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Dentistry/baby with cavities??

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Question
My son is 13 months old and has 8 teeth. His top 4 appear to possibly have cavities. He got his first 2 teeth at 7 months, and the others to follow, so he has not had them very long. My 2 year old had to have 4 caps earlier this year. Both of them were breastfed and I had to take Lovenox injections while I was pregnant. Do you think it could have anything to do with the medication. I do not even give my 13 month old juice after what happened with my 2 year old. I was also told that the 2 year olds asthma medication could have affected his teeth.

Answer
I am not aware of any causal relationship with Lovinox and dental decay.  Decay is an infectious process that is caused by particular bacteria that always exist in the mouth.  While you have not given juice to your infant there are other liquids that can support the decay process including breast milk.  When a child has taken any liquid nourishment (other than water) and then falls asleep with the liquid pooled around the teeth it will probably result in significant decay activity since the sleeping child does not swallow what is in the mouth.  This process has been called nursing decay syndrome and is often responsible for early decay, especially in the front teeth.

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Dr. Randolph Myerson

Expertise

Please limit your inquiry to questions about orthodontics (braces) and children's dentistry. I am both an Orthodontist and a Pediatric Dentist, having been trained in both of these dental specialty fields. Orthodontics is the dental specialty that treats problems of tooth, bite and jaw alignment using braces and removable appliances. Pediatric Dentistry is the dental specialty also known as dentistry for children, which deals specifically with the dental problems of this special age group from infants to adolescents. I am also experienced in Forensic Dentistry, the application of dentistry to law enforcement and identification using dental records.

Experience

I have been in the private practice of orthodontics and pediatric dentistry for over 20 years. Prior to that I served for three years on the Cleft Palate and Cranio-facial Reconstruction team at Children''s Hospital of Philadelphia and was an Assistant Professor of Dentistry at University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. I also served as a dentist in the U.S.Air Force, stationed at Andrews AFB in Washington, DC.

Organizations
I am a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and a member of the American Association of Orthodontics, as well as a member of the American Dental Association and the Dental Society of the State of New York.

Education/Credentials
I received my BA in Biology from Frankin & Marshall College in 1969, and my dental degree from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 1973. In 1978 I received both my Certificate in Orthodontics from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, and my Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from Children''s Hospital of Philadelphia after completing a three year Teaching Fellowship in Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in 1978.

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