It’s honestly a running joke in my office how some kids seem to get cavities just by looking at a cookie, while others could practically brush with soda and never have an issue. I’ve seen parents come in feeling so guilty, like they’ve failed some secret oral hygiene test. But yeah, genetics play a huge role—my own daughter had a cavity at 18 months, and I’m a dentist! Sometimes, you do everything “right” and teeth still have a mind of their own.
Sometimes, you do everything “right” and teeth still have a mind of their own.
Honestly, this makes me feel a bit better. I’ve been stressing about my little one’s first dentist visit, like I’m going to get graded or something. I brush her teeth, limit sweets, all that jazz... but hearing even dentists’ kids get cavities? Maybe it’s not just me. Still, I can’t help but worry every time she chews on her sippy cup. Maybe I’m overthinking it, but the guilt is real.
I totally get the guilt thing—my kid had a tiny cavity at 18 months, and I felt like I’d failed. We brushed twice a day, barely any juice... still happened. Does anyone else wonder if genetics just play a bigger role than we think?
Totally relate to this. My little one had a cavity before age two and I felt so bad, like I must’ve missed something. We did all the “right” things too—limited sweets, brushed every night. I’m starting to think genetics might just be a big factor, because my partner had tons of cavities as a kid no matter what. It’s tough not to blame yourself, but sometimes it’s just out of our hands.
I totally get where you’re coming from. My kiddo had a tiny cavity before she turned one, and I felt like the worst parent ever. We were brushing, barely any juice or sweets... still happened. Dentist told me some kids just have softer enamel, and genetics can really play a part. It’s hard not to stress, but you’re definitely not alone. Sometimes you do everything right and it still happens.
