Learn from my mistake!!!

I totally freaked out tonight and thought I would share it with everyone, because no-one else really tells you about this and it's important (and it's made me feel like a real idiot)!

If you haven't yet taken your toddler to the dentist, make an appointment asap! After tonight's mad dash for research, apparently they should start going when they hit only 1 year old and some dentists even like them to go more frequently than we do.

I was trying yet again in vain to get Marisa to brush her teeth tonight when I noticed a tan/brown spot on a back molar. I tried using a fingernail and toothbrush as best I could and it wouldn't come off. I am pretty sure this is tooth decay. It seems to be under the tooth as well, but it's really hard to get to and you cant see it unless you look really hard (awkward position).

I have done a few things wrong which may have caused this, she has a milo or warm milk to go to bed with (which was a way we tried to get her weaned) but this is a no-no which we now know-know lol. Anyway, just wanted to say that if your toddler hasn't been yet, please make a time to get them started with your dentist. I have read lots of stories on the net where even soley breastfed babies have developed cavities (they are also hereditary so not always that easy to prevent) and parents didn't realise until it was the first dental visit when they were older and it had gotten bad.

So don't be like me and feel like a total spazzo of a mum LOL - cos I feel bloody awful now that it may mean she will need sedation and fillings to fix this! I will fill you in on Monday as I will be taking her Dr. Axel as soon as I can. I wonder what my $600 family bonus will be used for - ironically we get it on Monday too LMAO!

I just wish that I knew that check-ups should have started sooner - parents need to be educated on the best way to avoid this!

Hi Kelly

Thanks for that. Like you I didn't know they were supposed to go so young. I did think it was around the 2 yr old mark but definitely not that early. I hope Marisa goes well on Monday and it is something that can easily be fixed.

Love :smt049

Its funny you should mention this because I am going to take paris soon :) She's really good with brushing her teeth though, we brush for her to make sure its all clean and then she does it herself. Marc taught her to spit in the shower because they say its not good for little ones to swallow toothpaste (even childrens), so she's really good at spitting it out too.

I am paranoid about teeth because both marc & I have bad teeth. I think because I have an older niece though I have been told all this stuff before. My niece's dentist says that even up until they are 7 or 8 they really aren't good enough to brush their teeth on their own as they often miss the back molars etc. Paris gets water before bed, mostly because she drinks less of it so stays dry through the night. But we have never been one to give milk before bed as a friend I knew had a little girl who's front teeth rotted completely away and she always slept with milk (usually it would sit in her mouth which caused them to rot). But kelly I think when we are weaning our babies we will try anything so please don't feel like a spazzo mum as we all do things to appease them from time to time ;) The fact that you know about it now means you can do something so try not to beat yourself up too much!

I also stay away from Jelly lollies or lollies/lollipops in general as they stick to the teeth. Paris is allowed chocolate from time as I read somewhere that its better for their teeth as it rinses away with saliva quicker and easier than lollies. She still does have the occasional lollie here and there (I am not that mean LOL) but if she is going to have a treat its generally chocolate rather than anything else. OOOOOOH! And speaking of lollies, just an FYI my gf told me about after going to a childrens hospital. Try not to (if you can, after hearing this paris never has them) give little ones (even up to 4 I think they said) marshmallows, as if they breath them in they lodge into their throat and expand causing the airway to be completely blocked. Apparently its quite common and very dangerous so yeah just a bit of FYI totally off topic I know LOL!

Please don't stress kel, a mother who can admit her downfalls is a good one in my opinion because it means you only going to grow as a mother :) If that makes any sense at all.

Thanks for sharing your post, its funny how sometimes we take the smallest things for granted.

*hugs*
Cailin

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But we have never been one to give milk before bed as a friend I knew had a little girl who's front teeth rotted completely away and she always slept with milk (usually it would sit in her mouth which caused them to rot)

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uho i hope this doesnt happen to joshua! i dont think his dad knows to take him to the dentist, hes 2 and a half at the end of this month and he always goes to bed with milk, he always gets his teeth brushed and tries to do it himself, maybe i should mention to him that he should go to the dentist..

Lesley

Thanks for the kind words Cailin ;). Marisa likes to brush with dad in the shower too. I guess as many sites I read, littlies don't have the hand control that we do to get those back teeth, so we really should have tried harder to do the brushing for her back teeth. #-o

Went down to mums today as my sister is a dental nurse, she is going to get me into a lovely Orthadontic Dentist on Tuesday (poor Dr. Ecke is away - broke his ankle!!) and apparently she is very good. My sister does think though that the dentist wont be able to treat her, just assess and refer her to a paed. dentist, as normal dentists aren't very inclined to work with young children due to some sort of sedative or anaesthetic required. My sister did say though that it was decay :(

She bought Marisa a gorgeous Nemo toothbrush from the surgery, which Marisa thinks is fabulous and they even brushed their teeth together! So I think we'll have to take Nemo out everywhere with us. Just have to keep hoping she'll let us help her get those back teeth!

I just didn't want you to feel too bad ;) As I think we have all btdt when it comes to these sorts of things.

That is so great about the nemo toothbrush, paris loves all things to do with her teeth, and especially her disney princess toothpaste LOL! She's going to be so ecstatic when she can finally use the princess range of toothbrushes ;)

Well done ris for brushing your teeth, keep up the good work =D> =D>

I didn't realise there were paed dentists, so thats good to know I will look into that and see if our health insurance co. has a gap free one :)

Goodluck, and you'll have to let us know how it goes.

*bighugs*
Cailin

Okay update LOL!

Went into the city to see our dentist and of course she refused to open her mouth to anyone! So rather than risk her having a bad experience at the dentist and hating them forever, the dentist advised that we should come back another time (ie a few months) and not to stress too much as decay takes ages to form - it wouldn't do much harm since she's not in pain (decay hurts them). She gave us some 'toothmoose' which is flavoured toothpaste which is specially designed to help break down early cavities (cavies) and we've been madly brushing away since she loves the flavour and it's easier!

We managed to get a picture of her opening her mouth quite close and took it to the dentist, so she advised getting an OPG scan done (the one that goes around their head) so she wouldn't have to worry about opening her mouth! The scan took two tries but she thought it was great fun on the second and we found out that there was no decay *PHEW*!!! It could be decalcification which is apparently more common in young children but it is on the surface and that is all. If it is decay, it will take long enough to worsen, that she'll lose that tooth before it causes any problems.

So that was a huge relief. The scan was amazing though - we saw her six year molars in her gum already, the roots hadn't formed yet but you could see a good sized tooth in each spot, which looked encapsulated in the gum - really freaky!

Feeling much like I have a load off my shoulders now that she doesn't have decay and doesn't need an anaesthetic. I would be a mess! So yeah, I still think we should all take our littlies to the the dentist more often, you just never know.... ;)

That must be such a relief for you Kelly.

It's good that you managed to get a toothpaste that she likes, I remember having a strawberry flavoured one when I was little LOL! Mum says that it's all we would use!

Hi

I did not know about them going to the dentist early. Kimberley is 17 months old and likes her toothbrush and toothpaste but she has now got into eating the toothpaste first.

Also thanks for saying about marshmellows she was eating some this week as ahe liked them i did not think about them getting stuck as she took hers apart bit by bit.

Glad i just poped in to see what was going on hope you don't mind.

yay! Thats great news Kelly, I am relieved for you :)

And congrats on the toothpaste, paris loves her disney princess one but I will have to look into the toothmoose.

*hugs*
Cailin

That is great news Kelly.. That definitely would have been freaky seeing her 6yr old molars already !! Glad to hear she thought it was fun too

Love :smt049

OK now here's some probably really silly questions coming up LOL....

When do you start cleaning teeth? I've got this little kit that has a gum stimulator thing in it, plus some other gadget and a little toothbrush but it doesn't actually say when to start using what IYKWIM? I'm just wondering when you do what? Do you just use the special childrens toothpaste that you buy at the supermarket when you do start cleaning their teeth and if they're only little, how do you get their little mouths rinsed out etc?

OK...sorry for asking silly questions but it's just my mind is ticking over all sorts of things ATM! LOL

I'm glad to hear that everything is ok with Marisa and I would never have know that you would take them to the dentist so young, so there's definitely a valuable piece of info!!

Tootie - You have to start with a brush as soon as a tooth erupts, as that's when tartar can start forming. You can buy baby brushes, make sure they are rated soft and make sure you use baby toothpaste (less fluoride). When you go for your annual check-up, my dentist says that it's a good time to bring baby, just for familiarisation, and they can discuss with you plans for future visits.

Thanks for all the kind wishes guys - I tell you what I was so wrecked about the whole thing! The toothmoose is higher fluoride and from the dentist - you can only use it for a certain time for young children, but it helps if there are early signs of problems. They also suggested if your child is old enough, get them used to flossing - amazingly Marisa will do this with John with her front teeth. Not all children will do this but she thinks it's a novelty at the moment!

Well my fears have come true - we spent the morning in the city with a paed. dentist as it's gotten worse - even though we are brushing like mad with special toothpaste, Marisa needs to have a general anaesthetic to have some work done :( I already know I am going to be a big mess!

She has a couple of small pits in some back molars, which need to be semi filled, and some smaller ones have started on her bottom front teeth (from the back). They will also fissure seal the teeth so they will be protected in future. The dentist was really good, he tried to reassure me that these things do happen and babies can just be born with problem teeth, but still, I wish she didn't have to have an operation for it all!!! Argh!!!

My sister is a dental nurse who knows this specialist and she is trying to get into the Op to help out, so I will feel somewhat better... but I know I will be a nervous wreck anyway... maybe I will go into early labour lmao... it's all booked for October so will try to remain calm until then. Oh well... fingers crossed all will go smoothly. I am sure it will, but you know, when it's your own bubbas... you always worry about the worst case scenario!

Time for caffiene LOLOL... pleeeeease guys don't go through this... as soon as your little one has it's first tooth erupt - make brushing fun and get them excited about brushing!!! Harder said than done I know LOL but it's amazing how many people don't realise brushing needs to be introduced as soon as the first tooth comes through.

Oh no Kelly. Big :hugs: for you all. Kameron is slowly getting better at it and ever since you first said it keep checking for anything unusual :) I hope she does well. !!!

Love :hbeat:

Awww Kelly :hugs: I'm sure all will go well, but can understand why you are so worried.

Hi Kelly, sorry to hear about Marisa! You poor bugger!

The other thing that hasn't been mentioned here, is that people who live out of Melbourne and those on tank water should really give there kids a fluoride suppplement. Fluoride helps to prevent tooth decay. Unfortantly there has been a problem with the factory so fluoride drops will not be available until JANUARY, but the tablets should be available again from this month inwards.

If you live in Melbourne or where there is fluoride in the water supply, you do NOT have to supplement your childs diet

I hope this makes sense!

Jo

oh dear :hugs:

i hope u can get ur sister in there so u can feel more reassured.. good luck marissa!

take care
Lesley

Tomorrow is the day!!! ARGH!!!! I am soooo nervous and I know she will be fine but I am going to lose it as soon as it's time for her to go in, I just know it!!! We have to leave really early so I think she'll be the first cab off the rank which might be better but still... I don't have any idea of how they put toddlers to sleep and I am just freaking thinking about it!!!!

*calm blue oceans, calm blue oceans*

Aww big hugs Kelly :hugs: Will be thinking of both of you tomorrow

Love :hbeat:

:hugs: Kelly, That must be so scary for you... but I'm sure Marisa and you will do just fine... Goodluck, I will be thinking of you.

And speaking of teeth... as Aidyn's first one came through last week I had better get a baby toothbrush for him tomorrow! I had never considered that you would need to bursh it this young... but it does make perfect sense! I have read somehwere that you shouldn't use toothpaste for a baby so young (5 months), but I will check out that baby toothpaste anyway and see what it says. Especially as Brisbane doesn't have flouridated water (grrrrrr!)

Poor Ris!

Poor Kelly!

I'm sure it will all be fine. DPs teeth are shocking (cigarettes) but the only fillings I had to have were because my molars have very deep indentations in them, and food was getting caught. Haven't been to a dentist in years though oops!

Thanks guys :) I am trying!!!

Ambah - as long as you can make brushing fun it makes a huge difference! Marisa was very stubborn with not wanting to brush or letting us do it. We didn't want to force it down her and then she resent brushing altogether but it made it tricky as obviously they need to brush!

Colgate's My First Toothpaste is for 1-6 year olds, so I would say any younger and you are right - you can't use much, but water should be fine as long as he gets the idea of brushing. Marisa loves it now that she has a Dory toothbrush, Nemo toothbrush and a Bugs Bunny toothbrush. When we do it together she is better at brushing, will imitate and brush longer.

Good luck!! And as her dentist said - if I was a toddler I wouldn't like anyone shoving a toothbrush down my throat either!!! :D

Oh Good luck tomorrow Kelly!!!

This is the first time I've read this post, but I'm glad I have. The hospital I went too actually asked me to take part in an educational/research thing about tooth decay, so when I was PG I had to watch a video basically saying exactly what you have, not to feed to sleep at night with anything other than water, to brush teeth from the time one erupts & try to brush at least twice a day.... so wow I was scared from that!! They also suggested going to the dentist from 1year, just getting baby used to going etc....

Good luck Kelly & Marisa :luck:

I'm sure you'll both be fine :)

For those that are interested just thought I would give a quick wrap up on what happened! It's really long and probably really boring but I just have to get it out so I can feel better!!! It was pretty bloody awful though, I am sooooooo going to make sure I am very vigilant for now on!

We arrived early as she had to be in for 7am admission, Marisa was very quiet from being woken up early but she's always been funny with strangers. I knew it wasn't going to be fun due to her shyness - when we were called to do her obs, she wouldn't stand on the scales and we ended up having to get my sister to hold her and then subtract her own weight. Had a bit better luck doing her temperature, heartbeat and name bands (around her wrists) but it took some coaxing. They didn't put the emla cream on her hands like all the other kids, which I was very upset about, it's the cream that they use to numb your hands for injections/drips. They didn't want to upset her anymore, but didn't even try it...

We waited ages and when it was ready, they decided to give her a sedative first, so it would be easier to give her gas. They warned me it would make her drowsy and 'drunk', to my surprise she took the medicine okay but it was when she had it, it really set me off. She was very floppy and totally drunk! She kept giggling to herself and her speech got worse and worse - slow and slurred. She was given this stuffed teddy by one of the nurses earlier, and she started zooming it from an arms length away and then made it touch her nose, giggling like mad when it did touch her nose! She had lost the plot! She grew more sleepy and weak and just let herself relax in my arms. It made me so upset, she was so helpless and floppy lying there and could hardly move.

As I mentioned, my sister Lauren is a Dental Nurse and she asked the operating surgeon (the paed dentist) if she could observe, so this was okayed and she went to scrub up... as she went off, Marisa squeaked out this tiny little weak, high pitched ... "Lauren?" and I was bawling... I told her that she'd come back soon and the part I had been dreading - they came to get her.

I couldn't stop bawling, I held her and brought her things with my spare hand into the anaesthetic room, she never moved a muscle, she was looking straight ahead the whole time, so numb... I had to prop her on the bed so they could give her gas to go to sleep and she reached for my hand so slowly, I grabbed it, gave her a kiss on the cheek and she was asleep so fast... I then had to go and couldn't go back to the waiting room. All the other parents in there bar one was crying like myself (who was also on her own, I think everyone else there had their husband with them) and they were all fine about the whole operation thing for their children. I was the only one pregnant though!!!

I stood in the hallway and everytime I stopped myself crying and composed myself, someone would come check on me and ask those words, 'Are you okay...?' and set me off again!!! They were all very nice and supportive but I was just very upset and there was no consoling me!!!

The surgery took about 45 minutes and the surgeon came out to see me. He said that it all went well and was all fixed up, much of the problem was to do with the structure of the teeth (everyone has differently designed grooves etc), so the way he fixed it up was to make the fillings (forget all the terms he used!) level out these grooves. He also fissure sealed the back ones in future and when he sees her again, wants to test the ph level of her saliva, as some people have varying levels of ph and this can be a problem with teeth. The reason he suspects it might be a problem was due to the way the teeth were copping the damage.

I was called into recovery soon after as Marisa was very upset. This is the reason why I was angry about the emla cream - they had put a drip in her hand in case something happened and she was majorly cracking it. It was hurting her and she wanted the bandage off. Of course she was really weak at the same time, making all these funny noises but I was just so happy to see her... after her bawling and being very unhappy for about 15-20 minutes, they agreed to take it off, I agreed that if they took it out and she needed meds, she would take oral medicine. I knew it would make her happier to get the darn thing off.

They took the drip out, and I think the nurse was starting to get ****ty as she was rough and Marisa squirmed something fierce, but once it was out, I started singing to her and she was out like a light for 2-3 hours. We went home after the first hour and had a quiet day.

It all sounds silly to think a simple procedure would set someone off so much, but it was sooooo upsetting to see her like that and to have someone else control the well being of your own child. I am so glad it's over, and hope that I never, ever, have to go through that again.

Oh Kelly I would have been bawling if I was in your shoes as well :hugs: I get teary when my kids are sick in just a normal scenario cause I can't make them instantly better

Hope she is feeling a bit better today

Love :hbeat:

Awww Kelly :hugs:

I'm so glad that ou both came through everything ok, well in the end at least ;)

I hope Marisa is feeling better today & you're alot less stressed.

:hugs: Kelly...
Thats sounds like it was pretty traumatic... it must have been so hard to deal with!
But at least now it is all over & done with and you can breathe a sigh of relief.
I hope Marisa is feeling better too.

Just bumping this up, I was only wondering this the other day when to start taking Matthew to the dentist - very soon!

Thanks for bumping it Nell.

I'm so sorry it was such a traumatic experience, Kelly. Even if it was so long ago.

I took Vivienne, and take Blake now, into the room with me every time I have a check up. Blake, as did Viv - actually she still does - watches me while I'm having my check up.

Because Viv was in with me since she was a baby in the pram, she had no problem with the transition to the chair herself.

She in fact has had two major procedures - including kiddy root canal - on one tooth which is particularly weak, and she was so brave and just took it all in her stride.

I recommend you take your little ones in with you right from day dot so they can understand it's normal and there's nothing to be scared of.

Wow, I love these blast from the past posts!!! I am happy to say Marisa now loves the dentist, she's had her teeth checked several times, opens her mouth for women as well as men now and loves a ride in the chair. I guess the gentle approach worked well, not pushing it if she didn't like it, just trying again another time and lots of fun :) She loves her electric toothbrush and has some toothpaste she loves too, so it doesn't last forever :) Elijah on the other hand is completely opposite and has loved brushing his teeth for some time and is happy for me to do it. Gees, Ris is such a stubborn thing!!!

Awww poor Brielle! Can you maybe take a personal CD player & headphones so that she can listen to some music or something rather than having to hear all the equipment going all the time? Hope the appt goes well, Shannon.

Hmmm, It wouldnt be so bad, if it wasnt ME whom is totally petrified of the dentist!!!