Ways to prevent tooth decay (or other teeth-related problems) on kids

[Isty]

Hi, I'm a young mother currently struggling to ensure that my kids brush their teeth correctly (they both have recently had cavities)...I already tried those disclosing tablets but my younger kid (7 years-old) would refuse to apply it daily as part of a routine...I would really like to set an hygiene 'ritual'. Any advices?

• How have you educated your kid(s) to brush their teeth and how do you check that they have done it correctly DAILY? How much time do you spend on this?

Looking forwards to your insights :)

Do you still supervise your youngest when brushing? I would set the rule that if they refuse to disclosing tablets to ensure they are brushing correctly then you will have to supervise.

My children brush first thing when they get up and last before before bed so its embedded in their daily routines, makes it hard to forget.

Giving xylitol (either pastilles or gum) after every meal and snack is an easy way to help with dental health. Also reduce snacking - no grazing. Have meal and snack times set, with enough space between them for the teeth to "recover", my children's dentist says to limit eating to 4 or 5 times a day (so 3 meals and 2 snacks or 4 meals and 1 snack)

I'm not in the Uk, there's no .n.h.s dens it's equivalent. Dentists expect parents to brush and floss their DC's teeth once a day until they're about 10. We took a while to transfer the evening brush to them, watching them, every other day etc. randomly checking with disclosing tablets (nothing sweet until they've used one!)
Agree with a routine, limit snacking

Decay is caused by frequency of sugar intake. Keep anything sugary to meal times only, that includes drinks.
And just keep persevering with the cleaning, sticker charts etc….. When it’s full take them to that nicer park they like …..

Get them to brush their teeth. Then ´check’ they’ve cleaned them properly by brushing them yourself. Definitely appropriate for the 7 year old at least.

I still brush my 7yo’s teeth - wouldn’t trust him to do it properly. Try to limit the sugar intake but tbh I think a lot of it is genetics - some of us have teeth more susceptible to decay than others.

Diet is critical. Diet is the key way to minimise and mitigate decay etc.

The issue is the number of sugar/acidic (ie sugar free cordial etc) during the day. Look at snacking - dried fruit etc stick to the teeth as well as being sugary so are not a good choice. Look at the amounts of snacks. Try and encourage snacking on cheese/veg etc. Some “healthy” drinks such as smoothies are loaded with sugars. If something says no sugar added, that is not the same as having no sugar in it. You could sell no sugar added honey.

With brushing - this has to be (nicely) non negotiable. Make sure you are using a fluoride toothpaste and a small brush as that helps to clean more efficiently small mouthes. Avoid sticky snacks such as raisins etc which are hard to clean off teeth and not good to have stuck to teeth. There are some good apps you can find online to encourage brushing.

This BDA resource gives the best, evidence based info - bda.org/sugar

Not unusual to hear people saying they have “weak” enamel so can’t help decay etc. For anyone prone to decay (which is very mostly diet related) it is even MORE important to follow dietary advice.

Our own rules are only water and milk to be drink at home - juice is ok when out but only with a meal and to be drunk with the meal. Not a fruit shoot to be sipped over two hours. Only exception to juice at home is in the summer when very hot when we will give some weak diluted fruit juice with meals if worried about dehydration/electrolytes as so hot. So that’s only a few days per year.

Basically you just tell them teeth have to be brushed twice a day, when getting up and before bed. I'd help until at least 7 and supervise until 10.
No bribes just get it done.
Regular 6 monthly checkups to reinforce the importance of teeth cleaning and hear positive feedback from the dentist - kids love it.
No sugary drinks - that was the only advice our dentist gave us. It must have worked because ours didn't have any cavities.
My personal preference would also ban raisins or any dry sticky fruit. And no constant grazing- which is easy as kids are usually not grazers.
As they get older they start taking pride in their teeth and look after themselves properly.
Another thing to consider is sealing back teeth if appropriate. You'd need to be sure it is recommended and done by a qualified and experienced dentist as it can not be successful otherwise. Also, only recommended if teeth have naturally deeper 'grooves' where brushing might not be as effective. Amongst our children, only 1 had 1 tooth sealed this way, as other teeth should have be ok to maintain with basic teeth brushing. Basically extra protection while they grow up.

Dentists expect parents to brush and floss their DC's teeth once a day until they're about 10

Starting at what age? Should I be flossing my 2 year olds teeth?

I still brush my 7 year olds once a day. She does the morning brush, electric toothbrush, has to be the full 2 minutes, we check and if not good enough we take over. Bedtime brush is done by us. I have a mouthful of fillings due to lack of parental attention and too much sugar as a child, one thing I won't compromise on.

I still clean my children’s teeth - 9 and 6. The advice from my dentist is to continue cleaning their teeth until 10.

in terms of food I only let them drink milk and water regularly. Very occasionally they drink squash - once a week at the most. I do allow sweet foods but I don’t allow dried fruit outside a meal and I hate any foods that get stuck in the teeth. I wouldn’t allow toffee apples or candy floss for example.

the kids genuinely aren’t bothered. I allow enough crap to keep them happy and neither of them like fizzy drinks anyway.

www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/taking-care-of-childrens-teeth/

NHS advises children can start brushing their own teeth from 7 but should be supervised.

My dc (teens and preteen) have good teeth. They do eat sugary foods but rarely have squash/fizzy drinks/fruit juice also never had raisins etc.

I still brush my 3 and 6 year olds teeth (I'd expect to at those ages though). They both 'have a go' themselves and then I 'check' by doing it properly. I'll do that until they can do a proper job themselves. I don't floss them though, should I be?!

With regard to getting them to do it, in our house it's a non negotiable, same as all aspects of basic hygiene. They refuse, there are consequences. They both have electric toothbrushes which are better than manual. It's part of our morning and bedtime routine, they don't really question it anymore.

Diet is hugely important. Mine aren't allowed fizzy drinks. They have milk, water a couple of times a week, a sugar free squash, very occasionally fresh fruit juice. Water after acidic fruit or juice. Limited sugary junk. Neither eat sweets (they don't like them) but same for chocolate, it's limited.

I'd also scare them straight, frankly. If they've already got cavities then I'd tell them (or show them) exactly what can happen to your teeth if you don't look after them properly. Mine were looking at pictures of smokers mouths and rotten teeth on a poster at the dentists the other week and I told them that that's what their teeth would look like if they didn't brush them properly. They'd go all black, smelly, would be sore and fall out - how yuck is that?

Many thanks ! I "supervise" my 12 years-old kid and I have tried to brush my 7 years-old myself, but honestly I don't know if I am doing it right myself...Am I the only one? 😯

I supervised mine up to about age 9/10 and make sure they're religious about twice daily tooth brushing.

Having said that, I think there's a lot to be said for genetics. I've been VERY slack in the past with my own teeth but they're very strong and no cavities - my husband always has a problem when he goes to the dentist and has had at least one adult extraction and multiple cavities filled.

When you are next at the dentist, ask for advice regarding brushing. The dentist may well be too busy to give more than quick advice but a lot of NHS practices will have a specific nurse who
can spend more time. The issue at the moment is access - there is sadly very little time to devote to this very important preventative issue because there is such a backlog and quite a lot of nurses have come off the register so there is a shortage.

In the meantime, focus on using small circular motions (not backwards and forwards) and concentrate on one area at the time. Make sure you include the back surfaces of the teeth and also brush up to and slightly over the gum line.

Many thanks to you all! I'll buy new toothbrushes this weekend 😀Ideally I'd like that my kids start brushing their theeth also when they eat outside - at the canteen, for instance. Would you recommend a specific tootbrush for the canteen or the same one for all occasions -the one they'll be using at home: electric one ?

You can brush too often. Twice a day is recommended for optimum benefit.

Brushing isn’t recommended immediately after eating when the enamel is softest.

Don't do that, have them chew some xylitol gum or pastilles (if gum isn't allowed, though gum would be better because in the mouth longer) instead to neutralise the acids produced when eating. Having xylitol after lunch at school is part of my kids' school and daycare routines because the effectiveness is well known in my country.