why so many cavities in young child

[Anonymous]

my son (now 7) had 2 cavities by the time he was 2 years old. He now has 3 more. He is one of four kids. They all have relatively the same diet and hygiene habits yet he is the only child with cavities.. In fact, my child with cavities eats less sugar than the other kids. I hear things like "genetics" and "soft teeth." However, neither myself nor my husband know anyone in our families to have so many cavities so young. This child that has cavities had trouble with dairy as an infant and he has sensitive skin and eczema. Sometimes I wonder if he has allergies? Does he have a nutrition deficiency? I do give him calcium and vitamin D vitamins and fish oil. I just wonder if there is a reason or something I could do to help him?

[Anonymous]

Sealants.

[Anonymous]

My daughter has allergies and eczema and has had 4 cavities. She’s 8.5. Those teeth are soft and I can’t wait for the baby teeth to fall out. I don’t think there’s anything you can do nutritionally at this point other than lots of fluoride. Are they back teeth?

[Anonymous]

i had tons of cavities as a kid. my dentist and mom always said my teeth were too crowded. i've had at least 8 extractions before 12 (plus 4 wisdom), braces twice and i've been "good" since then.

[Anonymous]

My son had two cavaties by the time he was three, his dentist told us he had soft enamel. There is a technical term for it but I am too lazy to look it up. We had his teeth sealed when we had the cavities filled. He ended up with a cavity in a tooth that had been sealed. So yeah. We brushed his teeth for him until he was 5 and then did a rebrush.

Our dentist said that he could start using a flouride rinse when he was five. We have not had any issues since he started using the flouride rinse. We also got him an electric tooth brush that has a 2 minute timer on it.

The good news is that his adult teeth seem to be stronger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i had tons of cavities as a kid. my dentist and mom always said my teeth were too crowded. i've had at least 8 extractions before 12 (plus 4 wisdom), braces twice and i've been "good" since then.

Just curious... are you afraid of the dentist now? My DD has had several cavities and isn’t afraid yet but we’re still watching two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:my son (now 7) had 2 cavities by the time he was 2 years old. He now has 3 more. He is one of four kids. They all have relatively the same diet and hygiene habits yet he is the only child with cavities.. In fact, my child with cavities eats less sugar than the other kids. I hear things like "genetics" and "soft teeth." However, neither myself nor my husband know anyone in our families to have so many cavities so young. This child that has cavities had trouble with dairy as an infant and he has sensitive skin and eczema. Sometimes I wonder if he has allergies? Does he have a nutrition deficiency? I do give him calcium and vitamin D vitamins and fish oil. I just wonder if there is a reason or something I could do to help him?

Was there a stretch of time where he'd fall asleep with a bottle (soy or elemental formula, or some other non-water liquid) in his mouth, even if you would take it back out after he fell asleep?

[Anonymous]

possible ties?

[Anonymous]

Dentists needing to buy a boat. Get a second opinion.

[Anonymous]

Enamel hypoplasia.

[Anonymous]

Too much fruit juice (which seems "healthy" but actually has as much sugar as a soda)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Enamel hypoplasia.

That looks right. And no, my son (cavities by 3 with us brushing his teeth) did not fall alseep with the bottle in his mouth, milk or water. We watered down the one glass of juice that he had a day. And he did not eat sugary snacks or desserts at that age. He just has very soft teeth. The two adult teeth that have come in so far appear to be strogner, at least that is what the dentist said.

He is 6 and doesn’t dislike going to the dentist. He remembers the shot that he got when he was 3 to get the cavities filled, they had to fully knock him out. the cavity he hada t 5 was handled with gas and he got to watch a TV show. Much better.

We did everything that we could, heck he went to the dentist for the first time at 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Too much fruit juice (which seems "healthy" but actually has as much sugar as a soda)?

Ha! of course I don't give him juice! or soda! he has an occasional dessert or treat, but he drinks water.

[Anonymous]

Does your child take any medications?

My daughter had 6 cavities at one early dental visit. I was shocked because we've always been good about brushing her teeth. The dentist's theory was that a liquid medication she was taking for epilepsy was lingering on her teeth and causing tooth decay. She started taking the meds right before brushing, flossing and rinsing - and later switched to capsules - and hasn't had a cavity since.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dentists needing to buy a boat. Get a second opinion.

+1 My dad is a retired dentist and we sadly know of dentists who take a very aggressive stance on putting holes in teeth. Some are dishonest and some are just quicker to drill than others. We had to try a few before we found one who I think is legitimate. Avoid anyone who advertises heavily or has a fancy website (where do you think that $$ came from?). A good dentist should have no trouble filling their chair through referrals.