Best option for 4 year old boy

[my3reasonsy]

My 4 yr old son was refered to pediatric dentist by our family dentist.  Our fd did not take x-rays, but did see a couple of cavities via video pictures(?).  The PD did x-rays and found 8 cavities.  One tooth needs to be pulled out as it is infected and 1 or 2 others need to have crowns put on them.  The others need fillings. She has given me a few options.  Her preference  is in/out surgery, she says it will be easier to get this done and will not cause any trauma to my son.  Next option is laughing gas. She is not fond of this as she says it doesn't work for all children, and it can cause the child to become angry.  Lastly, what she really doesn't want to do is in office sedation.  She said it is good that my son doesn't have between teeth cavities.  I asked her to show the x-rays to our fd and get his opinion. I've not heard from him yet. Only the tooth that needs to be pulled is bothering my son, and only when I brush his teeth. BTW I have always brushed his teeth at least 2 times a day, but he does eat too much hard candy.  I don't like the idea of using anesthesia, unless it's absolutely necessary. One tooth must come out and two need the crowns, but I'm hesitant about the others.  Two are front teeth and very tiny cavities. Is it alway necessary to fill baby teeth, if they are not hurting or infected?  She says the cavities could cause damage to the adult teeth, if so how? Why not wait til he's older to fill them?  No antibiotic was given, does he need one for the infected tooth? Which option seems most apropriate? Thank you for taking my question.

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

I think considering the extent of the work i would choose the hospital setting. I would follow her directions and if she feels the cavities need to be done get them done at one time. I also think you must curtail the amount of sugar intake especially the candies that remain in the mouth for long periods of time.

[ally'smommy]

MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IS IN A SIMILAR PREDICIMENT. SHE HAS ONE MEDIUM CAVITY THAT THE PD SAYS NEEDS A CROWN AND A TINY CAVITY THAT NEEDS FILLING.  WE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, INCLUDING ORAL SEDATION TO NO AVAIL TO FIX HER TEETH. SHE IS TOO SCARED. THEY WANT TO DO AN OUT PATIENT SURGERY BUT, I SIMPLY CAN NOT AFFORD IT.  MY INSURANCE SUCKS AND IT WOULD COST US AROUND $2000.00.  I AM NOT SAYING THAT MY DAUGHTER IS NOT WORTH IT BUT, IT JUST SEEMS OUT THERE FOR BABY TEETH.  I THINK SOME DENT. WOULD RATHER IT COST YOU MORE TO GIVE THEM THE PLEASURE OF WORKING ON A PERFECT PATIENT?!

[my3reasonsy]

Hi.  Sorry to hear you are going through a similar situation as mine.  I have decided to have the surgery done.  I don't know the cost of the surgery and I'm not sure how much, if any, my health insurance covers.  If it doesn't cover the surgery and the expense is really high, I may have to go another route.  As much dental work that my son needs, the surgery does seem to be the best option.  He did ok at his appointment, but I don't think he would sit still long enough to get the majority of work done and I don't think he would want to keep going back.  It would take several appointments if done in office.  I also wondered about these just being baby teeth, but my family dentist, who is also a friend, said the cavities could cause further problems to the adult teeth coming in. It's scary to think about my son having this done, but I don't want him to remember what all the dentist does and hopefully he won't have any fears about going back for check-ups.  I think if I were in your situation I would probably try to find a different dentist or maybe get a second opinion.  Good luck!

[robinnnnn]

man that sux for them to have to go throgh all that i am very hard on my son cause bad teeth run inmy family but its only beenteh women onmy dad s side so far, but i was a culprit to inherit it also so. but i feel so bad for yal and them, i am a nervous wreck when time for my son to get his teeth cleaned,.

[Trialanderror]

I hope all is well with your son now. Had I read your post in March, I could have given you a first hand report of the same situation with my son. Same number of cavities, similar age, similar causes. I followed the advice to have my son`s molars fixed under full anaesthesia in the hospital. None had to be pulled but the drilling would have been completely unmanageable in our regular dentist office. It takes easily an hour or two. Even though that day was a troublesome event in my son`s life and cost as much as an engine repair, it was the smartest thing to do: in his eyes our regular dentist is still the "good guy" who just helps him to clean his teeth and without any caries there is no further infection of teeth now. It is the bacteria striving in baby teeth that could endanger the permanent teeth.
As an infant and toddler, my son was with a babysitter who kissed all children on the mouth as a sign of affection and also taught them to prefer juice over water for "extra vitamin C". Out of the group of 5 kids, three ended up with major tooth decay by age 4. I had avoided any saliva transmission since he was born, aware of bacteria, sugar and improper brushing being the risk factors. Well, so much for that. But it is never too late to change behaviour and routines, it just takes some patience. All the best.