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Original poster

How important is teeth brushing?

126 replies

howsoonisnow85 · 23/01/2021 07:52

My DD is 11 months & has 8 teeth, it is absolutely impossible to brush her teeth, she just will not let me. The routine I have come to with her is that whilst I am brushing mine I have her in the bathroom & give her a baby toothbrush which she sucks/ chews on.
Do I need to force this more with her as it will cause her issues later on, or should I pick my battles & this isn't one until shes older?
Thanks!

OP posts:
Toocold · 23/01/2021 11:48

Very important, there is a real risk of gum infection which can lead to a heart infection, which is why when you have a baby with a heart condition you get a lot of information on the importance of teeth brushing. Have you tried cuddling from behind and brushing her teeth or getting her to brush your teeth at the same time as you do hers? That’s what I did when mine were tiny, my youngest I brush her teeth and then get her to check I have done it properly by getting her to go over it.

Onedropbeat · 23/01/2021 11:49

There was always a problem with unnecessary extractions and tooth work from private dentists when I was growing up as they got paid more for that than a simple check and all fine.

Some people had unnecessary fillings, some had unnecessary crowns

I have a feeling it’s people thinking those were necessary who have grown up scared of potential extractions in their kids and are a bit extreme with it

I’m not too sure how things have changed since nhs dentistry is more common but hopefully they don’t take anything unnecessary any more

SimonJT · 23/01/2021 11:51

@IHaveBrilloHair

Extracting teeth from 6yr olds is highly unlikely to be because their teeth weren't brushed as thoroughly as they could have been as a toddler, but then as a dentist you'd know that right?
My five year old is on the cusp of feeding a tooth extracted because his birth parent chose not to brush his teeth, as a result his teeth were not brushed at all for the first 14 months of his life. They’re in an awful condition and he has a very limited diet where sweets etc are concerned to reduce more damage being caused.

Poor oral hygiene is a common sign of neglect.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

9-12 months old Babies & sleep Dental health Families
SimonJT · 23/01/2021 11:52

Obviously needing not feeding Confused

FudgeSundae · 23/01/2021 11:53

Non negotiable here too for my 18 month old! What helped:
Finger Toothbrush for Toddlers,Finger Toothbrush 0 2 Years FDA Grade Soft Silicone for Clean Teeth and Gums by Noondl www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07HQVYY5W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_.1adGbP90SK7Z?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21 I brush first with these then she chews on her baby toothbrush.

  • morning is right after breakfast while she is still in her highchair with bib on. Harder to wriggle away!
  • evening is in the bath - she actually likes this and it means no mess.
I think having consistent timing helps. But yeah if she screams I just say “mummy will be quick!” And carry on.
Onedropbeat · 23/01/2021 11:57

Absolute nonsense

Oral hygiene in a toddler is not a sign of neglect but of underlying health conditions

14 months of no brushing when only a few teeth would even be through would not cause decay like that. The gums would have needed to recede and have gum disease before that happened

You’d know about that because of bleeding gums

If 14 months of no brushing from birth has caused damage, it’s not the lack of teeth brushing there’s something else that needs to be looked at

IHaveBrilloHair · 23/01/2021 11:59

Not brushed at all, coupled with neglect is very different from doing the best with little ones until they understand a bit more.

SimonJT · 23/01/2021 12:06

@Onedropbeat

Absolute nonsense

Oral hygiene in a toddler is not a sign of neglect but of underlying health conditions

14 months of no brushing when only a few teeth would even be through would not cause decay like that. The gums would have needed to recede and have gum disease before that happened

You’d know about that because of bleeding gums

If 14 months of no brushing from birth has caused damage, it’s not the lack of teeth brushing there’s something else that needs to be looked at

I very much know my own son, as do all thr various health professionals he has seen in his short life.

His tooth decay was caused by his birth parent failing to care for his teeth.

OhToBeASeahorse · 23/01/2021 12:16

If I only ever sid what I could coerce my toddler to do without some firm handling he would have horrific nappy rash, probably frostbite on his hands and poor oral hygiene.

The idea that pinning them down is cruel is ridiculous in my opinion. Sometimes needs must. I would love him to cooperate and enjoy it. If he doesnt, its being done anyway.

Peculiartimes · 23/01/2021 12:21

You must try to convince your baby and keep on trying using different methids. But I'm absolutely against applying a physical force of any kind, it feels like abuse and causes trauma.

Emmacb82 · 23/01/2021 12:22

Non negotiable here and if it’s done right from the first tooth emerging then they soon get used to it. I would choose pinning them down or wrapping in a towel to get them done over having teeth extracted any day. It’s a minute of upset that has no long lasting effects. And in all honesty, the more they scream, the wider their mouth is and you can brush them even better! 😁

OhToBeASeahorse · 23/01/2021 12:30

Abuse?

Fuck me this site gets weirder.

Peculiartimes · 23/01/2021 12:36

@OhToBeASeahorse

Abuse?

Fuck me this site gets weirder.

I imagine myself being pinned down by someone who is trying to open my mouth against my will while I am screaming and gagging. Do people also force-feed broccoli to their children if their diet is not ideal? I do think that dental hygiene is extremely important but not every method is right. There is nothing weird about it.
OhToBeASeahorse · 23/01/2021 12:41

Equating brushing teeth to abuse is almost insulting to people that have been abused... and i should know.

Eating broccoli is great and should be encouraged but there are other ways of getting vitamins and calcium into children. There is no other way of getting their teeth cleaned. Wrapping in a towel or pinning down if necessary then thats what has to be done. I've never ever met a dentist that has said 'don't worry about brushing'. It isnt the same thing at all.

Calm, firm - not abuse.

gamerchick · 23/01/2021 12:55

I imagine myself being pinned down by someone who is trying to open my mouth against my will while I am screaming and gagging

You're an adult, you know the consequences of not brushing. Hardly comparable.

TotorosFurryBehind · 23/01/2021 13:01

Really important. Non negotiable. And I say that as a gentle parent, tooth brushing us the only thing we force our daughter to do.

AldiIsla · 23/01/2021 13:16

I imagine myself being pinned down by someone who is trying to open my mouth against my will while I am screaming and gagging

Strange way to spend a Saturday.

MaMaD1990 · 23/01/2021 13:30

I love how this thread has gone from saying how we brush our children's teeth to the majority of us being finger wagged at what such abusive parents we are. I for one am having quite the giggle.

shittingthreeeyedraven · 23/01/2021 14:09

Mine watches a song on my phone while I brush, double bonus of hands occupied and attention captured. It might also be worth trying different toothbrushes as we had a real battle then bought a new brush and it was like a switch had gone and it was fine!

TrashKitten10 · 23/01/2021 16:00

Obviously gentler methods are preferred but if it's a choice between pinning them down whilst they scream or not brushing their teeth at all you've just got to get it over and done with.

For the PP trying to compare it to an adult being held down, that's ridiculous. Toddlers are not rational beings able to make informed choices. Sometimes things need to be done to them, without their consent, to keep them safe and healthy. Because they are unable to make those decisions themselves. And they might scream. But my toddler has screamed today because she wants me to wear DH's prescription glasses instead of him and because I wouldn't let her lick a dirty shoe. Everything is the end of the world in the moment but they soon get over it.

Strongerthanilook · 23/01/2021 16:03

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Angrymum22 · 23/01/2021 17:07

Have a look on Amazon for a brush that fits on your finger like a finger puppet. Lie your child on your knees while your sat on the floor with their head towards you and brush using the brush. Distract them by hanging a toy above them, perhaps round your neck. DS used to have a mat with an arch over it that would have been ideal.

LemonDrizzles · 23/01/2021 17:27

What I found worked is letting them brush your teeth. Miming the activity during the day. Finding episodes of in the night garden where they do it and do it at the same time.

AldiIsla · 23/01/2021 20:24

If you're letting wee ones brush your teeth clamp your jaw shut and do a big smile so they can brush the front and sides.

If you open wide you'll need the gag reflex of a pornstar.

lambo88 · 23/01/2021 20:31

Hi Hun I'm a dental nurse and we reccomend brushing little knee teeth as soon as they get there first tooth...ur little one may not like the flavour of toothpaste so have u tried the make brush baby from boots...Our little one is on the 0-3 apple mint flavour and we also use the brush baby little battery toothbrush...he absolutely loves having his teeth brushed...brush baby also sell finger wipes aswel xxx

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