USVI-On-Line

Hi everyone - This is my first post on the off topic forum. I have been posting alot lately on the other forum as we are headed to STJ this summer with our family. Yesterday, took son to dentist. Poor kid is prone to cavities - yesterday had 8. The last time we went he had none - it seems to go in cycles - probably to give our wallet a break. Anyway he takes very good care of his teeth does all the right things but still gets cavities - Yes - does not drink soda only on occasion. The bill estimated bill yesterday is 1,500 dollars - ouch!!!! They gave him special toothpaste, he flosses, brushes in the morning and night - any other ideas.

They also said this is just probably the way his teeth are -lucky him. Our son has beautiful teeth but lousy luck with cavities - of course I was upset yesterday (no dental insurance since husband is in own business)

Thank you for letting me vent and any ideas would be appreciated.

Try a diferent dentist for a second opinon It is amaising how different they are on their dig.

have they talked to you about sealants?--(maybe he is beyond that?) it's a bit of an investment, but well worth it IMOI was a very cavity prone kid --and as a result have had to have several root canals as an adult due to aging filings...I would agree with waterguy as well--and seek another opinion

I'd check another dentist too. Sometimes the acid in your mouth makes you prone to cavities and years of dental work. I know. I'm one of them and so is my daughter.

Also, does your son grind his teeth? Is he wearing off his enamel?

Does he use a flouride (sp?) rinse after brushing? I have a daughter who is prone to cavities and that is what her dentist recommended and it seems to be working. "Act" is one brand.

My wife brought this post to my attention
I would recommend sealants and fluoride trays, teeth are probably 'soft' and fluoride toothpastes and rinses do not provide sufficient fluoride to stimulate the incorporation of calcium into the tooth enamel.
Also, is saliva flow normal?

This is a huge pet peeve issue of mine. U.S. dentists are overly aggressive in my opinion (which is one developed by years of reading and studying this issue - don't ask me why - it started actually in a work of fiction I think but then my interest was peaked when I went to NYU and found out that half the dentists in the U.S. or something crazy like that went to the NYU Dental College).

Anyway - last time I was at a U.S. dentist (6 years ago at least), they said I had five cavities and wanted to start filling them all. I never did. Have been abroad since, get my teeth cleaned once a year in the office of an award winning dental scholar - and they say I have no cavities!

Marcia - not to pick on your comment but as far as fluoride goes, I believe it is a carcinogenic and would definitely not give it to a child - there is enough in the toothpaste already. There is a ton of literature on this pro and con - but I think the fluoridation of the U.S. water supply is suspect science at best.

To the individual case - my older daughter unfortunately has what they call "soft" teeth - they did agree on that in the U.S and here in Italy. Very prone to cavities, markings, etc. The only medical explanation ever given and not a conclusive one but a guess, was that a very high mysterious fever she had as an baby (hospitalized for several days) may have damaged her enamel/tooth development at that stage. She has had the sealants done, and she practices pretty good dental hygiene, but it will probably be a life long battle. I think the facts are that some people have strong teeth, and others don't. It happens.

If you can not afford all the cavities to be filled at once (and that is a lot of chair work for a child anyway) definitely get a second opinion and/or at the least maybe only do the 2 or 3 that are in the worst shape at the moment.

What a rant by me - hit a nerve

Thanks all - Yes - He uses the ACT Mouthwash and they just game him a toothpaste called Denticious 5000 that is by prescription. The kids dentist is a pediatric dentist that we have been going to for years but after this I think I will definitely get a second opinion. I hate to even do that as I know that will cost money too! They are suppose to do two separte visits since so many cavities. Our son also has the sealants. He started early with cavities when he was five. After I am done working today I wil start calling around.

The money they charge just makes me so mad because I feel as though I am paying for their new office. Yes, I could change but really their are not that many pediatric dentists. I use to just take the kids to my dentist (I think he is expensive too!)but since prone to cavities we switched.

Ok enough of venting again - thanks for everyone's suggestions.

OK, the above has reminded again why I should not post here. I could comment on NYU's dentist mill but won't. Could also comment on confusing scientific facts on fluoride with fiction, but won't.

I will suggest that Hawaii gets an assessment of the extent of the caries that are present; are they really caries or just white spots. If the latter, they should just be monitored. If decay is present and extends into the dentin, then treatment is indicated. Also indicated might be a test for levels of cariogenic bacteria (the ones responsible for the actual caries process). Some children carry very high levels of these and something like chlorhexidine might be useful in reducing the levels.

My last post. Adieu.

UF Prof wrote:OK, the above has reminded again why I should not post here

Am I missing something? It doesn't seem there is any argument going on here, just some different opinion, no? I would love to hear your opinion on the NYU school, why not? And I want to know more about fluoride too - I am always ready to learn more, especially if I am misinformed! Please, let's hear it - you are not going to hurt my feelings with facts!

Interesting stuff and I most certainly support the consultation of another dentist, in this particular case. Here is why (it's all making sense to me now, due to this thread).

The daughter to whom I was referring earlier, is 20 years old and went to our family dentist for years. Due to some dental insurance issues and the need to have her wisdom teeth removed, she had to see a different dental group. They did "their own" cleaning and found *LOTS* of cavities. I thought that was odd, as she'd been going every 6 months to our dentist and had nothing out of the ordinary other than, yes, she is slightly more prone to cavities than other people. They filled her cavities and, at the same time, filled her head with "Your regular dentist DIDN'T SEE THESE? He must be a QUACK." I've never had a problem with our dentist. He's not an alarmist, he's geeky and thorough but I do not believe he was remiss in his finding her *cavities*. Anyway...

In the end, I was able to get her insured again with me and I took her back to our regular dentist for her 6 month check-up/cleaning. His first comment when he saw her was "Wow, you've had a LOT of work done! What happened?" She explained where she had been and why. He mostly felt sorry for her, and the ordeal she went through. Then, he gave her a whole new referral to an oral surgeon for wisdom teeth removal and everything seems to be fine.

Absolutely no evidence that fluoride is carcinogenic. NYU is a terrific dental school. As in every profession, some dentists are good, others, not so much. Find a dentist you trust and do not let your insurance company dictate what dentist you go to. Continuity of care usually results in the best outcome. Head to the hills from a dentist who calls another dentist a "quack". Good dental care is one of the best investments you can make. Sugar is a major culprit and is hidden in a lot of modern, processed foods. Plaque is the other offender. Fluoride supplementation is valuable. Ask about MI Paste.

Hawaii - I have a great dentist I would recomment in Silverdale. If your interested, PM me and I'll give you his name and number.