At my daughter's last check up the dentist told us that her teeth are rotting. He pretty much accused me of neglect. The truth is I am baffled. I brush her teeth with her every morning and evening so I don't know were all this decay is coming from. He wants to remove three of her teeth and one of them is a back tooth, which my sister says shouldn't be removed unless absolutely necessary. Can you give me some idea what is going on?
Mary
Dear Mary,
I am sorry your dentist accused you of neglect. The truth is you can do everything correctly with brushing and flossing and still have cavities. There are other contributing factors. The first is genetics. However, if you and your husband don't struggle with this then that is not likely the issue. The second factor is much more likely.
One of the biggest allies you have in fighting decay is your daughter's saliva. It is loaded with minerals designed to fight bacteria. The problem comes when someone snacks too much or has too many drinks during the day. Try to limit your daughter to no more than one or two snacks a day. Make sure she drinks way more water than juice and avoid sodas at all costs, especially at her age.
I know it is tough, but if you do this, you will see a dramatic decrease in decay. You should also consider switching to a different pediatric dentist. You need one who works with you to find solutions, not accuse you of things. There are always things to try in order to improve an outcome.
Disclaimer: This article is general information from Dr. Harveer Kaur and is not a substitute for a dental exam, diagnosis, or treatment. Every mouth is different. If you have a concern about your teeth or gums, call our Ahwatukee office at (480) 283-0733 or our Chandler office at (480) 895-3252 and we will help you sort it out.
Dr. Harveer Kaur, DDS, BDS
Dr. Kaur is the founder of Kokopelli Dentistry, serving patients in Ahwatukee and Chandler, Arizona. She focuses on family and cosmetic dentistry.
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