Dental Sealants

[EAMom]

Dental sealants have been recommended for my younger dd6 (probably non-PANDAS). At first I was leary b/c of the plastics (although they say no bpa)...but who knows what else is in there? On the other hand, they do significantly decrease cavities. Dd6 dose have a history of cavities (has crowns on 2 front baby teeth)...so she does seem to be prone. It seems like it would be way worse to wait for cavities to form with that possible sequela.

 

I personally have crowns/root canals (and these start with cavities/filllings)...so I'd be great if the sealants could prevent a similar fate in my dd.

 

Does anyone have a big reason we shouldn't do this?

[faith]

hi,

my son has had them. I went thru the same wondering but did do it. I don't think we had any problems arise as far as it triggering tics, that's what our issue is, so that's what I look for.

 

What about flouride treatments, just curious, do you (or anyone here) do that? I always have refused the flouride treatment only because I am afraid they could increase tics. I don't know if they do, but I am always on the lookout for potential triggers for that. don't know if I'm doing the right thing, but if you read some stuff about flouride, it sounds pretty evil. Usually we use Toms flouride free childrens toothpaste, but lately my son stopped liking it and keeps making a fuss, so I've been letting him use Colgate.

 

Faith

[matis_mom]

Our doctor just said to go get my PANDAS ds a dental check for cavities and possible infection under the gums, as these could be what is stopping the abx from doing their job (we are also looking at other possible absesses), so dental health is very important. But I have to say, I truly believe the probiotics are doing their job at keeping bacteria under check (at least in the mouth!) Both my older boys used to get these awful brown stains on their teeth no matter how often they brushed, but now his teeth are so squeeky clean! My daughter started with the same type of stains, and I discovered (while researching biofilm) this mouthwash called Biotene that addresses biofilm in the mouth (that's what plaque is). It works great, and it contains no alcohol (which was the reason I have been avoiding mouthwash with the younger kids, even if they spit it out, some of it will get absorbed while they are rinsing).

So even though I have no opinion about sealants, I thought I would share these two tips which I think will help keep those teeth healthy. We also do cod liver oil, which is great for building strong bones and teeth.

 

Isabel

[thereishope]

My non PANDAS son just got them a few months ago. My family has a "weak dental history" with a lot of cavities and such so we thought it was a good decision. I do think they said the sealant may wear down over time. Sealants were not suggested to us until age 8. So maybe ask about her age and if she's the appropriate age for them.

 

Both my kids, including my PANDAS son, have gotten flouride treatments. He never had tics so I didn't have the worry of those increasing. But I never saw anything negative happen due to the flouride treatment either. Again, I'm trying my best to keep their teeth healthy. Even though I've been a good brusher and such throughout the years, I am very prone to cavities that have resulted in infections, root canals, etc. I don't want to have to go through that.

[EAMom]

Even though I've been a good brusher and such throughout the years, I am very prone to cavities that have resulted in infections, root canals, etc. I don't want to have to go through that.

 

Me too. My dentist said it's not my fault, that I just have soft teeth and that it's genetic. I think that's true...my parents have horrible teeth as well (although, granted, they grew up in an era where they didn't have access to good dental care as children.)

[thereishope]

My oldest son was premature and sometimes I wonder whether I had a dental infection that I wasn't aware of that led to his prematurity. I read somewhere that can happen.In hindsight, they say toxemia, but I wonder....

[EAMom]

We do the fluoride treatment at the dentist ...no problems. For a while we were doing the daily fluoride pills as well...but the manufacturer we were using stopped making them and both kids said the new ones tasted horrible. I asked the dentist about that and he suggested using the ACT rinse.

 

Years ago, for a period of time we stopped Fluoride supplements (daily) b/c of all the contraversy. That came back to bite us hard...our younger dd had 2 broken teeth/cavities/crowns at 2 years of age. I don't know if this wouldn't have happened if we have been giving her fluoride, but it was enough for us to re-start it. Fortunately, we haven't had problems since then. However, it's been mentioned that the same dd has deep grooves in her teeth so that will make them more prone to getting cavities.

[thereishope]

By any chance do you have well water? Probably not, but the flouride issue is common for those who drink well water.

 

We do the fluoride treatment at the dentist ...no problems. For a while we were doing the daily fluoride pills as well...but the manufacturer we were using stopped making them and both kids said the new ones tasted horrible. I asked the dentist about that and he suggested using the ACT rinse.

 

Years ago, for a period of time we stopped Fluoride supplements (daily) b/c of all the contraversy. That came back to bite us hard...our younger dd had 2 broken teeth/cavities/crowns at 2 years of age. I don't know if this wouldn't have happened if we have been giving her fluoride, but it was enough for us to re-start it. Fortunately, we haven't had problems since then. However, it's been mentioned that the same dd has deep grooves in her teeth so that will make them more prone to getting cavities.

[EAMom]

nope. and our part of town doesn't have fluoridated water.

[smartyjones]

funny that this dental issue comes up today b/c someone just mentioned to me the issue of mercury in dental fillings. i am not sure what exactly that is - if it's the newer amalgam type fillings or something older? i was putting it on my list of things to research in my spare time - !

 

i am fortunate that neither of my boys has had cavities yet. although my cousin has never had a cavity in her life so maybe they got her teeth.

 

the person who mentioned it said the mercury must be treated as a toxic material before they put it in your mouth and when people have them removed, it must be disposed of as a toxic material. does anyone have info on that?

 

my pandas son was on keflex 30 days in february, then again 30 days in april/may. over the summer, i noticed his two front teeth had a brownish stain on them. the dentist got it off at his appt in sept. she said a short course of abx wouldn't cause it, but 2 30-day courses could have.

 

we have been using the Biotene toothpaste b/c some think it helps with bacteria in the mouth so i thought it couldn't hurt. been thinking of trying the mouthwash too.

[peagreen]

I've heard that the sealants don't last, and after they have eroded away, they leave the tooth even more vulnerable to cavities because the dentist has prepared the surface by grinding away the enamel. I had never had any cavities until two years after I had sealants put in on the advice of my former dentist. After that, I got cavities in the places where my sealants failed, and my new dentist said she rarely put sealants in for that very reason. Plus, I wonder about how safe ingesting that stuff is as it erodes away in your mouth. I wouldn't do it. I think it's just another way for dentists to make money.

 

Paula