Cavities?

blushingbride_08

My LO is 15 months. I noticed white spots on his teeth when the first erupted. His pedi said not to worry since they could be calcium deposits. She also said not to take him to the dentist until 2 years old. I also told her I was having a hard time brushing his teeth. She said dont stress over it now since as he gets older he will try to imitate us. I still attempt to brush his teeth twice a day although he barely opens his mouth. It's more of going thru the motions of doing it and getting him the process. Anyway now some of the white spots have faded but one spot is turning yellowish. I googled it (I hate google) and it looks like a cavity but I'm not sure. What will the dentist do when I take him? Will they need to be filled if they are cavities? I feel like a horrible mom.

blushingbride_08

HilarityEnsued:

We took him to the dentist when he was 14 months old.  She brushed his teeth and spent most of the time talking to me and DH about good snacks, good tooth care, blah blah blah.  She mentioned flossing his teeth and I laughed in her face (literally).  Trying to brush DS' teeth is worse than trying to herd cats into the bath.

If they have cavities, they will treat them.  I guess they fill them, but I'm not entirely sure.  Where are the white spots?  On molars?  Or on his other teeth?  I have never heard of white spots being cavities.  Our dentist told us that white spots can be fluoride related but at 15 months I think he's young to be seeing that.

I'm not a dentist so take this all with grain of salt.  Also, our pediatrician and the pediatric dentist both said to take him to the dentist at 12 months old.  I have heard from many other bumpies that they don't go until closer to 3, but in reality, there is really no harm in seeing the dentist earlier if you have concerns, or just because.  The pediatric dentist did say that the early visits are mostly for getting them used to the idea of the dentist, etc., and to catch any SERIOUS problems that may be happening.

FWIW, I totally love our pediatrician, but if I had a concern about anything, I would seek out a specialist regardless of whether the pediatrician told me not to worry.  I'm taking DS to a pediatric opthamologist (sp?) to check out his tear ducts because I think they are still blocked.  The pediatrician said not to worry, but he's not an eye doctor, so I'm just going to go with my mom gut anyway.

the spots are on his front teeth. I've only had 1 cavity in my life and that was right before LO was born. I'm so clueless when it comes to cavities and procedures. 

anna&jl2011

I'm a dental hygienist, but definitely not an expert on teeth.  Of course without seeing it, i can't tell you for sure but I would say it's probably not a cavity.  It could just be a defect in the enamel. But if you are worried about it. I would definitely get it check.  If it is a cavity they would fill it but your child would have to be sedated a little or they would use Nitrous Oxide because no 15 month is going to be still to let them do the work.

Most things you read say to take your child to the dentist with the first start getting teeth.  With that said, my DS will not be going until he is about 2. Most of the time on the first visit they will just look at the child's teeth and let him get comfortable with everythiing.  

Also, you are not a horrible mom.  Children get cavities no matter how much you take care of there teeth sometimes.  But there are things you can do to help prevent them and of course one is brushing there teeth, also NO soft drinks (they are terrible for teeth), and don't let them sip on juice of milk all day long.  I don't ever give my DS juice(mean mama lol) He drinks water throughout the day and milk 3 times.  

Hope this helps!