Fissures Staining or Cavites, Teeth Grinding and Mouthguards

My daughter had sealants come off. We probably wouldn't have noticed, but she had pretty big pieces of plastic like stuff in her mouth. She could tell her teeth felt "different" so we took her in. She grinds her teeth. I don't know if that was a factor.

My kids have my teeth. They fit very close together in the back. Both kids have had cavities in their molars. Brushing and floride alone can't get between the teeth. You don't mention flossing. If she isn't flossing, those teeth aren't getting clean in between.

Get a second opinion on the cavities and sealants if you don't trust the dentist. If a second dentist confirms that the sealants are indeed worn down and sees evidence of grinding, ask what, if anything, they think should be done and consider your options. One of my kids grinds her teeth (we can hear it at night) but her teeth are healthy and she doesn't get headaches or soreness from it so we don't worry about it.

As for how fast can cavities form? In less than 6 months, that's for sure. Some of my kids are prone to cavities (as am I) and get a clean bill of health at one visit and need 4 fillings after the next.

FWIW, you sound a bit over the top about this. Why so paranoid about germs? Sharing a fork doesn't give you cavities...

If you do not trust your dentist, go find another one.

I'm a grinder and over the years, I have managed to crack all of my back teeth even using my mouth guard. I broke 2 mouth guards by grinding so badly. All of my back teeth have porcelain crowns, not due to decay but due to my grinding and cracking the teeth. I'm early 50's and I've worn mouth guards since my late teens.

It's not hard to get used to a mouth guard. It just fits over the bottom or top teeth at night. When I catch myself grinding during the day, I wear the guard. It's clear and not noticeable.

Get your daughter the help she needs and a second opinion if you don't believe your dentist. Go see a pedriatric dentist.

I brushed and glossed every day and got cavities in middle school and the rest of my life. The dentist said that some people's teeth get cavities easier than others. Brushing and flossing help but do not prevent all cavities. Neither do sealants. They are just an imperfect tool.

My daughter had sealants but still got 1 cavity bcause the sealant had worn off. Sealants wear off. Her dentist checked her sealants at every 6 month check up. They don't hold up very long. My daughter's dentist told us that sealants do not guarantee no cavities. They are a way to protect the teeth short term.

I suggest you get a second opinion since you question this dentists word. Most dentists appointments are full and have no need to fake cavities to get more business. Still a second opinion may help you feel better.

i'm confused by your confusion. if your kid has started grinding her teeth, then yeah, she could wear off the sealants and get a cavity.
my younger just got his first cavity ever at age 22. it happens.
khairete
S.

I'd do what the dentist suggests. I would consider getting another opinion just to be sure he's not going the wrong path.

I would say she's had good teeth so far. If she's loosing enamel then she may just have weak enamel.

The dirty truth about fluoride is it is caustic. When flouride was tested and showed it prevented cavities, the research was done among people who didn't brush their teeth at all. Anything that killed bacteria would have helped. Look up fluorosis...and pictures as well. My kids are 19 and 22 and never had a cavity and never used flouride......and their teeth are clean and clean feeling. We are only one of a few industrialized countries that still has fluoride in the water supply. Most have removed it....

As far as the grinding, chiropractic care can stop that. I had that problem as well as one of my daughters. If you decide to go that route look for an upper cervical chiropractor that can explain exactly how your neurological system works. If they can't, then look for someone else.

Hope this helps!
M.

I would probably be listening to the dentist and definitely getting a second opinion. This whole fluoride treatment thing is obviously new and sounds pretty unnecessary. I am In my mid to late 30's, never had any such fluoride treatment, and have had one cavity ... Because the braces, bracket thing, wasn't sealed completely and so that was that. Seriously, everything you are talking about seems line it is a little over the top.
You mentioned that your daughter brushes better at 20 then wheb she was 6 ... I wonder were you also brushing her teeth at 6? (No child is adapt at brushing properly until they are much older. Talk to your dentist.)
Again, get a second opinion and then listen to your dentist. Something is up for your daughter having these cavities.

Sometimes dentist can mistake dark lines for cavities when it is just food stains. Sealants can pop out, get grounded down. Sometimes they are rely only good for a specific period time depending on the impact they recieve. I'm a grinder, however have only recently started wearing a nightguard. If she grinds her teeth you would see some flat areas on the tooth surface. Mine are flat in some areas in the front and back.

Does she have an overbite? Jaw problems? Sometimes grinding happens due to a misaligned jaw( I have TMJ). Other times it is due to stress or anxiety. Does she have any of that? I would purchase a nightguard for her. That will help with the nighttime grinding.