Should we go to the dentist? - Update in replies

[karinothing]

When I was brushing DS teeth the other day I noticed i teeny tiny black mark, like it is seriously the size of a pinhead on his first molar on his bottom row. It doesn't hurt, I brush and brush it but it doesn't go away. We just went to the dentist less than 2 months ago and no issues then. Do you think we should go back in?

I am going to be freaken POd if it is a cavity I brush his teeth really well, he doesn't do juice and rarely does sweets (and if he does, he brushes his teeth right after). It doesn't hurt him.

ETA: I am a bit of a freak about teeth hygeine. I am 32 and never had a cavity lol. We have an electronic tooth brush too, so I think we are doing a good job!

[karinothing]

I am going to be super annoyed because I am 99% sure insurance won't cover this visit since we were just there in January.


ETA: FU should I take him like tomorrow/monday or do you think I can wait till we get back from vacation (we get back on the 24th).

[karinothing]

Mar 12, 2015 12:41:01 GMT -5 @cookiemonster03 said:

You can wait.

They'll probably cover at least a portion as a consultation.

Also - Although knowing me it will drive me crazy so I would rather just go in lol. Seriously though, he had xrays last time. Can you really go from nothing to a hole in your tooth that quickly?

ETA: Although I guess you said it happened to your daughter. Blah.

[Ashley&Scott]

It is an actual hole or just discoloring?

[karinothing]

Mar 12, 2015 12:43:17 GMT -5 Ashley&Scott said:

It is an actual hole or just discoloring?

Honestly I can't tell? It is SUPER tiny, I mean it doesn't look like a whole and it is not dark black (maybe more brown?). If there any tip to figuring out if it is a hole vs. just discoloring? I don't have one of those dentist poker things obviously ha. I can try picking at it with my fingernail and see what happens (although he is not that pleased that I am investigating it at all )

[Ashley&Scott]

Hmm, I'm not sure how you would tell. M hates it when I look in his mouth too. I would probably take him in just to ease your mind.

Paging caramia17 to see what she thinks.

[karinothing]

Ok since i am a paranoid mess we now have a dentist appt for 8am Saturday ha ha. I am sure DS is going to love me for this. At least she said it would be quick!

[InBetweenDays]

I would probably go. If it is a cavity and they catch it earlier I think it can be easier to deal with.

And I understand your frustration but I truly think cavities are as much about genetics as they are about hygiene. I have never had a cavity - neither have my brother or my sister. DD (8.5) has had 3 already. I don't think she has any worse hygiene or eating habits than I did as a kid. I just got lucky with tough teeth.

[karinothing]

When I talked to the lady at the dentist office on the phone, she seemed to suggest it was very unlikely it was anothing since he just had xrays done, but we shall see. I am hoping she is right!

[caramia17]

Don't poke anything. You can create a cavitated lesion in an area that can be remineralized otherwise. Let your dentist take a peek. Do you see a pediatric dentist?

Depending on where the lesion is, you can absolutely not see it on radiographs. It is on the biting surface of the tooth? Those are very unlikely to be seen on a radiograph and, most likely, the most dependent upon anatomy (fissures/grooves) versus oral hygiene levels.

Your dentist can advise you on what the next step(s) should be and may recommend sealants if anatomy is a problem.

I am sorry that your kiddo is having a problem. Good luck!

[karinothing]

Mar 12, 2015 12:58:40 GMT -5 caramia17 said:

Don't poke anything. You can create a cavitated lesion in an area that can be remineralized otherwise. Let your dentist take a peek. Do you see a pediatric dentist?

Depending on where the lesion is, you can absolutely not see it on radiographs. It is on the biting surface of the tooth? Those are very unlikely to be seen on a radiograph and, most likely, the most dependent upon anatomy (fissures/grooves) versus oral hygiene levels.

Your dentist can advise you on what the next step(s) should be and may recommend sealants if anatomy is a problem.

I am sorry that your kiddo is having a problem. Good luck!

Thanks for responding. We do see a pediatric dentist and yes, it is on the biting surface of the tooth. Is there anything else it could be besides decay? Is it possible to just have some random discoloration that isn't bad?

[bunch]

Mar 12, 2015 13:00:22 GMT -5 karinothing said:

Mar 12, 2015 12:58:40 GMT -5 caramia17 said:

Don't poke anything. You can create a cavitated lesion in an area that can be remineralized otherwise. Let your dentist take a peek. Do you see a pediatric dentist?

Depending on where the lesion is, you can absolutely not see it on radiographs. It is on the biting surface of the tooth? Those are very unlikely to be seen on a radiograph and, most likely, the most dependent upon anatomy (fissures/grooves) versus oral hygiene levels.

Your dentist can advise you on what the next step(s) should be and may recommend sealants if anatomy is a problem.

I am sorry that your kiddo is having a problem. Good luck!

Thanks for responding. We do see a pediatric dentist and yes, it is on the biting surface of the tooth. Is there anything else it could be besides decay? Is it possible to just have some random discoloration that isn't bad?

I am no dentist, but dd1 has very deep grooves on the top of her molars and at least one spot with discoloration.   We saw two different pediatric dentists to look at it.   The first wanted to go ahead and fill, the second said that we'd just watch it and that there was no decay.  I also have deep grooves and have had a similar experience with a few of my teeth.

[caramia17]

Mar 12, 2015 13:00:22 GMT -5 karinothing said:

Mar 12, 2015 12:58:40 GMT -5 caramia17 said:

Don't poke anything. You can create a cavitated lesion in an area that can be remineralized otherwise. Let your dentist take a peek. Do you see a pediatric dentist?

Depending on where the lesion is, you can absolutely not see it on radiographs. It is on the biting surface of the tooth? Those are very unlikely to be seen on a radiograph and, most likely, the most dependent upon anatomy (fissures/grooves) versus oral hygiene levels.

Your dentist can advise you on what the next step(s) should be and may recommend sealants if anatomy is a problem.

I am sorry that your kiddo is having a problem. Good luck!

Thanks for responding. We do see a pediatric dentist and yes, it is on the biting surface of the tooth. Is there anything else it could be besides decay? Is it possible to just have some random discoloration that isn't bad?

Absolutely could be something else, but the discoloration is a sign that there is something going on--stained dentin (underlayer of the tooth), deep/incomplete fissures/pits, etc. and your dentist may want to do a sealant or something called a PRR (preventative resin restoration). These are both very minimal interventions/prophylactic treatments that can prevent much bigger problems down the line.

I am glad that you are getting in. A pediatric dentist is great for this because they are so adept at behavior management and can make it as good of an experience for your DS as possible. I am so glad that he has a dental home and has already been to the dentist.

Best!

[karinothing]

Mar 12, 2015 13:12:52 GMT -5 bunch said:

Mar 12, 2015 13:00:22 GMT -5 karinothing said:

Thanks for responding. We do see a pediatric dentist and yes, it is on the biting surface of the tooth. Is there anything else it could be besides decay? Is it possible to just have some random discoloration that isn't bad?

I am no dentist, but dd1 has very deep grooves on the top of her molars and at least one spot with discoloration.   We saw two different pediatric dentists to look at it.   The first wanted to go ahead and fill, the second said that we'd just watch it and that there was no decay.  I also have deep grooves and have had a similar experience with a few of my teeth.

Thanks, the lady mentioned on the phone that if it was something and it was small, they would just put a watch on it. So hopefully that is the case!

[karinothing]

Mar 12, 2015 13:15:22 GMT -5 caramia17 said:

Mar 12, 2015 13:00:22 GMT -5 karinothing said:

Thanks for responding. We do see a pediatric dentist and yes, it is on the biting surface of the tooth. Is there anything else it could be besides decay? Is it possible to just have some random discoloration that isn't bad?

Absolutely could be something else, but the discoloration is a sign that there is something going on--stained dentin (underlayer of the tooth), deep/incomplete fissures/pits, etc. and your dentist may want to do a sealant or something called a PRR (preventative resin restoration). These are both very minimal interventions/prophylactic treatments that can prevent much bigger problems down the line.

I am glad that you are getting in. A pediatric dentist is great for this because they are so adept at behavior management and can make it as good of an experience for your DS as possible. I am so glad that he has a dental home and has already been to the dentist.

Best!

Ha ha thanks. We have been going to the dentist with him every 6 months since he was 1 yr. So he is pretty used to them (although will still probably not want to see one at 8am on a Saturday!). He behaves really well so far at the dentist (he just watches paw patrol lol).

I will have to update on Satuday to let you know. Thanks for the advice.

[auntie]

I'd take him back.

DS had some wonky enamel on his one molar; he ended up getting a good-sized cavity in the space of 6 weeks between his last cleaning/check up when he was about 4-ish.

[karinothing]

Well we went to the dentist this morning. She looked at it and said she is 99% sure it isn't a cavity, it looks like either something is stuck in the groove or a little bit of staining. She tried to get it out with the pick, but DS wasn't too happy about that and was kind of squirmy so she didn't want to mess with it too much. So she said to just keep an eye on it and keep brushing well, so that is what we are going to do!

caramia17

[auntie]

Best possible outcome.