To think this is stupid at best, borderline neglect at worst?

[Giratina]

Just seen an acquaintance on Facebook who sells that awful aloe Vera stuff post a picture of their young child holding a tube of this aloe Vera toothpaste saying how much the child loves it. AIBU to think it's bloody stupid to give a child toothpaste which contains no fluoride and she is possibly setting the poor child up for dental problems in the future. If adults want to use the stuff then whatever, that's up to them but I don't think it should be given to children.

You are very correct. Fluoride is crucial in children.

Well no, it's not neglect, but anyone selling aloe shit should be removed anyway!

She probably thinks it's more natural and better than usual toothpaste so it's definitely not borderline neglect!

I'm sure the dentist will correct her at the next check up so I wouldn't worry too much.

Think you should look up the word " neglect".

This is you clickbaiting, yes?

Interesting. Neglect is to 'Fail to care for properly'.

Through not following guidelines and using a child's toothpaste aren't they doing as good as not brushing their children's teeth?

You could argue that they are indeed putting their child at higher risk of dental issues in the future which could lead to surgery.

She's probably been brainwashed though.

Nope not click baiting and yes I think failing to take care of your child's dental hygiene by using this snake oil shit instead of a real toothpaste is a form of neglect if the child has to suffer painful treatment in the future such as tooth extraction that was entirely avoidable.

Sorry to ask but isn't it a bit more complex than that with dental hygiene? Fluoride is to protect against dental enamel demineralisation which is especially bad if you eat a diet high in sugars (including starches etc). She could be fluoridating through diet and want to avoid too much but not giving flouridated toothpaste. Toothpaste without fluoride still helps to clear food debris from the mouth so it's not snake oil, it's just not re-in forcing the enamel as flouridated toothpaste does. Does she live in one of the areas where it's added to water? My mum is a bit.... Well, she believes in homeopathy, which I don't at all- we had unflouridated toothpaste as kids, and very little sugar, and I have no fillings at age 30 plus. Tbh I don't know enough about it but I don't think you can leap to full on neglect without knowing more....

I doubt the child even likes it. It's just a pic

My aloe Vera loving shit for brains posted a pic of her 12 month old nephew with her delivery saying

'Even

People who think fluoride is bad for your teeth are mental. My friend tried to sell me forever living toothpaste and it is utter utter cack.

I have a few patients who refuse fluoride, it's a neurotoxin they say, even when their 3 year old has decay they refuse to accept it will strengthen their teeth. I can only provide the information as the parent they have the choice....

Loons

Honestly, fluoride isn't that bloody important. And it's in the water anyway. I am glad that there are people who are so oblivious to what neglect is though, in some ways. It's a lot worse than what brand of toothpaste you use, strangely.

Fluoride helps to prevents cavities, it is not an essential ingredient for clean teeth. One of my teacher's father was a dentist and he used baking soda to clean his teeth everyday for his whole life, not toothpaste and never had a cavity. Cleaning properly after eating and avoiding eating between brushing, as well as flossing and using a slightly abrasive paste is more important than fluoride.

I hardly think this is neglectful.

The nu skin one is actually called fluoride toothpaste no idea if it actually has it in but I presume so since its illegal to name it that otherwise.

Neglect? Hardly.

Why isn't fluoride important fusion confusion? It helps to reduce tooth decay so surely anything that helps protect people (kids or adults) against unnecessary suffering or pain is important?

Thing- Lets hope the aloe vera lovers are paying the same attention to their kids diet as your DM did!

Hackedabove- I share your pain, thank goodness I don't tend to treat children anymore, this response used to drive me bonkers as I felt pretty powerless. Poor kids.

Fluoride is not in the water in most areas, I think it's only in 10% of the country.

For some children/people fluoride can be crucial in saving their teeth from extraction.

It massively reduced decay when introduced. Unfortunately though if your diet is high sugar you will still get decay regardless of how vigilant you are at brushing with a decent fluoride toothpaste.

Well, it largely depends on whether she is in a fluoridated area - we're not and are constantly (and I do mean constantly) reminded by all and sundry to use fluoride toothpaste right from the first appearance of the first tooth.

If there is already fluoride in the water, it isn't exactly neglectful...

I have a friend who does the same thing and it drives me insane. I hate all this aloe crap anyway but I can't bear to think she's using it on her kids teeth as well.

www.bda.org/childprotection/Recognising/Pages/Dental-neglect.aspx

The British Dental Association certainly consider that failure to appropriately look after your child's teeth can fall into the category of neglect. I am not saying it is in this case as it is possible to have good teeth without fluoride in toothpaste (although I would have thought much harder). There are relatively few areas of the country with sufficient fluoridation of the water supply to make a fluoride containing toothpaste less necessary.

The no fluoride family thankfully now see my colleague so he gets that joy.

Although my patient who has wisdom teeth growing through with caries which I did think was strange admitted to using a fluoride free toothpaste.
Alarm bells rang with her when she declined a white filling that leaches out fluoride to stabilise the erupting lower wisdom teeth.

Fluoride in the water works if they drink it, what about the ones who only drink fizzy drinks etc?

Stupid yes. Neglect? Calm down!

One of my fb friends does exactly the same. Pics of smiling DC brushing with that aloe shit and drinking the gels. You'd think she was an idiot except she's a smart girl with a good science degree. It makes you realise just how good these companies must be at brainwashing.