My nephew didnt have much tooth enamel on his teeth and this lead to tooth decay at 4 41/2.  What was the cuse that while in utro his mum had a very bad flu given recommened medicine. Teeth were developing at that time.  Another relative of mine had a medical condition and his teeth roated away in front of his parents.  Dentist said nothing they could do he needed medicine to help him live however caused another major problem.  May be this is what happened? Should see a dentist and explain past illinesses if dont like that ones response find another.  First point of call is always local famly doctor for recommendation of a kid friendly dentist. Good luck.

My 10 year old son has never eaten sweets, he doesn't drink anything but water.  He isn't deprived of these things, he just doesn't like them.  He started going to the dentist at 5, just to get use to it.  When he was 7, he had to have 5 fillings!  He has always brushed his teeth and looked after them, I was so shocked.  I have no idea why or how this happened, I believe it could perhaps be a genetic thing.  My son was also terrified of the doctor and more so the dentist, but it is a comfort thing with him and he is fine now.

Don't be too hard on yourself! We brush my 3 year old daughters teeth twice and day and have since she got teeth and we noticed recently a tooth that did not look too good.

I had to go to the dentist so we made a double appointment. I rang the dentist first (find one that is good with kids, ours is a lady with young kids) and she assured me that just to get them to the dentist is a start. They have a little ride in the chair, the dentist 'counts' their teeth and they then get a new toothbrush.

At first she wouldn't open her mouth so I went first, a much better idea! She was watching really closely and I have to confess that it was kinda hard to pretend it was 'fun' with all the scraping going on...I made a concerted effort to keep my hands unclenched!

She then got in the chair and opened her mouth. There is a cavity there. Basically the deal is it has to be sorted i.e filled. Because of the age there are two choices......The dentists prefernce is to go and have day surgery, have a genreal and get it done. Makes for a very VERY expensive tooth!

The option we chose to go for is she applied something to the tooth, it stops a certain amount of decay, it doesn't fix it but it buys you 6 months and a bit of maturity time for the kids.

After 6 months you end up with the same choices I am guessing. In our situation I can honestly tell you that at 3.5 yrs there is no way known my daughter will be able to go with the filling in the chair...so we are simply heading to the day surgery more than likely.

Hope our little story helps, was interested in what you said about antibiotics though...interesting!

Oh the dentist also said to me that do not worry about the cavity that some kids are born with 'pits' in their teeth. She never went on to explain but I presume these teeth are predisposed to cavities...

So don't worry! We brushed twice a day for two years and we got a child with a cavity. I cringed when I got to the dentist but am now at least relieved we have taken her to get it seen anyway!

Good Luck!

Hi anon

New research links amoxicillin, an antibiotic commonly used to treat babies' ear infections, to tooth enamel problems.  One of the most widely used pediatric antibiotics, Amoxil (amoxicillin), may interfere with the complete development of tooth enamel, researchers here say.

My daughter was on alot of antibiotics, these didnn't effect her teeth. It turned out that her teeth don't fully form properly, so intstead of a yearly trip to the dentist we have to visit 2 or 3 times a year to have them checked. The dentist we saw at first said we were giving her to much sweet stuff, this i new wasn't right and after a second opinion, found out that she doesn't get a coating on her teeth. Get a secong opinion if needed. If the front teeth are no good, act fast as the second teeth can be effected by the first. The gums need looking after to for any further traetment needed.

Cheers

 My son had a tooth come through half yellow and half white, our doctor talk me it was because he was on antibotics when a tooth was coming through...there was no mention of antibotics causing tooth decay.

You will find most dentists know how to put children at ease with what is going on.

A good way to avoid tooth decay because of medicines being administered is to give them in a syringe.  Usually they are more accurate to measure with & the medicine goes straight down their throat, not all over their teeth and gums.  Jaydee has been administering his own since he was about 6mths old, (panadol etc).  Whenever possible ask for medicines that don't have added sugar or things that will cause tooth decay.

Ensure that you brush your babies/toddlers/kids teeth thoroughly at least twice a day, if not after each meal, as well as after they drink milk or juice.  Let them have a turn as well, however ensure that the backs of teeth and back teeth are cleaned well, kids tend to do the front, then chew on the brush LOL!  Talk about going to the dentist, read books about it, show him pictures, make it fun!  Practice looking inside his mouth and being a dentist, so that when he goes, he is comfortable with the whole idea.

My four year old has a couple of teeth with cavities, it shocked me because she does not have candy or sweets very often, she brushes and flosses regularly....Then I got to thinking, she drinks a lot of juice and eats lots of fruit....could these be the culprit?

We took her to the dentist and he said yes, it was most likely the acid from the juice and sugar from the fruits...

this is not really a answer for your question.but something I am experiencing something similar to you.my toddler  has got some sort of stains(blackish) on his most teeth.even though he didn't have to have any antibiobicts.but he had some ventolin syrup for his wheezing speciallly when he has cold.so it's beibg always back of my mind,this could be the reason.anyway I took him to his GP to clarify that.according to her,it's not the reason and also she has no idea what is the reason.but she said to me there is nothing to worry what so ever.beacuse they are only baby teeth.but I am not satisfied yet.I just want to know what is that happen? I will take him to the dentist soon. I am doing research about that.hopefully I will come up with some info..

Hi

It's the antibiotics that has caused the enamel on the teeth to wear away, it happened to my daughter and a friend of mine- both out kids were on antibiotics every 4-6 wks with ear infections.  I think if the Dr's told us the tradeoff of no grommits would be a lifetime of weak teeth - I would have taken the grommits!  Enquire about using tooth moose and if your son is old enough to have some sort of protective coating put on his teeth.  I have a sneaking suspicion the antibiotics cause adult teeth to be weak as well.  Don't worry, it's nothing you've done, you have not been remiss in your parenting duties!