Sedation for 15 Month Old

V., I can just imagine how scared you feel- my son was sedated at 6 months for ear tubes. It will be ok, just follow the dr's recommendations for restricting food/liquid and let your daughter know you are right there.
Be prepared that she will probably be crying/screaming as she "comes to" and this is normal, just hold her and comfort her. It is part of regaining awareness and feels scary.
Please don't feel guilty about the tooth decay, I had a cavity at 2 years old and had never eaten so much as a piece of birthday cake!
Good luck!

That formula is such junk, ugh, I am surprised it is still for sale.
Ask him if this is really necessary as these are adult teeth. Get a 2nd and 3rd opinion. I wouldn't want to do it/
best, k

Hi V.,

First of all, don't blame yourself for the tooth decay. My son was exclusively breastfed, never had a bottle or drop of formula, and he had such bad tooth decay he had to see a pediatric dentist at the age of 3 for extensive work. I was also freaked out about the use of nitrous oxide, which is what our doctor used, but after much research and discussion, we went ahead and did it (on 4 occasions if I remember right) and he was just fine. To ease your mind, you might want to get a 2nd or 3rd opinion before consenting to the procedure. We spoke to 2 dentists before starting treatment.

Wishing you the best. :)

Hi. I know the feeling for my 2 girls had the same issue. It is called baby bottle tooth. Decay. My 1st child had the procedure at the age of 2. With my 2nd child I waited and she end up loosing her teeth at age 4 because the decay. Her teeth were rotten and her crowns fell out. Due to their age unfortunately sedation is our only option. My downfall was the sippy cup! Good luck !

My first question is: are they her "baby teeth?"
Because, why would any dentist extract baby teeth?
The sedation issue is different. What's the point? the rest of us get headsets with pleasant music, a shot of novocaine. But perhaps the dentist just wants to knock her out due to expecting her to be combative. But that won't build confidence in going to any dentist.
Can't blame the child.
I was sedated as a teenager for wisdom teeth extraction; and can tell you the pain upon waking is excruciating.

I take my boys to a fabulous dental practice in Boca. Dr. Marisol Ruiz and her staff (all women) deal /have dealt with my children since they were very little. Can you believe they actually enjoy going to the dentist?
However, when I go in for a cleaning, they hand me a glass of wine. My experience as a child was like going to a Nazi.
Give them a call at ###-###-#### and tell them S. White recommends them.

If in fact this is from the formula, then ask your doctor to put that in writing and call, then send the letter to the formula manufacturer. I am not "sue happy"; but if this is an issue with that formula (and lots of babies go to bed with milk in their mouths...) then it has to be addressed, and the manufacturer must answer. This can also be taken to the National Assn of Pediatric Dentists.
I know I sound like a politician; but I am an activist, which is much more effective...

To learn about preventing and reversing tooth decay visit here:
http://toothsoap.com/healthy-products.php?af=694666

If the decay has just begun it will reverse if you get proper mineralization - quality mother's milk should help remineralize the teeth. Using natural, whole foods is better than formulas - processed foods are usually extra acidic or have added sugar (which depletes minerals) and promote tooth decay. I'd put off having fillings, they may not be necessary.

Good luck,
J.

I feel for you. The alternative to having no sedation is for them to strap your child down into a 'papoose' where she can't move at all, have 2 other tech's hold her head still, and put a bent piece of padded metal in your childs mouth to keep it open while they do their work. My now 3 year old had cavities in his front teeth - 4, and this is what they did to him. He screamed the entire time as if they were cutting his fingers off. It took an hour to fill all four. When one of his fillings fell out I started searching for a dentist that was covered under our insurance but that also offered any type of sedation. I took him for consultations to two different dentists and both times he screamed from the time we got there until we left. The one I did find is Catherine Marcantonio in Freeport, FL (a 2 hour drive from us) but so worth it! It was an oral sedative they gave him that tasted like grape juice, he didn't cry the entire time. He just let them do what they needed. He doesn't freak out now when he goes to Dr. M but every time we pass the other dentist that did his 4 fillings he recognized the building and asks us in a panicked voice if that is where we are going. And he was 2 when all that was done. We were floored that a child that small could remember a location that we'd only been to 2 times. I'd go with the sedation.
Best of luck to you!
Jen M.
Mom of 3 boys - 6 yrs, 3.5 yrs, and 2 yrs :)

Please do not be hard on yourself for the cavities. Like other moms said, there are many factors, including genetics, that could have caused the decay. The formula could be a contributing factor but who knows for sure? You are taking a positive step by weaning and offering only water at night.

The tooth soap site is also a good resource.

Good luck and be ready to give lots of hugs and cuddles after your dental visit. You'll both need it :-)

The only Non-drug (besides local) I can think of is acupuncture. This would probably require the acupuncturist going to the dentist's office. I don't know of one who will do this, nor the fee if you find one.

Plus I don't know how you child would handle the needles in general.

I agree with Vitamin C, but not fish oil at this age. You can find however non-fish DHA (spectrum)- but what she needs if EPA for healing. Check with the health food store.

Formula/milk is not always the cause. Genetics can play a role. If you live in Pasco County- the water if not flourinated. You may need to get you child on Flouride vitamins depending on the county you live in.

Start brushing- if if you haven't already. Tom's of Maine & Earth's best have flouride free tooth paste for children under 3 yr.

My daughter was formula feed- age 3, not the first cavity. On Flouride vitamins, but she doesn't brush well (often won't let us without a knock down drag out fight.

Age teeth come in are also a factor- later the come in the better- less exposure to germs, sugars etc.

You may want to consider having her teeth sealed when she is old enough.

You may have no choice but to sedate- for the safety of your child & less stress. Have the dentist explain all of the risks.

The pediatric dentist should go over all the risks & benefits of the procedure and talk to you about the sedation. I can't imagine that you would be able to fill her teeth without it at her age. And if they are truly decaying, you do need to get it taken care of, regardless of whether they are baby or adult teeth (the only other alternative would be to pull them). Good luck.

I used to work in pediatric dentistry but we never sedated kids. Now that I look at it years later, it would've been better to gently sedate a 15 mo old. They don't understand being held down and that is trauma to them. The kind of sedation they use in this instance is pretty much harmless. She will take a few hours of acting groggy afterwards but by the end of the day she will be fine. Start her now on a regimen of vitamin C and fish oil to naturally detoxify the drug they use and get it out of her system quickly. Keep her on it afterwards. All kids should be on it because of our toxic world. Good luck...she will be fine.

V.~

I am so sorry you are going threw this. Thus far the moms have given you GREAT Advice. I know how you are feeling, Back in December I saw a couple of weird black spots in the deep crevices of my sons teeth and I FREAKED out...I am fanatical about brushing his teeth 2 times a day and watch his sugar intake...well I took him in for his 3rd cleaning and she told me he had some staining on his teeth they were not cavities...Thank GOD...but she gave me some tooth paste called "Mi Paste" you can find it on amazon and it has really lightened his stains...I know it might be to late for it now but it could be an option for the future for you. It is pricey but it is made from milk and has tons of calcium in it to help with stronger teeth. One of the moms spoke about teeth and genetics and I swore from the moment my son chipped his first tooth he had my husbands weak teeth. Thus far we have only been using it about 6 weeks and even the slight imperfections (tiny yellow spots that can develop in utero) he had in his teeth are now unnoticeable. I told my husband he needs to start using it...

I wish you the best of luck!!!

Three words: Call Dr. Frank Maye!!!
West Boca
worth the effort and trip. He will take care of your son! He puts a lot of emphasis on the psychology behind dentistry and will take away your fears and will avoid at all costs any trauma to your son.He restored my faith in pediatric dentists!! You can be fully involved!
I trust him completely!!!
Do not go back to someone who would speak like that in front of your son ever!!! Dr. Maye will take care of it. My son needed 8, yes eight caps and Dr. Maye did it in one surgery . My son was asleep and had NO trauma. a little pain post surgery and that is it. my two year old hops up in the seat excited to go!! He had a procedure on his front tooth and Dr. Maye took care of that too with no pain, no trauma, I held him while they administered a medication in his nose so he would be groggy, we watched Nemo for 10 minutes in a quiet dark room, while the medicine took affect then I put him in the seat with the Dr. and left. Dr. Maye personally carried my baby back to me after the 15 minute procedure and he was fine, he looked a little drunk, smiling and dazed but perfectly FINE. I think he would be mortified to hear that your dentist discussed this in front of your son much less mentioned he could die! Disgusting and completely ridiculous!!! Please, I urge you to go see him. My older son with the eight caps teeth got so bad because I kept avoiding it. I went to one horrible Dentist after another. and decided what they were suggesting could NOT be the only answer. Dr. Maye was our saviour! Both my kids have been cavity and issue free since starting with him!!!

I would definately get another opnion to see if this is the only option . If they are baby teeth maybe there is a different way, maybe it can wait?
My daughter was born with a congenital heart disease and was premature as well. She has undergone numerous procedures and has been sedated more times than I can count ( she is 4 now) It was always done at Miami Childrens Hospital and I only ever experienced a problem once and that was a very heavy sedation where she was intubated as well, and it all worked out fine in the end . I do not think this sedation will be anything like a sedation for open heart! Its much better to have your child sleeping for this dental procedure I am sure. She will be fine. A little groggy after.
It is scary for us for sure. I always tell the doctors it us parents who need the drugs when they are doing this to our children!!! I am sure your dentist is very reputable and you trust him. This is most important.It will be behind you before you know it! Best of luck.Sending love.