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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To still brush my DC's teeth?

61 replies

upsideup · 16/03/2018 22:55

3,4,8,10 years and I brush all their teeth, oldest two I will let try but will always do a bit after.
DD(10) is on a sleepover and I'm already imagining she hasnt brushed them properly and I will have to do it again when she gets home in the morning.

When did you stop?

OP posts:
MrsSchadenfreude · 16/03/2018 22:58

You brush your 8 and 10 year olds' teeth? ShockShockShock

Will you be changing tampons for them in a couple of years, or putting condoms on for them in their late teens?

NobodyKnowsTiddlyPom · 16/03/2018 22:59

My dentist recommended brushing their teeth myself (although letting them have a go) until they were 9. I stopped when they were 7 or 8 - but will give them a good brush every 2 or 3 weeks at night if I think they need them. What I do buy for them are those disclosing tablets that colour the teeth (showing tartar and plaque) so they can see where they need to clean.

PrettyLittIeThing · 16/03/2018 22:59

Actually laughed out Loud at putting on consoms

alwaysonadiet1 · 16/03/2018 22:59

Ages 5 and 8, they do two minutes themselves then I do an extra minute each. Dentist said to brush their teeth as long as they would allow me to. A night off won’t harm though.

PrettyLittIeThing · 16/03/2018 23:00

Condoms*

WatchoutDSisdriving · 16/03/2018 23:00

ShockShock it is not normal to brush a 10yo teeth. Check their brushing fine but when do you plan to stop??

GoldenHefalump · 16/03/2018 23:00

Mine are 7 and 10...can't even remember the last time tbh.

CadyHeron · 16/03/2018 23:00

My 10 year old's been doing his teeth by himself for a few years now.
I think it was up until the age of around 7 - I cleaned his teeth every day up until then and then he started doing them himself with me supervising to make sure he was doing it properly. Smile
By 8 and 10 they should really be learning to do it themselves, but the 3 and 4 year old I'd definitely be still doing for them as still too young and not old enough to trust to do properly.

Applesandpears23 · 16/03/2018 23:02

YABU.
My daughter is just 4 and I let her have a first go and she does a pretty good job. I am thinking of stoping and letting her do it in the next year or two. Do your older two have special needs or physical impairments? Do you wash them in the bath still? I expect the older one will want you to stop brushing their teeth very soon. Have you seen those special tablets that dentist use to turn the plaque blue. You could get some of those and teach your kids how to brush properly if you are worried.

Greenyogagirl · 16/03/2018 23:02

I do my 8 year olds but he’s severely autistic, I’d imagine if there’s no special needs kids would be more than capable of doing it themselves?

alwaysonadiet1 · 16/03/2018 23:02

Dental decay very common though so what’s wrong with trying to prevent it?

MissClareRemembers · 16/03/2018 23:03

I sometimes brush my 11 year old’s teeth. But he has severely overcrowded teeth and they are really tricky to clean.

Original poster
upsideup · 16/03/2018 23:03

Right I guess I'm doing it wrong then! Our dentist has always said that you should do it untill they are atleast 8.
Like I said the older two do it but then I take the toothbrush and finish off but maybe I am going to stop that

OP posts:
Allthewaves · 16/03/2018 23:04

Mine 4,6,9 all.have electric toothbrushes. I supervise brushing (usally do the 4 yr old). Then if they havnt brushed properly then I do a quick brush.

Read somewhere that we should supervise brushing until 14

Sparklesocks · 16/03/2018 23:04

How will they ever learn if mummy always does it for them?

gingercat02 · 16/03/2018 23:04

Our dentist recommends you help with brushing until at least 10

WeAllHaveWings · 16/03/2018 23:06

is It just teeth or do you still cut up their food, wipe their bums, don’t let them make a sandwich, put their washing away etc.

If it’s just teeth and they are otherwise fairly independent I wouldn’t worry about it. If it’s much morethen you are doing them no favours babying them.

CadyHeron · 16/03/2018 23:09

My daughter is just 4 and I let her have a first go and she does a pretty good job. I am thinking of stoping and letting her do it in the next year or two.

See, age 5 is a bit different to age 8 and 10 - the few years age difference I'd say would make a difference as to when to stop doing it as 5 /6 still really need supervising. Fine to start them doing it themselves, but I'd say they still need guidance.

AnnieAnoniMouse · 16/03/2018 23:09

Most dentists recommend doing them for them until they’re 8/9 or older if they’re not nsssibely objecting.

Our dentist recommended a good brain electric toothbrush & showed them how to use it properly. Those, the occasional surprise disclosing tablet and twice yearly appointments are good enough for me.

CadyHeron · 16/03/2018 23:10

Read somewhere that we should supervise brushing until 14

14?! Surely that's a typo. WTAF Grin

bebanjo · 16/03/2018 23:10

My 11 year old has been brushing her own teeth since she was old enough to hold the brush.
I helped her tell she was about 5, got some disclosure tablets for her to see what she had missed.
I've not been involved since then.
She has no fillings, never had a tooth out and never had toothache.
She sees the dentist every 6 months, never been told they they need better brushing.

branstonbaby · 16/03/2018 23:11

I always check my kids teeth.

UnicornRainbowColours · 16/03/2018 23:13

My two year old brushes her teeth herself. Granted I have a go too as she’s little but wow

MegBusset · 16/03/2018 23:14

I still help with DS2 who's nearly nine. He has rubbish enamel (through no fault of his / my own) so his teeth need extra care and although he has a good go, it's easy for bits of food to get stuck. So I give them an extra scrub at the end just to make sure.

Couldn't give a toss if some people see that as babying him. Would rather that than subject him to lots of avoidable dental treatment

He's already had to have one filling, again due to the condition of his enamel. It was horrible to watch him have to go through that so will avoid repeating it if at all possible!

Cocktailismyfavouritefilm · 16/03/2018 23:17

I do my 6 (nearly 7) year olds 50% of the time. About 6 months ago it was 90% of the time. He's my youngest of three. The older 2 I stopped when they were 5ish and even then I'd only do it occasionally. My youngest is a different child though. He is easily distracted. He gets distracted by his own reflection, decorating the bathroom with toothpaste, drinking from the tap etc. When he does put the tooth brush in his mouth he ends up spitting out most of the toothpaste before he's even brushed his teeth properly!! Even if I stand there watching him or telling him what to do, if he's not in the mood he will just do what he feels like. He is getting better at it though but a few nights a week I will still do it for him, then I know his teeth are clean.

Ultimately I think it depends on the child. If your child doesn't brush their teeth properly then do it for them!! But obviously encourage them to do it themselves!