Dear Michelle,
    There is alot of material on dental health/caries available.  As a former
pediatric dental hygienist, one that I particularly like (and is referenced)
is found on Coach Linda Smith's website:   www.bflrc.com
    I saw thousands of cases of maxillary anterior caries.  Most of the time
the child had a pre-existing hypoplasia of the enamel contributing to or
causing the decay. Before the days of same day surgery, we used to do these
procedures in the hospital under general anesthesia.  Nowadays this can be
done in the office with nitrous oxide analgesia or chloral hydrate sedation
etc.
    If the teeth are extracted, rather than crowned, the area sometimes
requires suturing, sometimes not.  The pressure on the gums from nursing
would be beneficial, not derogatory either way.  The area may be numb from
local anesthesia for hours but this does not deter most todddlers from
wanting to nurse.
    I hope you live in an area with a pediatric dental practice (pedodonist).
 Most of them are used to requests to be with the child, nurse etc. even when
they don't condone it.  Please contact me privately if I can be of further
help.

Jan Ellen Brown RDH, IBCLC
Charlotte, NC

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