AIBU to get my toddler a scale and polish?

The only thing that causes tartar build up is plaque being left on the teeth I.e. poor brushing. Everyone gets plaque build up, some people are more prone to that plaque becoming calculus/tartar but if the plaque is thoroughly brushed away daily the tartar cannot form.

There is no way in hell a 2yo will sit through a scale and polish, and if anything will likely put her off going to the dentist. Tartar itself won't cause decay and is relatively harmless at 2

Continue to thoroughly brush her teeth twice a day and visit the dentist for 6 monthly check ups. When she's older she can have it gently hand scaled off, but using a sharp pointy object in a wiggly 2yos mouth is not a good idea

Xylitol mints. Give her one every day after the morning brush. It stops plaque from building up as it has nothing to stick to.

No way will a toddler tolerate a scale and polish! I hate them and I'm 43! And going to the dentist doesn't bother me at all. Except for that!

Xylitol. Pop a little bit on your toddler's teeth. Should also help keep any decay at bay/remineralise early decay.

Same. We’re part of the unlucky 10%, it sounds as if OP’s daughter is too. In my case it seems to be genetic as my dad had exactly the same issue.

I have an impeccable oral hygiene routine and attend the dentist 6 monthly but I always have plaque build up.

I attended a fantastic dentist once who said that some people are much more prone to deposits of such things. I can't remember the exact reason she gave sorry, but it made a lot of sense.

Basically I can do everything right and my teeth are otherwise good (only ever had one cavity) I just get plaque build up.

Your daughter may just be unlucky and don't beat yourself up if you really are being thorough with her brushing and diet.

But they can if needed - they just go to the dentist for it who takes the scale and polish really slowly. I know as DN had to have one at 2.5 as sil wasn’t brushing his teeth or taking care of sugar intake

It’s not just about calcium. You need vitamin d and vitamin c and a whole host of other vitamins and omega 3 to build good teeth. I’ve been giving DS the wellbaby liquid since he was a baby

I don't think hygienists will see children, they don't at our NHS dentist. 17 year old ds needed a scale due to build up round his fixed braces and the dentist did it. Obviously very different to a toddler but the hygienist said it had to be the dentist as he's under 18

Does she have a dummy? My little one had the same thing on bottom front teeth. I think sometimes eating/drinking and then having a dummy afterwards can cause it.

They wouldn't tolerate it I don't think. It can be sensitive and even painful, in adults who are very experienced with dental work. So the little one would be too uncomfortable. They can use a water spray thing but even that might be too unpleasant for a kid that young.
You should ask the dentist what they recommend. I remember having this stuff that you put on the teeth and it changes colour to show the bits you've missed when you brush. But that was when I was about 6.

Never clean straight after eating

As a lifelong tartar sufferer I’m something of an expert on this! My dentist tells me that around 10% of the population is prone to build up and so need to be hyper vigilant. It has zero impact on decay and would happen regardless of diet. The things that are effective are thorough and frequent cleaning, preferably with an electric toothbrush, and flossing. Could you ask your dentist about the possibility of introducing your daughter to flossing @SpoonyFox? It’s going to have to be a lifelong habit if she’s prone to tartar buildup.

I was told to take calcium with vitamin d while I was pregnant (lol my gran had the same issue).

Fruit has a lot of sugar in it. Try to clean after eating fruit or give carrot sticks etc instead of some of the fruit.

No real advice over the hygienist appointment at her age but want to point out: you might not be doing anything wrong.

I use a water flosser, an electrical toothbrush, a manual toothbrush, mouthwash & interdental flossers twice a day every day, and plaque disclosing tablets twice a week. I still have to go and have build up removed every 3-4 months. My issues are caused my genetics, and having too much calcium in my saliva. Nothing can be done to change that, other than frequent cleanings & my extensive dental routine. My dentist has agreed I’m not doing anything wrong, and has remarked that he and my hygienist also have trouble reaching some of my teeth because my jaw is so small, my teeth are actually too big for it, and have grown in very tightly squished. Braces are not an option due to other issues.

Sometimes you can do everything you can, but luck screws you over 🙈

As a nanny, I can pretty much guarantee that there’s not a 2 year old that exists, who would manage to have this done. Sorry op, keep doing what you’re doing. Does she eat dried fruit?