Cavities in a 3Yr Old, Dentist Refuses to Fill. What Now?

Updated on May 02, 2011
G.W. asks from Concord, NH
8 answers

My three year odl has cavities. The first dentist we saw had the attitude " they are baby teetha nd will fall out anyway, no big deal to treat any dental issues". We went to a pediatric dentist. They found 6 cavities, from my child bruxing (grinding) his teeth causing them to wear down and decay. But this dentist refuses to fill them as well. My son is in pain now, and has refused to eat or drink anything in what is going on 9 days now. We can get him to take water, but he has had absolutely no food or sugar in 9 days. While playing hes gotten dizzy and fallen and gotten seriously hurt from lack of nutrition because his teeth hurt. What can I do? No other dentist in our area accepts our insurance, so I am stuck seeing this dentist. Do I push this one to fill them? or take my son to the next state to a dentist who will do something about his dental issues? Please someone help me! I am getting so worried about him, and don't know where to go from here.

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So What Happened?

So our pediatrician told us to start pediasure and he took three bottles of that down very quickly, she also called the dentist and told him he HAD to fill the teeth because they are very small caries and if the dentist let them go they would only get worse and need to be pulled. They are not at the point of being pulled yet, we are also going to cap his teeth to prevent any more damage from the grinding! Thank you to all who gave advice, this has been an emotional process, knowing he has cavities, and we have NEVER let him go to bed with a bottle or given him sugars and candies, just the occasional piece of cake at a bday or something and we brush after every meal and snack. Thankfully the pediatrician is on our side and willing to go to bat for our son!

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

You let him go 9 days?!?!

My ped dentist fills them, gives gas if needed. If they are causing him that much pain he probably needs them pulled.

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M.M.

answers from Boston on

OMG!! call your dental insurance and see if there is anywhere else you could go...this is unheard of.....My dentist has filled my son's cavities and now his pediatric dentist also fills any cavities or pulls the teeth if necessary....I'd also heard that if the cavities in baby teeth were not taken care of (filled or have teeth pulled) it could either damage the perm. teeth or cause some kind of nasty infection...and you may want to check in w/ his pediatrician too

1 mom found this helpful

D.B.

answers from Boston on

Forget the teeth. He needs nutrition immediately.

I have colleagues in your area who can provide immediate liquid nutrition for him - no chewing but he needs to drink. You may be able to avoid hospitalization but you must act immediately - otherwise it's IV fluids and a hospital stay.

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K.D.

answers from Boston on

He hasn't eaten in 9 days? He needs medical intervention right now! Get him to your pediatrician.

P.M.

answers from Tampa on

They should be filled... issue is how will your son react to needles in the mouth and the vibration from the drill?

My daughter has had 2 cavities and she's almost 6... I was in such emotional pain due to guilt - so I can only imagine yours.

I'd try the state department's dentist if you can...

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S.G.

answers from Jacksonville on

My son grinds the back side of his upper front teeth too. He doesn't have any cavities yet and the dentist won't fill or cap them either. But they will pull them which is what your son's dentist should have recommended!! In the mean time you son is becoming seriously ill from not eating and needs to see a DR to get his strength up ASAP!!

S.

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A.C.

answers from Boston on

Take him to the hospital right now. How would you feel if you didn't eat for 9 days? At the very least a doctor will determine if the reason he isn't eating is because of his teeth and they should be able to see to it that they get fixed.

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A.C.

answers from Boston on

I was always told that if baby teeth have cavities and are not filled then this can damage the permanent teeth. But more important please get your child some nutrition ASAP as he needs that first and then keep contacting dentist until you find on who will take care of your child. Call you health insurance and explain what you are going through and ask them for a list of dentist that take your insurance.

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