22 month old has really bad teeth

[spacebaby]

Our daughter has pretty bad teeth, we went to see a specialist a couple of days ago and after looking at LO's teeth first said she would need the front top 4 teeth removed and the 4 number 4's.

We were quite shocked and in the end she said we can try brushing them better with a stronger fluoride toothpaste and change the eating habits and hopefully they will harden up.

One of the number 4s has an obvious hole but she said she doesnt like to do fillings on a child so small. Is it right they try to avoid doing fillings?

Do any of you have experience of a similar situation?

 

[Baby France]

I'm not a dentist so not so sure?

Do you brush her teeth regulary? Does she eat a lot of sweets/chocolate/juice? It seems a bit extreme?

 

[spacebaby]

Well the front top 4 have decay at the back of them, the four no 4s are all soft and may have holes. She said breast feeding too much after the weening stage probably caused it, especially as she's going to sleep. Also imo she's been getting too many sugary things, and maybe my brushing hasnt been up to standard.

 

[leighbaby]

It isn't to do with bf. It is to do with genetics, diet and oral hygiene. If had anything to do with bf - early humans and all those un-touched tribes would have serious decay...they didn't and don't!

 

[spacebaby]

It isn't to do with bf. It is to do with genetics, diet and oral hygiene. If had anything to do with bf - early humans and all those un-touched tribes would have serious decay...they didn't and don't!

I think you're wrong. Did people used to breastfeed so long and as their child was going to sleep?

 

[v2007]

Breastfeeding does not rot teeth.

Not brushing correctly, too much sugary foods and drink, lack of flouride rot teeth.

You need to start her dental regime all over again.

V xx

 

[Baby France]

I have heard that babies having the bottle after a certain age can cause problems with teeth, but definately not heard it with breast feeding.

You need to start a plan thats going to help. Is there no way you can save these teeth at all?

Make sure she brushes her teeth in the morning and then at night. My LO's tend to do theirs in the bath at night. I always let them play and do it themselves firstly and then we have a 'mummy check' and I will then 'get the bits they've missed'. Sometimes I won't have a go in the morning....as I want them to think they've done a good enough job (probablu silly but )

Cut out sweets full stop. Maybe yoghurts, grapes even crisp will probably be better for her teeth.

Make sure that after her night time feed, her teeth are cleaned.

Hope this helps!

 

[punk_pig]

It isn't to do with bf. It is to do with genetics, diet and oral hygiene. If had anything to do with bf - early humans and all those un-touched tribes would have serious decay...they didn't and don't!

I think you're wrong. Did people used to breastfeed so long and as their child was going to sleep?

I'm no expert but I think Mothers have always comforted their children in this way - why would an early human relationship with their child be any less nurturing, and as co-sleeping is much more common where family groups all sleep together then I'd say yes they fed children to sleep.

Hidden sugars in modern diets are often a culprit, I saw a TV programme where a child's decay had been caused by ketchup with every hot meal.

Oh and crisps are apparently worse than sweets for decay in molars (they get stuck in between) but I'm not sure about front teeth.

 

[spacebaby]

Oh sure, when they are very small, but when they are over 1 year old? I think by that stage it can affect the teeth especially when the milk is stuck to the teeth all night. That is what our child dentist said. She said there is evidence now linking it, not just bottle feeding but breast feeding too.

When it's left on the teeth at night it causes problems.

 

[sun]

It isn't to do with bf. It is to do with genetics, diet and oral hygiene. If had anything to do with bf - early humans and all those un-touched tribes would have serious decay...they didn't and don't!

I think you're wrong. Did people used to breastfeed so long and as their child was going to sleep?

I don't know whether BF caused the OP's LOs tooth problems, but it's only relatively recently (post 20thC) that extended BF went "out of fashion". So I definitely don't agree that women who do extended BF are putting their LOs teeth at risk. There's a much higher incidence of tooth damage with formula/bottles in bed. But I agree that BF repeatedly at night could cause more decay.

My LO was BF until almost 19 months and his teeth are ok - but I worry much more about his diet - which is high in dried fruit which sticks to teeth and can cause problems.
So I make sure to brush his teeth really well before bed. A huge part of good teeth is genetics though - my brother has perfect teeth and rarely brushed/ate crap as a kid and teen. I have insanely good hygiene/diet and still go to the dentist 3x/year for additional cleanings just to keep them in good shape! (Our parents are different - I was adopted)

Another thing about baby teeth is how soon they get them! My LO didn't get teeth until right around his first birthday and my dentist said that is actually good because when they get teeth early, they are still milk feeding very frequently and there's more chance to get decay.

 

[spacebaby]

Cut out sweets full stop. Maybe yoghurts, grapes even crisp will probably be better for her teeth.

Make sure that after her night time feed, her teeth are cleaned.

Hope this helps!

Well it would have helped if someone had listened...I have been saying this too but OH seems quite ignorant and since we dont get along that well she doesnt tend to listen to me much.

 

[Baby France]

Hmmm...breast feeding is definately not the cause as to why your daughter is losing her teeth. Otherwise it would be a fairly regular occurance.

I have heard that crisp are better than sweets, but ones as in wotsits/quavers the type that melt in your mouth. I wouldn't give my children anything but them from fear of choking tbh.

Sweets, the sugars lie on the teeth until cleaned. I also heard that biscuits are bad for teeth too.

 

[spacebaby]

It isn't to do with bf. It is to do with genetics, diet and oral hygiene. If had anything to do with bf - early humans and all those un-touched tribes would have serious decay...they didn't and don't!

I think you're wrong. Did people used to breastfeed so long and as their child was going to sleep?

I don't know whether BF caused the OP's LOs tooth problems, but it's only relatively recently (post 20thC) that extended BF went "out of fashion". So I definitely don't agree that women who do extended BF are putting their LOs teeth at risk. There's a much higher incidence of tooth damage with formula/bottles in bed. But I agree that BF repeatedly at night could cause more decay.

My LO was BF until almost 19 months and his teeth are ok - but I worry much more about his diet - which is high in dried fruit which sticks to teeth and can cause problems.
So I make sure to brush his teeth really well before bed. A huge part of good teeth is genetics though - my brother has perfect teeth and rarely brushed/ate crap as a kid and teen. I have insanely good hygiene/diet and still go to the dentist 3x/year for additional cleanings just to keep them in good shape! (Our parents are different - I was adopted)

Another thing about baby teeth is how soon they get them! My LO didn't get teeth until right around his first birthday and my dentist said that is actually good because when they get teeth early, they are still milk feeding very frequently and there's more chance to get decay.

Our dentist said avoid dried fruit as it is so high in sugars. Also avoid fruit juices - just give her water or milk to drink. Better to give them slices of fresh fruit and vegetables.

 

[v2007]

If you OH is ignorant about dental hygiene then i foresee regular a whole heap of visits to the dentist.

V xxx

 

[v2007]

It isn't to do with bf. It is to do with genetics, diet and oral hygiene. If had anything to do with bf - early humans and all those un-touched tribes would have serious decay...they didn't and don't!

I think you're wrong. Did people used to breastfeed so long and as their child was going to sleep?

I don't know whether BF caused the OP's LOs tooth problems, but it's only relatively recently (post 20thC) that extended BF went "out of fashion". So I definitely don't agree that women who do extended BF are putting their LOs teeth at risk. There's a much higher incidence of tooth damage with formula/bottles in bed. But I agree that BF repeatedly at night could cause more decay.

My LO was BF until almost 19 months and his teeth are ok - but I worry much more about his diet - which is high in dried fruit which sticks to teeth and can cause problems.
So I make sure to brush his teeth really well before bed. A huge part of good teeth is genetics though - my brother has perfect teeth and rarely brushed/ate crap as a kid and teen. I have insanely good hygiene/diet and still go to the dentist 3x/year for additional cleanings just to keep them in good shape! (Our parents are different - I was adopted)

Another thing about baby teeth is how soon they get them! My LO didn't get teeth until right around his first birthday and my dentist said that is actually good because when they get teeth early, they are still milk feeding very frequently and there's more chance to get decay.

Our dentist said avoid dried fruit as it is so high in sugars. Also avoid fruit juices - just give her water or milk to drink. Better to give them slices of fresh fruit and vegetables.

You don't have to avoid anything, just as long as teeth are brushed well with a good toothpaste twice a day

 

[spacebaby]

If you OH is ignorant about dental hygiene then i foresee regular a whole heap of visits to the dentist.

V xxx

Even when i tell her certain foods are bad she still gets them. Today I got home from work and LO was munching a Farley's Rusk. "The dont have much sugar, they dont taste sweet". A quick look at the box tells you 30% sugar. Duh!!

 

[Baby France]

Cut out sweets full stop. Maybe yoghurts, grapes even crisp will probably be better for her teeth.

Make sure that after her night time feed, her teeth are cleaned.

Hope this helps!

Well it would have helped if someone had listened...I have been saying this too but OH seems quite ignorant and since we dont get along that well she doesnt tend to listen to me much.

Are you estranged then?

If so, you need to sit her down and have a serious chat to her. Hopefully the horror (I would be mortified) of her baby/toddler losing teeth that she might start listening!! Does she have fizzy drinks in the house?

 

[spacebaby]

It isn't to do with bf. It is to do with genetics, diet and oral hygiene. If had anything to do with bf - early humans and all those un-touched tribes would have serious decay...they didn't and don't!

I think you're wrong. Did people used to breastfeed so long and as their child was going to sleep?

I don't know whether BF caused the OP's LOs tooth problems, but it's only relatively recently (post 20thC) that extended BF went "out of fashion". So I definitely don't agree that women who do extended BF are putting their LOs teeth at risk. There's a much higher incidence of tooth damage with formula/bottles in bed. But I agree that BF repeatedly at night could cause more decay.

My LO was BF until almost 19 months and his teeth are ok - but I worry much more about his diet - which is high in dried fruit which sticks to teeth and can cause problems.
So I make sure to brush his teeth really well before bed. A huge part of good teeth is genetics though - my brother has perfect teeth and rarely brushed/ate crap as a kid and teen. I have insanely good hygiene/diet and still go to the dentist 3x/year for additional cleanings just to keep them in good shape! (Our parents are different - I was adopted)

Another thing about baby teeth is how soon they get them! My LO didn't get teeth until right around his first birthday and my dentist said that is actually good because when they get teeth early, they are still milk feeding very frequently and there's more chance to get decay.

Our dentist said avoid dried fruit as it is so high in sugars. Also avoid fruit juices - just give her water or milk to drink. Better to give them slices of fresh fruit and vegetables.

You don't have to avoid anything, just as long as teeth are brushed well with a good toothpaste twice a day

You are better to avoid them. They actually tell nurseries not to give kids dried fruit now here in Scotland at least.

 

[spacebaby]

Cut out sweets full stop. Maybe yoghurts, grapes even crisp will probably be better for her teeth.

Make sure that after her night time feed, her teeth are cleaned.

Hope this helps!

Well it would have helped if someone had listened...I have been saying this too but OH seems quite ignorant and since we dont get along that well she doesnt tend to listen to me much.

Are you estranged then?

If so, you need to sit her down and have a serious chat to her. Hopefully the horror (I would be mortified) of her baby/toddler losing teeth that she might start listening!! Does she have fizzy drinks in the house?

No she's not quite that barking.

 

[Baby France]

Farleys rusks are terrible for sugar! Agree with V, regular visits to dentist - we go every six months for a check up, as do my kids!

If your OH is in denial about stuff, make a list of the food she regularly feeds your daughter and arrange a meeting with your dentist. I can't tell you enough how you need to stamp this out now!!! Your OH needs to be aware she is ruining your babies teeth. As V said, with appropriate cleaning then there isn't a problem, but personally there are things that children just should not have i.e. fizzy drinks.

ETA: Just noted your fizzy drinks comment still you need to get her on the same game plan!