child's teeth in terrible state - what to do?

[chipstick]

Can anyone please ofer help or advise me, my daughter is now 12, and her teeth are in a terrible state, most of them at the front have rotted and broken off, i just dont know what to do, it started when she was 5 and fell off her bike and smashed her front teeth, we had to take her to hospital and she didnt have a good experience with the doctor there, i think that is were the problems started. At 8 she had to go to a dental hospital and have 12 teeth out, 4 were adult teeth, she had chicken pox as a small baby and apparently this can effect the strenght of the teeth, since then i cant get her to do any thing we have had appointments at liverpool dental hospital, so she could be put to sleep and her teeth sorted but she just refuses when we get there as she is so scared, she is no longer on there records as this was 18 months ago, please please can some one help as am atmy wits end, and dont know what to do, she is in pain and this effects her eating, thank you.

 

[Gordon]

Re: childs teeth

Not a lot you can do, under UK law a mature 12 year old counts as an adult so far as giving or witholding her consent for treatment, so if she declines to be treated she has a right to do so.

It might be wise to try to modify her diet drastically. Sounds like she has a very high sugar/high acid diet, cut out all the fizzy drinks and at least her teeth will stabilise a bit. Cut out snacks between meals and personally supervise her tooth brushing. Make sure she spends at least 2 mins day and night brushing her teeth.

Your GP might be able to arrange a referral to a child psychologist who might be able to help her with her fear.

 

[Issy]

Re: childs teeth

Maybe finding a Dentist which specialises in Children, will help ?

 

[chipstick]

Re: childs teeth

thank you, will try the GP option, as her teeth are that bad, its a battle to geet her to clean them properly, they are sore and bleed, i have tried to get a dentist in this area but so far no luck, will keep trying.

 

[lanniesmith]

Re: childs teeth

Hi chipstick
I work for birmingham children's hospital where i deal with many children like your daughter. I do have to firstly agree with gordon that you need to get to the bottom of what's causing the decay it would be worth getting your daughter to fill out a diet sheet as truthfully as possible listing everything she eats and drinks during the day and at what time this will identify where the sugar is coming from. I can send you some information that i have put together on tooth decay and how to help if you dont mind giving me your email address. this may help.

As far as the anxiety is concerned every area has a comunity dental service who should be able to help as they will often provide sedation etc. Your GP should be able to make a referal although be warned it can take a while for an appointment to come through. I know even getting your daughter to go to the dentist will be a struggle but if she knows she is going to a specialist it may help put her mind at rest. You need to sit down and try and find out exactly why she is afraid and what she wants to be done about it.
Give her the control it will help.

Otherwise she may get a benifit from reading this website and seeing that she isn't alone.

 

[chipstick]

Re: childs teeth

going to make her appointment at doctors this week, and try get things started, she does not have a good diet, [email protected] is my email any advise or help would be wonderful, thank you