Dental advice urgently required for 6 year old child

[*jobags*]

Hi - can anyone advise me

My son is 6 and last night I noticed that his adult teeth are growing behind his baby teeth at the bottom (the two front teeth) - I don't know how I missed it because they are now almost as big as his baby teeth but just growing behind them

I rang his dentist today for an urgent appointment and the earliest I could get is the 10th December. The problem is we're off on holiday on 5th December and will be away until 12th January (Cape Town) so that's not really much help

He has a dental out patients appointment on 20th January at Great Ormond Street where he has previously had extractions (he has had extensive heart surgery) and is on 6 monthly follow up.

Would this be OK to leave until 20th January or should we arrange to see a dentist in Cape Town?

Jo

[linni]

My son had the same problem and food used to get stuck between the two sets of teeth. The dentist told me they would come out on their own in the next few weeks. I was really worried and I didn't believe him! He was right, they came out soon enough. When he was older he had a few teeth removed (because his mouth was quite small!) and after braces, his teeth look great. Don't worry too much and I hope it will turn out ok.

[oystercatcher]

My son had this problem too, some of his baby teeth came out on their own but he did have to have a couple extracted. They wanted to put him in an orthodontic brace but he decided he didn't want one. His teeth are fine now (he's 19) not quite straight but nothing terrible.

As your son has had previous cardiac problems I would be inclined to phone GOS and explain what has happened and check that they think it is OK to wait.

Oystercatcher

[Toothsmith]

Not unusual, and should be fine.

Worth just asking your dental practice to give you a ring if they get a cancellation though, just to be absolutely sure.

[*jobags*]

As your son has had previous cardiac problems I would be inclined to phone GOS and explain what has happened and check that they think it is OK to wait.

Oystercatcher

Now why didn't I think of that?
I suppose I am always so grateful for everything they did for my boy and essentially pulling him back from an almost certain death that I am reluctant to just ring them for advice in case they are busy doing the same with other kids.

I'll also ring the dentist as advised by Toothsmith

I am worried that food will get stuck in the gap and his teeth will start rotting before they even get going!

Thanks to all who contributed for the very helpful advice and re assurance.

Jo

[Toothsmith]

That shouldn't happen in such a short space of time.

Encourage him to get wobbling the baby teeth in front. I'm sure they'll be a little bit loose now anyway.

[*jobags*]

Many thanks T/S

I had a quick poke tonight and lower right 1 is indeed wobbly

Hubby has started him flossing - is that a good idea or is it best avoided? - I don't want to trigger endocarditis

Me and DH have become serious flossers in the last few years - but not sure what is a good age to get the kids going ( we also have twins aged 21 months)

In the last 10 years I've spent around £9K on my teeth (crowns and veneers) and I cetainly don't want my kids to have to spend that much

If you don't mind can I ask 1 more question???

We give Sam Robinsons "no added sugar" squash - are we kidding ourselves?

If so what is the alternative? - he's not a great water drinker and we need to keep him well hydrated in order to reduce te cardiac effort

Jo

[Toothsmith]

Endocarditis is not considered a risk from any dental proceedure now. We don't have to give antibiotic cover anymore, and the guidelines are now written in such a way that giving antibiotics is now frowned upon.

Six probably is a bit young to do any good with flossing, but I wouldn't want to discourage forming good habits.

As for the juice, there are obviously more concerns here than just dental ones.

The only 'safe' drinks are milk and water though. Everything else will have some detrimental effect on the teeth - either through the sugar, or just the fact that the drink is acidic.

In general, keep acid attacks to a minimum (so combine acidy drinks with mealtimes). Don't brush the teeth within 30 mins of an acid attack, use a small pea size amount of fluoride toothpaste when brushing teeth, and don't rinse out the toothpaste afterwards.