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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to warn you to check your children's toothpaste?

197 replies

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 04/03/2016 14:37

One of my dc has developed tooth decay. I'll put this straight out there so as not to drip feed. We have been quite careful with dental health and hygeine and couldn't understand why it had happened.

So I checked the kids' toothpaste. It's Dentalux for children 0-6 years, bought in Lidl and it has only half the recommended minimum amount of fluoride for children at 500ppm. NHS say for children between 3-6 years it should "contain more than 1000ppm fluoride".

I'm really cross about this. I think if a product is on sale it should meet at least the minimum standard Angry Angry

So please go and check your children's toothpaste now so you don't end up feeling as shit as I do.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/fluoride

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 04/03/2016 16:12

You should only use a tiny smear of toothpaste for that age to minimise toothpaste swallowing. It can cause fluorosis if excess is ingested

Buzzardbird · 04/03/2016 16:14

Thank you pixie, I abide by this rule but no-one else seems to. Maybe this is another 'not common knowledge' thing?

Molehillfromamountain · 04/03/2016 16:15

I didn't know this either but have never bought toothpaste as our HV gave me about 6 large tubes and brushes when DD was 6 months old...they will last til she's 6!

splendide · 04/03/2016 16:17

I do only use a tiny smear but he definitely swallows what he can. Maybe I should get fluoride free? I don't think I can stop him sooking on the brush really.

dementedpixie · 04/03/2016 16:17

Our water isn't fluoridated in scotland so we need decent fluoride levels in toothpaste to help prevent decay/cavities

ThisCakeFilledIsle · 04/03/2016 16:18

Yes I did use a smear with toddlers.

dementedpixie · 04/03/2016 16:18

He will be taking in a tiny amount. I would not switch to fluoride free. All babies do the same to their toothbrush. As long as they aren't eating it out the tube they will be fine

ThisCakeFilledIsle · 04/03/2016 16:19

In a low fluoride area we were told it is fine for them to swallow a bit.

AlmaMartyr · 04/03/2016 16:20

I had no idea about this, have definitely not been warned by HV or anyone else! DC see a dentist every 6 months who hasn't mentioned it either. DS had to have a tooth out last year after falling over and smashing it. Hospital policy meant that we got a special appointment to talk about caring for teeth (even though there was no decay) and the lovely dental nurse didn't mention it there either although she did recommend that as both DCs were 5 they could start using adult toothpaste.

Thanks for the warning OP!

dementedpixie · 04/03/2016 16:20

Under 3 - smear of toothpaste
3-6 - pea sized blob of toothpaste

LoveBoursin · 04/03/2016 16:22

At 7yo, I was told to use adult toothpaste anyway.

As far as I know, the NHS has some recommended guidelines fore the toothpaste. It's not a level that manufacturers HAVE to meet.
It's up to each of us to look at what we are actually using.

splendide · 04/03/2016 16:24

Thanks Demented

landrover · 04/03/2016 16:25

Im not sure that lack of fluoride is the only reason for tooth decay, to be honest!

diddl · 04/03/2016 16:26

So is water more fluoridated here in Germany I wonder?

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 04/03/2016 16:27

there is always someone who has to be a cunt

Moving
That is a fact! And just for that sentence you can never ever be unreasonable in my book!

Thanks for letting people know.
Sorry you are upset and I hope it's not adult teeth.

monkeymamma · 04/03/2016 16:27

Well there was fluoride added to the water when I were a lass! And erm, yeah, I have tooth decay. My mum took great care with my teeth and all.

Original poster
MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 04/03/2016 16:30

Op "at least its not his adult teeth" no this is a common misperception. Its just as important to keep children's teeth decay free as they maintain space for the permanent dentition.

No shit Sherlock. It was a bit of gallows humour in an upsetting situation. As I say in the op we take dental hygeine and tooth brushing very seriously.

OP posts:
rosebudyblue · 04/03/2016 16:31

Very helpful thread

SmellySourdough · 04/03/2016 16:31

diddl I don't think it is.
but recommendation in germany is to brush for 3 mins after meals wheras in uk it's 2 mins twice a day.
plus in germany nurseries keep toothbrushes and clean after meals.

SmellySourdough · 04/03/2016 16:32

I only know because of lengthy discussions with lentil weaver getman sil

YakTriangle · 04/03/2016 16:34

Wilko's children's toothpaste has 1450, and is less than £1. I've never thought to check before, thanks OP.

diddl · 04/03/2016 16:35

According to Wiki Germany doesn't fluoridate water & only about 10% of UK does.

I don't think that dental decay is a particular problem here though.

Original poster
MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 04/03/2016 16:36

Dentist said I should be brushing his teeth for him until he is 14. Not that I can see that ever actually happening.

Ok that has proper cheered me up it is so batshit crazy 😂😂

OP posts:
shamonts · 04/03/2016 16:36

Dd has dermatitis around her nose and mouth and doctor advised trying fluoride free toothpaste!

Obs2016 · 04/03/2016 16:37

Well done for posting. Ds2 has bad tooth decay because of other issues and weak teeth. Has made me very sad. But I did not know about your point, although I have recently found out the toothpaste we used was fine and not the cause. But well done for bringing to people's attention.