Comments on: UGH! Will the dental NIGHTMARE ever end? CAVITIES GALORE!

By: Kari

Kari — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 07:52:48 +0000

I came and found this post because I remembered it when I took my not yet 2 year old to the dentist today! He has an extra tooth, but it is in a position where it is up against the gap between his top front 2 teeth on the right, and that makes it sooo hard to brush (let alone the fact that he hates us doing it anyway!)
Well, of course he has a cavity in the 2nd tooth doesn’t he! So when he has a GA to have the extra tooth pulled out in a months time, he will also have a filling done – all at the ripe old age of 23months!! The dentist was fantastic and told me not to worry, that she understood I couldn’t get the brush in there, but it still makes me feel like a bad mummy! A filling before he’s 2! He only drinks water or milk and has not had lollies or chocolate so far and we try to keep his diet low sugar, but there is still a cavity. Fingers crossed that will be the only one he ever needs (who am I kidding!!!)
So, what I wanted to say other than blurt all that about my baby, is that sometimes cavities happen to good people! You can do the only right thing as much as you can and try as hard as you can, but sometimes higher powers work against us. Unfortunately for you, that seems to be WAY too often, but hopefully there are plusses along the way to balance out some of these stressful and guilty moments! And also big THANKYOU for putting your story out here for all us mums to read and realise we are not the only ones whose kids have cavities!!

By: Dawn

Dawn — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:53:21 +0000

I just found your blot. It is so pretty, your work is just fab. I am glad I found it.

I am a dental assistan, and I deal with a lot of kids. I want to say that your not a bad mom, I noticed a few people said they are baby teeth so let them go.

Just know that letting them go is bad. They can affect the adult teeth and they can get infections. So, please get them takin care of.

and a “root canal” on a child is sooooo easy compared to an adult. THe babe won’t even know. I must say that a lot of kids get cavities, so don’t beat yourself up.

get a rinse like the hygen….said above, and I would try to go ahead and bush for them at least every other day to “help out”. Limit, juice and other sugary drinks. I see a ton of cavities from kids and teenagers who don’t eat a lot of candy, but drink sports and vitamin drinks…they have a ton of sugar so be aware of that.

Good luck. If you have any questions..please please please email me. I would anwser any thing I can.

dawn…

By: Shawn

Shawn — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 18:51:02 +0000

Hi,
I am new to your blog.. which I am loving by the way.. but I am dental hygienist too.. DO NOT BEAT YOURSELF UP over this.. it happens. Let it go.. one thing I might reccomend is for them to put a composite veneer on the front tooth for now.. wait on a “permanent” one.. she will grow, and from experience, you will need to have it changed.. this will save a lot of $$..
Try an over the counter fluoride rince for them at night.. and again.. it’s over and done with.. take a breath and promise to do better.. Life is too short to be that worried about it.. I am sure that your dentist will agree.. and they do understand about what is happening in your family.. and if they don’t.. find a new one fast!
good luck

By: Mary

Mary — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 06:21:57 +0000

I read your blog intermittently, and you are obviously a devoted, loving mother and a strong, courageous woman. With the really big medical crises you have to deal with on an ongoing basis, you must put the dental problems in perspective. Not everything that happens to our children is our fault even though “mommy guilt” is inherent in every good mother.
Also, a bad dental check-up is not necessarily reflective of dental hygiene. My husband must have a crown replaced due to a cavity, our 27 year old son must have a new crown (yes, we still pay his dental bills), and I have to see my orthodontist for misalignment – again – after wearing braces in my thirties! All of these dental problems in one month and I assure you that each of us brush and floss without fail, and our son doesn’t even like sweets.
My point is: no one is to blame – not my husband, our son, me, and especially NOT YOU. So stop feeling guilty and save that emotional energy for the more important and demanding aspects of your life.
Hugs,
-mary
PS: Just read the comment from your Mom – wow. You are one lucky girl to have a Mom like that.

By: Charlene H.

Charlene H. — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 05:52:56 +0000

It is so funny to read other mom’s issues when I have had the same issues too! I was also shocked when I took my son to the dentist and found he had cavities. I used to let him fall asleep with his bottle in his mouth and wasn’t really great at the teeth brushing when they were small. I too, felt like the most horrible mom EVER! I was certainly more nervous taking him to get fillings than he was. On our second trip – yes we needed two!, he was laying in the chair and started to fall asleep. I had to keep poking him to wake up so he could keep his mouth open. I was so scared when they put the freezing in but he didn’t even flinch. A few years later the two teeth that had fillings both broke and he had to get them pulled – again no problem for him. Then they said they would have to put a “spacer” in so there would be room for the permanent teeth to come in. I felt so bad and then I asked how long he would have to wear the spacer they said he should get those teeth when he was 10-11. That was at least 4-6 years with that thing! Luckily his teeth have come up before they are supposed to and he got them out at 8 years. I don’t know why but he loves the dentist. She is absolutely wonderful. He gets really mad when they say he doesn’t have to come back for another year! He would go once a month if he could.

You have to make sure you have a great dental team and it sounds like you do. So don’t worry, just make sure you are there to hold his hand and you will both be fine – well he probably will be – I am not too sure about the mom part (hee hee). This is always harder on the moms.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 21:28:44 +0000

Well, your mom said it all—your son will survive and he will only be in therapy for a little while because of this! ;} Don’t be so hard on yourself—you have had just a few other things on your plate!

By: Your Mom

Your Mom — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 02:53:12 +0000

My daughter,
I read your blog about the children and the dentist, and literally burst into tears…How could you be so tough on yourself..?????I have told you this many times, and need to tell you once again…you are the most courageous and strongest woman I have ever known…and by far the most loving, caring, attentive mother….I see you like nobody else knows you…..and I have always told you that even if you weren’t my daughter, I would definitely want you for my friend………you always amaze me…you are truly blessed to have all these wonderful ladies respond with care and kindness, and share with you…..Please take all their kind words to heart and hold on to them…because all their words are so true…as good an effort as you put in, sometimes it’s just genes….Noah will take his lead from you…You have your dentist fears…..He’ll come through like a champ…after all he is your son….do you wonder where you get your blabbing from???!!!!! One step forward…never looking back…….Love you…….Mom

By: tanja fussel

tanja fussel — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 04:20:42 +0000

HEY!!! A child being diagnosed with Cancer pretty much excuses any transgression or misstep. Heck, getting through the week pretty much qualifies a mom for a bronze star! You’re a great mom! I’m always ashamed of my mom skills when I see the awesome projects you do for your family (parties with themes, puppies, etc.) Pretend that Lauren is a friend of yours, and not you! Do you judge her or give her understanding? Do you assume she always means well and does her best or do you think she just doesn’t care enough? Maybe you could be as understanding a friend to yourself as I’m sure you are to a friend. Or…. maybe you’re exhausted and need a good cry. The kids will all survive their dental trials without too many scars. Unfortunately, we can’t always protect them from everything as I KNOW you KNOW. Sorry – now it’s me rambling. Best wishes to you!

By: Karen (basketmom on SCS)

Karen (basketmom on SCS) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 03:26:42 +0000

Haven’t been to your blog in a few days and just saw this post but had to respond. First of all – you’re a great mom! Just by reading your posts, I know that!

Secondly – I brush my kids teeth too but we feed them a ton of candy – mostly because my husband and I have a sweet tooth and we just have it around. I honestly think that “bad teeth” or ones that are more cavity-prone is a heredity thing – seriously – my kids eat it ALL THE TIME and they’ve never had a cavity and to me, that’s astonishing! I am not exaggerating when I say this – my grandparents had an old-fashioned CANDY STORE when I was growing up and they brought me candy every week for YEARS and I’ve only had two cavities in my life! Yes, I brush my teeth, but frankly, I think I just have strong teeth and it’s heredity – my sister has only had a couple cavities in her whole life and we have both been over-exposed to candy and sweets our entire lives.

Ok – that was way more info than you cared to know, but my point is, sometimes this sort of thing is beyond our control!

One last thing – we got our kids those new “singing” toothbrushes (Hannah Montana and Smashmouth ones) and each song plays for 2 minutes and my kids totally brush their teeth longer than normal just to hear their songs play all the way through. Pretty cool little item, I think.

By: Mary Jo Price-Williams

Mary Jo Price-Williams — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:42:18 +0000

You are a parent that does the best that she can — that is the best kind there is! You love your kids and would do anything for them, don’t feel guilty for that! You said the dentist was awesome, I am sure it will be fine. (((((Hugs to you))))))