Cavities in 3-year-old?

My 3-year-old just had cavities filled 2 weeks ago. We went to a pediatric dentist. His teeth are very rough where she filled the cavities. The fillings are not smooth against his teeth. Is this normal? Also, is there anything else I can do to prevent more cavities. We started brushing his teeth when his first tooth came in, he never went to sleep with a bottle, we don't let him eat a lot of sweets, and always brush his teeth twice a day. I feel awful that he has cavities at only 3, but I don't know what else to do to help prevent them. I have even used "Agent Blue" to help show the plaque, so I know I'm getting them clean when we brush. Does genetics have anything to do with it? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cavities in 3-year-old?
You may need to make another appointment to have the fillings smoothed out. They are supposed to be smooth but it's hard to tell when the patient is numb and they can't necessarily feel their teeth. I would definitely reccomend having sealants placed on his teeth...this will prevent new cavities from forming. Genetics do play a part in oral hygiene so it's not like you're doing a bad job. Sounds like you're doing all the right things. Just keep teaching him the importance of good oral hygiene and how to brush and floss correctly. It's all you can really do. Definitely check on getting those sealants though. They really help.
Reply:Have you discussed all this with your dentist? It sounds like you are doing everything right. I have never heard of this happening. Did the dentist use fluoride to prevent further cavities? It is important to do regular checkups even though these are baby teeth, eventually the permanent teeth will come in, but to make sure the permanent teeth are healthy the baby teeth must be monitered regularly.
Reply:I had the same problem when I was a kid. I brush every time after I eat a meal or something sweet but I get cavities all the time. When I was smaller my parents asked my dentist if I was brushing right or not, and he said that I was doing it right.


My brothers don't have cavities as much as I do and their teeth are great but mine aren't. My cousins and aunts on my mother's side have the same problem. So I always thought it is genetic.
Reply:this rufness lonly made bige probleme because it make every thing he eat will stagnated to tooth surface so increase the possibility of tooth decay,so must be removed any ruffness %26amp;tooth become smooth.this done in dental clinc,for prevention further other caries theres other way specially for child which called in dentistry (pit%26amp;fissure sealling)that by dentist do small tooth surface scrub %26amp;filling with special white material special for this way %26amp;he do that just when tooth eruption,yes if u ask about genetics they have relation like other things
Reply:If it bothers him to chew or bite down, then


see your dentist to smooth out the roughness- he should do that at no charge. As a previous posted mentioned, its hard to be sure how smooth the filling is on a child.





The 3 things you can do to help keep cavities to a minimum:


1. Healthy Diet


2. Brush and Floss


3. See you dentist 2x a year.





One of the biggest contributers to childhood cavities is juice, especially in a sippy cup or bottle. Every time it is reintroduced into the mouth, its like a power surge for the bacteria. It's almost better to sit and eat a lollipop and brush after, that it is to nurse a cup/bottle of juice over hours.


Also, check to see if your childs water is fluoridated, and if it is, that he is drinking the water, or things that are made with the water. If no, he should be taking a fluoride supplement.





Brushing and flossing- at 3 you should be "helping" him by brushing after he is done to make sure he got all of his teeth.


They also have some fun flossers to help kids want to floss.





A child should see a dentist for his first regular appt betweem 2-3, but can be seen before then, if you suspect a problem. As you know now, kids can get cavities as soon as they are erupted. My Dr. takes children to the hospital to repair their teeth under general anesthesia due to the sheer number and severity of cavities, in children as young as 1 year. It is a tragedy in this county that so many youngsters suffer from dental problems because of the misconception that "they are JUST baby teeth". Some of these baby teeth dont fall out till they are 12, can if left untreated could result in root canals and crowns.





Even if you follow those 3 guildlines, there is still no guarantee that you/your child will be cavity free, but you greatly reduce the chances.





I applaud you for taking your child to the dentist and encouraging good habits.
Reply:If previous posters really worked in pedo, then they know that the fillings may have been left a little rough because the dentist was in a hurry to finish. 3-year-olds have notoriously short attention spans in the dental chair, even if they are perfect at home. To avoid the screaming fit that many children have in a pedo office, fillings are often not polished to the degree that they are in adults. Ask your dentist about it, but it may not be worth putting your son in the chair again just to have them polished. It may be something that can be done as part of a regular visit in the future. You don't want to push your luck and have him decide he hates the dentist over a couple rough spots.





The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends restricting juice intake to less than 6 oz per day for children under six. Sleeping with the bottle is not the only problem. If you let your son have a sippy cup with juice during the day, it is just as bad as at night. Always follow juice or milk with water and keep up the brushing.





Susceptibility to cavities is not truly genetic, but it is "hereditary". Cavities are caused by bacteria. We're not born with those bacteria, though, so where do they come from? Mom and Dad. When our children put there hands in our mouths or we kiss them or we share utensils or anything else that could transfer those bacteria, they get them. Some people have bacteria that are weak, some are strong. This is why people will say "my family always has bad teeth" or "my family has strong teeth". It's often not the teeth, it's the virulence of the strain of bacteria. There are tests for this, and you pediatric dentist may be able to take a sample and have it checked if you are concerned. It's not cheap though.





Good luck. Being concerned is the most important thing. a couple fillings in a three year old is totally normal. But, if you keep up the hard work they may be his last.
Reply:No, it´s not normal... it should be smooth and imperceptible...





If your kid has problems with cavities, try "ACT KIDS" it´s a mouth wash by Johnson %26amp; Johnson... works great.... always after the teeth brush, but anyway, ask your pediatric dentist first...





Most of the problems with cavities are because the saliva acidity and diet, forget about genetics...





Good luck!
Reply:I dont agree with many of the posters who say tooth decay is not hereditary. Some people have enamel that is thinner or even missing in places. I know because my nephew ( who is just 1 1/2 years old ) has teeth that were damaged as soon as they erupted....they came in bad. His father has the same problem as does his paternal grandmother. No amount of brushing, flossing, and dental visits will change it ! And diet wasnt a factor either since he was completely breast fed until his teeth erupted. You can only keep doing the same things...and get regular check-ups to stay ahead of the game. I would recommend getting the sealants for your childs teeth too. Sealants are only done on adult teeth....but can be done are soon as they erupt. Also I wouldnt bother getting the fillings smoothed out unless they are bothering the child. Its not really worth the hassle for teeth that will eventually fall out.