My Children Are Developing a Mouth Full of Silver

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I am very diligent with my children’s oral health. I brush their teeth twice a day. I floss their teeth daily. I take them to the dentist for checkups regularly and for their appointments for cavities and such. Yet despite all that, they keep getting decay that results in silver crowns. What am I doing wrong?

Elaine

Dear Elaine,

I can tell that you care for your children a great deal and do everything you can to take care of their teeth. It’s not that they are doing anything wrong. It’s more that you do not have all the information. I wish your pediatric dentist was educating you on other possibilities for their decay.

Along with oral hygiene, the biggest defense your children’s teeth have is the minerals in their saliva. Saliva is a powerful defender against decay. However, if your child is always snacking, then there isn’t time for the saliva to actually do its job. Over snacking, which would include drinks such as juice and soda, is one of the biggest factors in decay.

Once that decay gets too large, then the tooth can’t be treated with a simple filling. It will need a dental crown. For baby teeth the standard crown is a stainless steel crown. They’re cheaper and will last long enough. You are not bound to that type of crown. While it is the only one the insurance will pay for, you can pay the difference and get them a porcelain crown if it is on a visible tooth.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Medicaid Dentists at Louisiana Dental Group.