to the dentist since last fall (I think) and now I one of my kids has a cavity. I feel horrible! We haven’t been to a doctor (other than well visits) or inside a store since February 2020. I thought that is what we were suppose to do.

Don't be absurd. Of course they probably have cavities. Initially, my dentist only saw emergencies but by June was seeing regular patients and hygienists were wearing double PPE. No cleanings in a year? Outrageous bad parenting

Dentists catch cavities and the fluoride treatment may help prevent them, but overall, the cleaning they do doesn't stop cavities. It's the regular brushing and flossing that is important.

OP, don't worry, you're not alone. I was in a zoom happy hour with my mom's group and all but one of the dozen of us had skipped the dentist this year. I wish I had gone in the summer when rates were low, but I don't have a time machine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We haven’t been to the dentist since last fall (I think) and now I one of my kids has a cavity. I feel horrible! We haven’t been to a doctor (other than well visits) or inside a store since February 2020. I thought that is what we were suppose to do.

Don't be absurd. Of course they probably have cavities. Initially, my dentist only saw emergencies but by June was seeing regular patients and hygienists were wearing double PPE. No cleanings in a year? Outrageous bad parenting

Dentists catch cavities and the fluoride treatment may help prevent them, but overall, the cleaning they do doesn't stop cavities. It's the regular brushing and flossing that is important.

OP, don't worry, you're not alone. I was in a zoom happy hour with my mom's group and all but one of the dozen of us had skipped the dentist this year. I wish I had gone in the summer when rates were low, but I don't have a time machine.

Exactly. Dental visits are helpful but 6 months isn’t necessary. Kids get injured or sick and miss an appt and don’t suffer catastrophic cavities.

[Anonymous]

Dental check ups for the entire family every six months. Also PT 2-3 times a week for spouse. Everyone has their regular check ups. Regular visits to stores and grocery as well. Mass every Sunday... restaurants are about the only thing we’ve cut out but no real loss, DH and I are great cooks. Mask up and social distance.

[Anonymous]

You can leave for health-related things. I took my kids to their well visits and to the dentist in the summer. I need to call to make an appointment because they're due around now for another dentist visit, I think.

[Anonymous]

Although scared at first, we kept all our dental appointments during the pandemic. Kids went in June and just went again right before Christmas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Although scared at first, we kept all our dental appointments during the pandemic. Kids went in June and just went again right before Christmas.

+1 We all kept our dental appointments but skipped well visits. My kid's was June and then dec. He has permanent teeth coming in so I thought it was important to check for any issues.

[Anonymous]

Troll

[Anonymous]

We did dentist and doctor over the summer. However, my kid just turned 2 years old and we aren’t going for the 2 year old visit and shots until numbers are down, even if that means waiting for 5 months