Who is BU regarding babies and dentists?

[Kayano]

Dd had 2 teeth at 18 weeks and I can see 2 more about to push through.

Very fast and unexpected!

I diligently went and got baby toothpaste and baby toothbrush and brush them twice a day and bought a spare toothbrush for her to hold and play with.

I was at the dentist on Friday (out in 5 mins, no problems!) and took the opportunity to register dd and book her in with me for 6 months time
(NHS dentist - lovely and no problems)

Dh has a cousin who doesn't brush her kids teeth and has said you don't need to bother til they are one! Dh also goes to his old family dentist because he likes them whereas we go to a local one.

His NHS dentist has (annoyingly) told dh that babies do not need to be registered before the age of 2 and not checked before 2.5

So now dh thinks I am pen for cleaning her teeth!

To put this in context his own niece had 6 teeth removed at 2.5!!!! They didn't clean her teeth or register her with the dentist til later on. I am of the opinion that this shouldn't happen and as long as dd has teeth she should have them

1. cleaned
2. checked regularly by a dentist

So who is BU? Me and my dentist or DH and his?

Sock yes you can and DS 19 months still uses it as just sucks the tooth paste. DD uses Childers tooth past since she was old enough to learn not to suck it.

We have always done tooth brushing but DS didn't see a dentist till she was 3 years. DS comes now as we all go together but they can't really check them until they are old enough to follow inductions. Last time he just cried at the dentist not sure is take him if i didn't have to take us all at once.

DS1 has been to the dentist once and he is 6. He brushes twice a day and we were told not to come back until his adult teeth start to come though. They have and so he's due a visit. He also gets checked up at school.

Not sure about England, but in Scotland we have Childsmile. Google it.

Extracted from website -

"Registering with a dentist
Aim to register your baby with a dentist soon after birth or at least as soon as the first tooth appears.

From then on, take your child to the dental practice every six months, or as advised by your dental team.

Taking your baby to the dental practice as early as possible helps your child get used to the sights, sounds and smells of a dental practice."

My DS was registered and went along when he was 6 months old, due for a checkup now which is about a month overdue so will have to make an appointment. We have always brushed his teeth. It's very important to get babies used to having their teeth brushed.

I've even been known to get him in a headlock to brush his teeth.

I still have a double appointment (30 min) in which the dentist checks, me, and my 3 DC (16, 13 and 9). They have been going with me since babies, to get used to the chair etc. and it took several visits until they would open their mouths for the dentist. If they had started later it wouldn't have been easier.

To avoid tooth decay, do avoid putting anything other than Milk into bottles, and move onto cups ASAP. It is also good to try to avoid bottles over night. Milk has sugar in and is often the cause of early decay.

My DS went last month at 11.5 months. I had to argue as they don't normally see children until they're 2.5, but he had chipped a tooth and I wanted them to check it out. He was fine with opening his mouth and quite enjoyed the chair and lights etc. I've been using a fluoride-free toothpaste, but the dentist advised me to switch to one with fluoride.

So for little ones (say my DS who is 9.5 months and first teeth are just appearing - 4 at the same time argh!) should I be brushing or cleaning with a cloth? What do you mean by cloth? Face cloth?

Not doing anything yet as his teeth have only just cracked the surface, but he does enjoy chewing his baby toothbrush whilst I brush my teeth. (he sometimes even manages to get the brush in his mouth rather than the other end proud mummy )

Your husband is BU. but as for your cousin she sounds a bloody fool.

in Scotland we are advised to use a toothpaste with 1000ppm fluoride from when teeth appear as we have no fluoride added to the water

p.s. use a smear of toothpaste for children under 2 and a pea sized amount for over 2's

www.child-smile.org.uk/parents-and-carers/toothbrushing/index.aspx