Interesting Tidbit...cavities and strep

[momaine]

My 13yo dd with PANDAS never had a cavity until the year she was diagnosed with OCD. (hindsite it was PANDAS) That first year of PANDAS she had horrible decay that no amount of brushing, flossing, or mouthwash helped. Dentist was floored. Since starting antibiotics, she's had two cleanings that were cavity free (even though she brushes much less frequently and not very well, and rarely flosses now) This most recent visit she even had less placque than her sister. Her sister brushes twice per day, anally and always flosses and mouth washes. Never had a cavity. Dd with PANDAS can barely manage to brush once per day for most of the last 6 months.

[EAMom]

I don't have a comparison, b/c my PANDAS dd has never had a cavity....but what you are saying makes sense (and I've wondered about the subject of cavities/antibiotics myself), since cavities are caused by bacteria. http://www.animated-teeth.com/tooth_decay/t2_tooth_decay_caries.htm

 

Where do the acids that cause tooth decay come from?

The acids that cause tooth demineralization (cavity formation) are produced by specific types of bacteria (mutans streptococci and lactobacilli) that live in dental plaque.

 

These bacteria are living organisms just like we are. When we consume foods and beverages, we create waste products. Bacteria do the same thing. The bacteria that cause tooth decay utilize sugars (glucose, sucrose, fructose, lactose, or cooked starches) as their food source. The waste products created during the digestion of these sugars are the acids (especially lactic acid) that cause the demineralization of tooth enamel and dentin.

 

Since the bacteria that live in our mouth eat when we do, as we ingest foods which contain sugars (such as soda, candy, milk, and even fruits and vegetables) these bacteria get a meal too. And within minutes they start producing the acids that cause tooth decay.

[momaine]

Thanks for that EAMom. It does make sense that the antibiotics might kill the strep in her mouth as well (as long as it would be the same type of antibiotic that is effective against that type of strep) and I have to wonder since my dd failed all 12 of the pneumococcal antibody panel if it's likely that she also is/became immune deficient to the type of strep that causes cavities? (Can you develop immune deficiency or are you born with it?) (no cavities at all pre-pandas) Just throwing some thoughts out there.

 

Angela

[Priscilla]

Interesting, My 8 yr dd has been under dental care since she broke 2 front teeth out at 2yr. Never had cavity, then 1 visit (about 5-6y) we went back and she had 5 CAVITIES!!!! clear check up 6 mos prior. I couldn't believe it, had to have 2 pulpotomies too! I went to 3 different dentists because I couldn't believe it. Nothing in diet had changed, and she only drinks water!

[Phasmid]

My son is almost 12 and has never had a cavity. At his second to last exam his dentist commented that he had a cavity starting. At the follow up next appointment some months later (we had to wait to get him back in), the cavity was gone. The dentist was dumbfounded. He said he never saw that happen and was really perplexed. The strange thing is my son seldom brushes.

[Megs_Mom]

Our dd never had a cavity - then at a dental visit between PANDAS episodes, needed 2 root canals and 2 cavities filled. This was a 7 year old! Now her teeth are back to perfect. Meg also got ulcers at the same time, so I wonder about acid reflux as well. At the time, I asked both dentists we went to "what would cause a child this age to have such bad issues"? I got the typical "do you floss, try to brush for her, etc" - if only someone had said to me then "well, this could be bacterially based - or due to stomach issues...."

 

Oh well.

[peglem]

At 3 1/2 years old, Allie had no cavities. Five months later she had a huge symptom flare- lots of self injury and bad rages, no sleep...pretty awful. A few weeks later her cheek swelled up w/ toothache (yes, I felt like the worst mommy ever!). She had 10 cavities and 2 abcesses. When that was taken care of, and of course, the dentist gave her abx, she came back to pre-toothache behaviors. At the time we just thought she was more irritable because of the pain. But, I always wondered how and why that happened so quickly w/ no problems before that.

[Ebersolk]

Within last 6 months since we started antibiotic and culturelle (probiotic) my daughter has needed pulpectomy and has had 3 cavaties. I am wondering if it is probiotic?