Cavities in kids?

When I told my 8 year old daughter to brush her teeth tonight she started crying and said that her teeth hurt. I looked in her mouth and was shocked to find what appears to be large cavities in three of her teeth. I don't allow her to eat sweets or drink soda, so I don't know how she got the cavities.





I explained to her that she would have to go to the dentist and get fillings, but she's terrified about going. I have a cavity in my own tooth that I'm aware of and I was thinking about letting her watch me have it filled......but I'm not sure whether seeing the needles and drills would scare her more. Any ideas?





Also, I'm slightly concerned over the worries of amalgam fillings, but we can't afford to go private unless it's absolutely necessary - is there really a risk associated with amalgam?





Thanks in advance for your help. (I'm in the UK by the way, and I don't think we have specialist paediatric dentists over here)

Cavities in kids?
I wouldn't recommend letting her watch you get yours filled. For a couple of reasons... first, the needle and the drill would probably freak her out just a little. Number 2, if for any reason, something goes wrong with your filling, you don't want her there to see that.


What I would do if I were you is schedule an appointment with your dentist for your daughter just to go in and get acquainted with the dental office. Have her go sit in the chair, have the hygienist show her all the instruments and gadgets, and then have the hygienist do a light cleaning on her teeth. This is all very non-invasive and should make your daughter comfortable with the people there. THEN, the dentist can tell you whether she needs fillings or not and if she does, make that appointment then.


As for your other question... there are no dangers with amalgam fillings. People like to exaggerate and scare the public about EVERYTHING, and amalgam fillings just happen to fall into this category. They're safe, long lasting, cost-effective. They're a great option... as long as you don't mind the gray color...


Good luck.
Reply:go to a child dentist they do have them in the UK have the dentist explain everything that will happen
Reply:the silver amalgam is of zero concern, in my opinion. There is a TON of data to support such a statement.





Are these milk teeth? if not permanent ones, this may be a non-starter. My brother sufferred from bad milk teeth, yellow, cavity ridden.... then he lost them and grew a really nice set of teeth.





Certainly need to see a pediatric dentist