How can this even BE???

[flea]

mr. flea took the Dillo to the dentist today. You may recall he'd had multiple cavities filled in January of this year. Well, now he apparently needs 4 caps, and one is so bad they might have to just pull the tooth and put in a spacer until the permanent tooth comes in.

We brush the child's teeth. They took x-rays in January and took care of everything that showed up at all. And yet in the ensuing 6 months, he got cavities so bad he now needs caps and might lose a tooth? What the hell?

Comments

[e_juliana]

I have horrifically bad teeth, and I floss and brush religiously. I've honestly lost track of how many root canals I've had (maybe 9?), but I do remember having 4 (in one session!!) when I was 15. It's genetics, same as having bad knees or a bad thyroid. I'm sorry Dillo's having to go through it, though.

[sara]

Have you got fluoridated water? We don't, and have to be v. aggressive about post-facto fluoridation as a result.

[flea]

Flouride rinse for the children has been purchased and will be implemented tonight! I'd assumed our water was flouridated, but maybe not. mr. flea, as a water engineer, is supposed to keep track of that stuff.

[ste_noni]

I'm so sorry - I have nothing to really make you feel better, but I get it.

We've started using one of those oralB electric toothbrushes iwth the kids and we use fluoridated mouth wash. Since all her issues in PR and a cavity last fall, Ellie has been holding her own.

[flea]

We have the cheap $6 electric ones for the kids, but at this point if a $70 electric would make a difference it would completely be worth it! We saw some fancy electrics designed for kids at Target last week, actually.

[katie_m]

Augh, that's frustrating.

I don't know if he's too young for them, but have you guys tried sealants? My mother swears that I have many fewer cavities than my brother because sealants came in between his childhood and mine.

[flea]

We did get Casper's permanent molars sealed. I think they don't seal baby teeth (which is where the problems have been) and really we need to start forcibly flossing, since these are between the teeth cavities (which sealing doesn't prevent.) Imagine the joy of flossing your 4 year old's teeth daily. I think mr. flea will be doing it.

[katie_m]

...have you considered dentures? What is he, four? I'll bet he'd think having removable teeth was awesome!

[/potentially inappropriate joke]

[forodwaith]

Oh lord. No idea why poor Dillo is having this trouble (other than aforesaid genetics), but you have my heartfelt sympathy.