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Devastated

forever_rose wrote:

So I just came back from taking my little guy to his first pediatric dentist appointment... Ever since he started getting teeth, I noticed the ones on top were rough and quite dark. I did some research and came upon this condition called "enamel hypoplasia " which basically means weakening of /erosion tooth enamel that leads to decaying etc. The dentist confirmed my findings and took an x-Ray to see how far advanced it is to give us treatment options. Apparently, it's so bad that what's remaining is so brittle that crowns won't adhere to the teeth. He recommends extracting his 4 front top teeth and 6 months later putting in an implant. The cause of this stems from in utero, when I had gestational diabetes. What has made it worse is frequent night feedings as we still co-sleep. So, in order not to affect his remaining teeth, I need to stop night feeding asap. My God, I have no idea how I'm gonna do it. My little guy feeds all night long and screams and slaps me when I try not to. His crying and distress tears me apart. Plus he has a dairy allergy and isn't the greatest with solids..........The thought of the procedure and recovery is breaking my heart. I've been crying non stop. This is already causing tension between my husband and I as he's said I'm gonna have to toughen up and stop night feeding. ...and then the dreaded judgement and critique of my know it all MIL......... I just had to run upstairs by myself while my little guy stays with his dad for a bit. I can't let him see me like this...... I know things could be worse but this feels pretty bad.... I just needed to get this off my chest....

That breaks my heart for you! I'm so sorry you're going through that. Try to be upfront with your hubby that you're so distressed about this and to spare you the lecture and be supportive. Your mil can shove it, IMO. It's going to be a lot of transition very quickly for you guys, I will send prayers your way!

Get a second opinion. We were told the same thing. Dr wanted to knock her out on the office for 2 hours to crown the top teeth. I said no way, found another dentist who was current on BFing research too and she said start brushing teeth more frequently, and we would recheck in 3 months. Well, we are brushing teeth twice a day and letting LO chewy on the tooth brush while hanging out in her high hair at least twice a day and I can't even tell you the difference it has made. It's been 6 weeks and the brown is completely gone! Pediatrician looked at them this week and said they looked great, and either way would not recommend doing anything with her teeth before two unless she were to fall and break one. I did tons of reading on it and it is split down the middle as to whether doing anything to the baby teeth helps in the long run. As far as nursing at night, just wipe Los teeth with a wet cloth when he's done, when possible. The second dentist told us that BM will NOT cause these problems that the milk has anti cavity bacteria in it. Everything I've read on BFibg research says the same. Get a second opinion and if you have to do it, request that it be done in a hospital. In my city they can do it in the office but if I go to Orlando, it has to be by law, a hospital procedure if baby is under three. That speaks volumes to je if it's a law in a huge place like Orlando. I think there are many dentists who now push this on parents of little ones. I know out of my five friends with babies under 3, 4 have were told to crown teeth. All got second opinions and are cleaning and rechecking until the age of 2. Good luck!

I just thought of a couple other things! I told my husband that the breastfeeding made my hormones overactive and that it would be really helpful if he took sympathy to my frequent tears. He has always been so great at that.

Also, quitting breastfeeding might go easier than you think. I think I missed it more than my LO did!

So sorry to hear of your troubles! I can only imagine the anxiety your feeling to make such a major change. Like previous poster suggested, maybe you should get a second opinion just in case. It couldn't hurt!

R

Reby11

I agree with a PP to get a second opinion. Why not? But I would cut the night feeds regardless. He doesn't need to feed all night long and will never learn how to sleep through the night on his own that way. Sometimes things happen for a reason.

I'm so sorry for you and LO. My fed baby bed shares and nurses all night looong. I understand how you feel. It's the only way we get any sleep. Any way I wanted to let you know about my now 5 yr old dd. her front 4 teeth were the very same way. I felt terrible. I waited until she was 2 to have the extraction. It was done in a pediatric dental office and she was iv sedated. It took longer than expected because after the removed her teeth she had an abscess so lots of bleeding. It was caused from the decay. Brushing multiple times unfortunately didn't help her teeth. I did not choose implants for her front teeth because their little mouths grow quickly and they are pricey. This was 3 yrs ago. Dd still is missing those teeth and we haven't had any problems until this last visit to the dentist. 2 cavities. I was so disappointed but she will have them filled and we continue to brush multiple times a day and no chewy sweets! Good luck with what you decide. I did get 2 opinions and it was the same out come.

C

Csofield

I'm so sorry but hope this gives you comfort for the future.

My little sister had this exact condition due to medication my mother took while pregnant and had the same procedure you explained. She wore her tiny bridge until her adult teeth started coming in then it was removed. Her adult teeth were perfect and she's had no issues since in terms of emnamal or alignment.

I sadly have no advice for your night feeding issue other than try your best, it's going to be hard but if can help his teeth it might just be worth it. Also a second opinion never hurt anyone!

Ladies, thank you all for your kind words, suggestions and sharing your stories. I read ever word and suggestion and will certainly ponder....Last night was the first night of night weaning.. He cried in my arms while I sang and rocked him to sleep, then he woke up every hour and a half crying the hardest I've ever heard him. It was hard....really hard. The next will will be a trying time for our little family. I guess having a second opinion never hurts but the dentist seemed quite logical and thorough. He explained the x-Ray results to us and showed the enamel chipping off the teeth before our eyes. He said this kind of decay happens very quickly and exposes the root and causes infection / abscess that can be quite serious. He said we need to do this asap. The thought of all this is killing me. We tried to do everything to make our little guy have the happiest, best quality life. We brushed his teeth twice daily. The only liquids he ever has are breast milk and water. Oh, and on the days he has cereal for breakfast, a little almond milk since he has a dairy allergy. I thought this only happened due to poor oral hygiene. I was so wrong. Anyhow, thank you all again. The words of support mean a lot to me...

I'm so sorry to hear that :( I would be devastated if I found that out too.

my LO co sleeps with me too because he is a bad sleeper and I too breast feed him trough the night. I'm trying to stop now but I understand how hard it is. Stay strong and see if DH will sleep with him through the night to make it easier on you and lo. I find if my LO sleeps with DH alone he is fine with the dummy and goes back to sleep.

I am sorry to hear this but if it makes you feel better, I am a dentist and see the occasional child with no front teeth. They either had a case like yours, baby bottle caries, or an accident that traumatized them. I read some of the comments and I do not feel like waiting and watching will do anything but make the problem worse. I've seen too many children end up with very large Infections due to an abscessed tooth. If you have to night feed, just make sure you brush off his teeth after with either a toothbrush or a washcloth. Although it's better than cows milk or formula for dentition, breast milk still has sugar and if left On The teeth can cause cavities. Lastly, can you explain the implants on a baby? I have never heard of such a thing!! We do them on adults all of the time but on a growing child seems odd. Unless they are something totally different than adult implants. Thanks and good luck!

thank you for taking the time to respond and for your professional opinion. Although, the situation is awful, it helps with the denial and double guessing I find myself doing right now ... I didn't know the precise name of what the dentist showed us. Basically, it's an appliance of 4 false front teeth with a wire that cements/attaches to his back teeth, which have yet to come through. Sorry for the confusion. I was in so much shock and my little guy was screaming during the examination, that the exact lingo the dentist used was lost on me... While I'm here, I do have a question for you, if that's ok... I've been unable to sleep at night worrying about the procedure itself. My dentist recommend local freezing for this Rather than risking general anesthetic. My little guy freaks out when being restrained in any manor... I'm afraid he is going to be traumatized by the blood, the sounds and pulling sensations etc... Do the extractions tend to take a long time? Also, will I still be able to nurse him? I appreciate your help.

thanks mama. That's a good suggestion. Yes, it's sooooo hard. Last night he woke up 6 times reaching for me to feed him. He cried and cried while I denied and consoled him. A big part of me wishes I had to do this a long time ago, only because of how it's added to his dental problem.

I spoke to my friend who is a pediatric dentist and she said that he probably recommended a pedo partial but she said don't expect that in 6 months. Those cant be used until their second molars come in and they are cooperative enough for impressions. But I think they are strictly for esthetics. The extractions will only take about 10 minutes. Could be done under local anesthetic but would definitely need a papoose board to restrain him. General anesthetic would be perfectly safe too. Totally up to you. As far as nursing, you should be fine but he may end up being too sore for it. Hope that helps!

You don't know what you're talking about. Her dentist is correct about breast milk. Implants are the way to go at this age and make sure your water has fluoride. The baby should also have fluoride varnish applied every 3 months on remaining teeth.

A

AMJ2206

I'm currently taking night feedings out. I haven't slept for 3 nights but I'm determined to teach this child to sleep without the feedings. Nothing last forever remember that. One night I took the first half and hubby the second. He fell asleep with hubby because he wasn't expecting to be breastfed. I'm hoping tonight he would help again but that was on his day off so we'll see.

Stopping night nursing honestly may not be that bad. I promise! My baby LOVED the freaking boob and i DREADING stopping but it wasn't that bad. Daddy put her to bed every night with a sippy and a book. As far as that procedure, I wouldn't. I'd get a second opinion.

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