Toddler Dental Tips

Gosh- I'm sorry if this is a dumb question...but what is a dental carie? Is it similar to a cavity?

-W.

I have a great holistic dentist (Dr. Rudy Hajji, in Farmington Hills) and he has been telling me lots of great things about xylitol. Most notably, that it can stop and REVERSE the progress of dental caries. Best part is, it's not poisonous!!! I'm sure all the folks who recommend flouride this and that are well-meaning, but they are a little behind the times. The human body has no need for flouride and we all know that too much is bad. Since it is so pervasive in our water supplies, bottled drinks, reconstituted juices, etc., why take the chance of exposing your little ones to any more than they're already getting? Good luck on your quest (and check out the group that I told you about in the private message.) Best, J.

The advice I'm about to give you will NOT be popular. You probably won't have anyone else tell you this. But for the sake of your little one, here goes... Stop brushing your childs teeth. There it is, I've said it! I will tell you, I have impeccable dental habits but my mouth is FULL of cavities. My husband hardly ever brushes his teeth (I know, you think that's gross, and it is BUT) he has zero cavities and NO tartar or plaque and he's 34 years old. I'm pretty sure that my dental habits have caused the enamel of my teeth to be worn down. Once you lose your enamel there is NOTHING that can protect your teeth from decay. Also, something I recently learned is that I brush too hard on my teeth which can not only affect enamel but also wears away at the gum line along with brushing side to side instead of up and down.
Consider seeing a holistic dentist.

Perhaps the toothpaste is removing her enamal? It might be too much oral hygiene.

Just read the article on the bacterium Streptococcus mutans. I would guess that your your daughter is suffering from that. I would definitely give a copy of that article to the dentist. Then I would contact a Dr to have the bacterial levels in your daughter's mouth tested and then I would start pushing the medical establishment to find a cure.

HI N.-

I am a dental hygienist and have some advice. From your information, you are doing everything right as far as brushing her teeth. But, I have some questions for you. Does she drink alot of juices, natural or otherwise. These contain sugar and will cause decay. Is she drinking enough water? Be sure that if she is drinking bottled water that you buy the ones with added fluoride. What kind of toothpaste is she using? Check to be sure that the ADA recommends it because you will know that there is enough and not too much fluoride in it. My last piece of advice is to buy a fluoride rinse and using a swab place it all over her teeth before bed.
As far as using Xylitol to eliminate bacteria, a healthy mouth needs some bacteria to remain healthy. Do not do this.

HI, it sounds like you're doing the right thing. I work for a pediatric dentist, and we see it all. Some kids get cavities no matter what, but keeping on top of it, which it sounds like you are, they won't get big and out of control. The great thing is, that because they get cavities in their baby teeth, doesn't mean they'll get it in their adult teeth, and vise versa. My sister and I brushed our teeth at the same time growing up, I never had a cavity in a baby tooth, she never went to the dentist without having them, every tooth in her head was filled. And like I said, we ate the same stuff, snacked the same, brushed the same. My adult teeth came in with deap dark pits, and most ended up with fillings in my molars, mainly because my dentist was a general dentist and didnt' do sealants, otherwise, I'd be cavity free to this day. I just wanted to let you know, that a cavity doesn't always mean poor oral hygine. Good luck, and good job making sure you're getting your child taken care of sooner than later. In just a few months time, if you hadn't taken her in, she could have lost those teeth. We see it every week.

Theres a gum w/ Xylitol, I feel thats safer than any of the sugar free chemicals. I've read children under 5 shouldn't have them. I'd also ask your dentist.
A. H

My daughter has caries... here is a link to a site that helps give you all sorts of information
http://www.mothering.com/articles/growing_child/child_hea...

I use toothpase with Xylitol, we use mouthwash with xylitol and I give her gum with Xylitol as well. I am also into natural, healthy living!

L.
http://www.HealthyFamilyHome.com

hello! i have a 4 year old who has had the same issues -- we're very good about dental hygeine and she's had 2 major fillings already. my sis-in-law is our hygenist luckily!! our dentist and my sis told us that most often these types of cavities are due to the way the teeth formed/heredity...and that when the adult teeth come in, they will most likely be fine, as long as the proper hygeine is happening. i wouldn't worry too much.

Hi, K. here. That's a very young child for cavities so I understand your concern. But my dentist has made it clear that some children have very deep crevices in their teeth and unfortunately brushing isn't really effective, I know there are flouride rinses and sealants but I'm almost positive your child is too young for either of these things. You could find out when those could be started. The only other thing I'd suggest is if you don't feel your questions are being adequately answered by your current dentist maybe a switch to a new one is a good idea? It does sound to me like you are doing everything you can. Some kids do just have a tendency to cavities also, my Dad, my daughter, and I all have MANY cavities (deep crevices< and I wonder ? soft teeth?).

My breastfed toddler also had caries and I had to laugh when the dentist asked me if she slept with a bottle of milk in her mouth! We figured out that she ate dried fruit alone and in train mix, and it stuck in between her teeth, even though we brushed faithfully. She also drank more juice than they now recommend (she is 37 now). And, because she had her "nursie", she probably didn't drink as much water as some kids. My nursing toddler grandkids often have a sippy cup of water in tow and eat very little dried fruit. Flossing would help but good luck getting a toddler to let you do that! G. B.

We use xylitol all the time, but because my son can't have sugar. I learned about it from several friends who were dealing with early dental caries just like you, with good hygiene etc. There was a great Mothering issue a few years ago that was concentrated on oral health including this topic. I would go to Mothering.com and look up these articles. I had the issue, but loaned it out duh and never got it back. It was grreat! I am sure you can find it in the archives. Good Luck!

My DD pediatric dentist suggested giving her sugar free gum after every snack/meal if were are not able to brush....She said that swallowing was not a big deal. Don't give her a whole piece just a little one, you can chew the rest of it :)

Hi N. -

I think you will get a lot of differing opinions on this one - what to do and what not to do. There is great debate b/t using fluoride and not and the same with Xylitol. It is hard to tell someone what they should/shouldn't do when there is no much info out there that is contradicting. Makes it hard to decide!

I know people will probably disagree with me, but personally I don't use fluoride in tooth paste for myself or my son and I have never given water with fluroide either. After much research, I have the opposite feeling on it. I have also done a lot of research on Xylitol and have read great things about it for oral health as well as for ear infection reduction (saline nasal spray w/ Xylitol). The toothpaste we use does contain Xylitol as well. I don't think Xylitol eliminates all bacteria in the mouth, at least I have never heard that before. I think it helps to reduce tooth decay. www.xylitol.org has some good info.

WHatever you decide will be right for your family. It sounds like you are doing everything you can!

N.,
Who is your dentist? I'm looking for one that is relatively holistic.

I've been really happy to see all the ideas and all those natural parenting tips out there!