Dentist Wants to Pull More Teeth

You do realize that her mouth is going to grow as she continues to grow, right? ALL children go through an awkward stage. Good grief, STOP PULLING HER TEETH just so she looks good at the age of 8!

I'm not an expert, but I'd probably see an orthodontist for a second opinion. This may be one way to solve the problem, but braces are not the end of the world and an ortho may have another way to solve the problem. The consultations are free, so no harm in gathering info.

When I was a kid my ped dentist pulled my bottom front 4 teeth for some unknown reason to me at this day and age. The only one that didn't hurt was the one that was already loose!!! I've hated dentist for most of my life growing up because of that!!! Ask you daughter how SHE feels about the whole thing.

Secondly, I have a 10 yr old daughter and I was told several times by her dentist that she will probably need braces and to take her to an ortho for 'early intervention'. My thought was that was a waste of my money because she hadn't even lost all her baby teeth yet!! I didn't have braces till I was in middle school and she is only in 5th grade!! She has now lost all her baby teeth and without early intervention, I'd say they look pretty dang straight!! Mind you she still has some molars to come in which can push her teeth out of line but I'll deal with that if and when the time comes.

IMO let your daughter's teeth be and let them do what they are going to do on their own and then go from there.

S.

I would never return to this dentist.

I have a mouth full of cavities that to this day I truly don't believe are real. The last time I saw Dr. X he said I needed 3 more fillings - I didn't get them since I had no insurance.

When I got insurance again and went to a new dentist - new dentist said there was nothing wrong with my teeth.

This mama says you are being taken for a fool by your dentist. Stop Stop Stop going to them.

What's the worst that can happen? She needs braces when she's a teenager?

I have become very specticle about dentists lately. I think you really have to search for a good one that will be a straight shooter and doesn't just want to take advantage of insurance.

I have had several experiences in the past few years that have made me realize that things are recommended only because we have great insurance.

One example - our dentist (that I DO trust) has been suggesting I take my daughter (that has very nice teeth but are slow to come in - age 12) to an orthodontist just to make sure they didn't think one tooth should be pulled. He just wanted to know sooner if braces would ever come into play so he could make a decision. The orthodontist said my daughter had the most perfect teeth that had ever come into her office. THEN, once realizing we had great insurance recommended getting spacers put in......her reasoning was "why not, you have good insurance."

I really don't trust people anymore that just like to make money off insurance companies.

I think I would consult a good orthodontist and another pediatric dentist before having anymore teeth removed. The more quality professional opinions you have the better. My hubby is a specialty dentist and I would ask him for you (he hates it when I do that lol) but he isn't home.

In the 80s, I had a lot of adult teeth pulled and was told repeatedly that by doing this, I wouldn't need braces. I ended up getting braces anyway. I have never forgotten the whole experience. Eating baby food for a few days after having 2-4 teeth pulled at a time. Getting all sorts of retainers including one with a key used to push my upper teeth apart. Ouch. Despite having all those teeth pulled, my teeth are fine. Every time I see a new dentist, they comment how great my teeth look. I don't think it did anything negative except permanently burn the memories in my brain.

I should note that the orthodontist never pulled my canine teeth. I would think your daughter should keep those. Definitely take her to an orthodontist for a second opinion.

I have been reading a lot about diet and how it affects health lately due to my daughter's multiple autoimmune illnesses. I ran across this tonight:

http://dev.westonaprice.org/childrens-health/1998-traditi...

Interesting study (though old) about how tooth/jaw development have changed over the years due to dietary changes.

I think some of the responses are confusing baby teeth with adult teeth. Baby teeth are space holders for the adult teeth and help them come down in the right position. On the other hand, if they won't come out, they can cause the adult teeth to veer off path. But doesn't hurt to get a second opinion. Adult teeth should not be pulled without 2 orthodontic opinions and they will NEVER pull the adult canines. Phase I treatment is controversial - some docs are for and some against so you will find varying opinions. There is more sensitivity these days to how kids feel socially about their teeth so docs are tyring to help with that. Also, severe overjet where the 2 front teeth are sticking straight out are in some danger of childhood accidents. So they are thinking about these things but up to you to assess the risk/reward of treatment.

The less moving an orthodondist has to do, the stronger the adult teeth will be. It's not that unsual to pull baby teeth when they are not coming put quick enough.

You child may just have a difficult set of teeth, just like me. The Dentist pulled out all of my baby teeth over time. I don't think this is something to put before the forum; every child is different. Trust the professional.

My advice is to get a free consult from an orthodontist. If her problems can be fixed by pulling some teeth... yeah! I have 8 kids and so far 4 have had to have braces. The ones whose mouths were too small (2/4) had teeth pulled out but they still needed braces. One of them had to get an expander just to fit in the 2 front teeth (adult ones)! We have used Dr. Bonilla at Ideal Orthodontics on Denton Tap Rd and Hwy 121 next to Market Place. I'm pretty sure the consult is free and that will give you another professionals opinion. Best wishes and God bless!

Don't let the dentist pull adult teeth unless it is absolutely neccessary. My ortho wanted to pull to adult teeth. My dad who as depression generation lost his and had partials and was appalled that this dr wanted to pull healthy adult teeth. The ortho insisted and dad told him if you can't straighten the her teeth with what she has, he would find someone who could. Wow! So 25 years after the braces are off, I still have a mouth full of healthy teeth and it is not worse for having to work around the space. As as matter of fact, I am missing one adult tooth front bottom. When the baby fell out there was nothing there! Please get a 2nd opinion.

No way I would refuse to pull teeth just for cosmetic purposes the teeth will fall out & come in as they will fit her mouth after they are in then you can prepare for retaineers & other orthodontic work as she grows not when she just has no cavaties to pull teeth.I'm another story my son has had crowns out on his baby teeth due to cavaties now he has had to have 2 teeth pulled in the result he was getting absess from his decayed teeth now on Monday he will have another pulled then the healing process before a space maintaner will be put in place these are his baby molars that he has an issue with,his other adult teeth I don't want to be affected by the decayed teeth so this is the only way to go is to pull & do space maintaners he has a wiggly baby tooth that has been pushed back behind his baby front teeth i'm curious to when it'll fall out as his left upper teeth are comin in this 1 is getting pushed further back I have never seen that before per dentist he is to wiggle it out if not it is suggested to be pulled.

I am so confused......I have been told that children around 7 should go to the orthodontist, that there are phase 1 in a process where they put in some thing in their mouth to make the mouth palette bigger in order to keep their teeth and not pull ANY. It also provides more room hopefully preventing braces. I thought the idea of pulling all these teeth was an old school method......someone please set me straight....my daughter is 6 so I was guessing we would be heading down this track within the year.

I am late chiming in on this - and other Moms probably said the same thing - but please don't pull anymore teeth.

My son's teeth, especially the lower, were all crowded and crooked - I knew at a young age he would need braces. So I just waited it out...maintained good dental hygiene and now at 14 just put braces on him. I really thought the orthodontist would suggest pulling some - but he explained that there was enough room in my son's mouth since it gets bigger also as he grows, and the could be straightened and all fit in there.

The only problem we had with the crowding was some of the baby teeth were loath to fall out because they were literally being help in by the surrounding teeth. The dentist did help those along once the adult teeth began to come in underneath them.

Please check in with another dentist, or even an orthodontist.

God Bless.

I'm guessing your dentist is seeing her mouth is too petite for her teeth.

have you had an actual orthodontist check your child?

be very wary of general dentists who feel they have the expertise to make decisions such as this.

Long, long ago.....before children.....I worked in the dental field for almost 7 years. Time to get multiple opinions on this one.....those canines/cuspids are there for a reason!

I would get a second opinion but I imagine that any pediatric dentist is going to see the same issues.

If he is trying to help your child to not have bigger issues later I would probably go along with him.

My nurse friends kids, every one, had multiple teeth pulled around 7-9 to allow the teeth growing in to be straighter. They have HUGE teeth and small mouths. Dads teeth stick out a mile and he has a huge overbite since he has too many big teeth. I think dentists know pretty much what they are talking about and are not looking for reasons to torture children.

My top canine teeth were removed because I could not afford braces as a child (those darn U.S. child labor laws). Actually, I have never heard of another native born U.S. citizen having this procedure done. My top teeth are relatively straight. However, my bottom teeth are crooked, but they don't show as much. The issue is that canine teeth help with tearing food, so eating meat is a challenge and I tend to be a slow eater. I have received plenty of criticism for this over the years, but attitudes are now changing. I am planning to have the bottom canine teeth removed (25 years later) because my bite does not line up. For me, it was the best choice.

I agree with most of the other mothers you need a second dentist to look at your daughter. But before you go request ALL your daughters dental history from your current dentist. Take them to the new dentist. Also most adult molars are smaller than the child set, this allows for more room as the adult teeth come in. Has your dentist addressed your daughters bite? This has alot to do with braces also. Go to a pediatric ortho. If you find your current dentist did unnessary removals. I would insist he pay for all the corrections it will take to fix your childs teeth. Also if these were done without need PLEASE report him. Who knows how many other children he will do this too.

Go get another dentist at least for a 2nd opinion. I went to a dentist this fall that was going to charge $2000 out of pocket on fillings for my kids. Went to a new one and he found half as many cavities and was charging way less money per filling.

My son had a crossbite and a small mouth. The orthodontist gave him a pallette expander when he started getting permanent teeth. We cranked it once per day. Miraculously, it did not hurt him at all because the movement was in small increments. Later he did not have to have much orthodontia. It was really the best thing ever. Straight teeth, retained teeth, a short time in braces with less pain - what more could we want?