Not taken dc to the dentist for a few years. Just booked them in and feeling terrible.

[bigblueballoon]

Initially it was because I struggled to get them there (no car) then as time went by I kept putting it off as I felt so bad about not taking them (no logic I know but sort of in denial.) I am so anxious about it now. Worried they will have something wrong with their teeth and also worried about what the dentist will say to me. They are 11 and 13 and they do brush twice a day but I feel like the worst mum in the world.

It’s not great but you’re taking them there now and that’s the best you can possibly do, so well done.

I don't drive either but have to take 2 buses to the dentist- can you not do that?

Well at least you're doing something about it now, but the best way to be organised is to book the next appt as you leave. Then it's done and in the diary. Also, if you can afford a £20-£30 electric toothbrush (loads on offer right now) and a pack of heads, it will be the best thing you could do for them.

We are lucky in the UK to have access to (if theres one local to you with spaces) free dental care for kids. You can't change the past so make sure that from now on you take them every 6 months. Fortunately they brush twice a day so hopefully nothing to worry about.

As an aside, a friend of mine never took her kids to the dentist. Youngest ended up having to have 5 taken out in one go at the dental hospital. 7 years later kid too scared to go back, zero dental routine at home and so kid has orange/Brown teeth with horrible plaque built up over years.

If it helps I haven’t taken my 7 year old since she was three. I even missed an appointment and have ended up signing up to a new dentist entirely in my shame.

dont beat yourself up about it. i have a phobia of the dentist so struggle taking mine.

At least you haven't waited until they are in pain with an abscess.

You've done well to get them into a routine of good dental hygiene. The visit to the dentist will be fine and will encourage you to take them regularly from now on.

Ignore the judgey posters on here.

Dont worry ! A couple of years isnt so bad. I have been a dentist for 26 years. Never judge , just happy to see kids and try and encourage good brushing but most important part of the appointment is the opportunity to talk about diet. I try to identify any areas of high sugar intake and gently help them to change . Hopefully your visit will be a good one!

Not taking your children to the dentist regularly is neglect, Theres no excuse apart laziness on your part.

Make another appt whilst you are they, so you don't keep putting it off at home.

I didn't go to the dentist as a child and my teeth were fine . Having said that the sooner they go the better. No point beating yourself up now but the point is to address the issue asap.

What's done is done. No point beating yourself up about it. You've booked an appointment now. Just make sure you book the next one whilst you're there and keep going back. We'll done for sorting it out op.

Funny how the most understanding post here has been from an actual dentist!

You're doing what needs to be done now OP, please don't beat yourself up.

Don't worry now just go for it. Rechargable Electric tooth brushes are great if you can afford them. Also those little interdental sticks for flossing

MN mystery no. 267 - when someone says they find something difficult and feel bad about it why are there always pps who think a telling off is appropriate and / or helpful?

Frankly I think that’s shit parenting. There’s more to dentistry than keeping your teeth clean, what about if one of them needed braces or other orthodontic treatment and you’ve just delayed their treatment by months/years by not taking them? I hope you keep them in a good routine going forward. I’m probably annoyed as my mum was the same as you, so I had to register with a dentist myself at 15 and at that point I had problems with teeth grinding/locking and loads of wear to my teeth, which could have been avoided if I went to a dentist earlier.

Not taking your children to the dentist regularly is neglect, Theres no excuse apart laziness on your part

Wow, that's really supportive.

IMO going every 6 months is OTT anyway, if you follow a good hygiene routine and diet, you shouldn't have any issues. My kids go once a year, and have never had any dental work at all. Quick 5 mins in and out, so always feel we have wasted our time actually. However, better safe than sorry, so now you are going, you can hopefully be reassured that your DC's teeth are in good order. Good luck.

You can't change the past now - definitely don't let guilt make you too embarrassed to take them.

I went 10 years without seeing a dentist. When I was finally able to overcome my fears and book my first appointment it was so much easier than I expected. I didn't get any lectures at all, only sympathy, advice and a good treatment plan - amazingly I needed only the same two small fillings I'd been told I needed 10 years earlier (that had been the cause of me being too scared to go back!), as well as a couple of of cosmetic repairs to chipped teeth. It's quite possible your children's teeth will be in good shape.

In my experience, of being g a bit crap and fearful of dentists, both as a person and as a parent, the dentists themselves will be lovely to you. They’ll be happy you’re there, getting them seen.

Make sure to book the next appointments on the way out.

I recently got everyone back with the 6 month programme, partly so they didn't end up dental phobic like myself. Neither child has any cavities or issues now (my youngest had cavities when younger which we had treated, but then didn't visit as often as would have been ideal). Both need braces so it's really important to have clean teeth. I've even started going myself every year, after over 20 years not going. I'm keeping it up and feel like if I did need treatment, there would be a way to do it. I don't like the dentist but given I'm now in there at least 4 and sometimes 10 times a year with braces for my children, it's becoming more familiar.

Also- at 11 and 13, they need checking for braces and to go on waiting lists, so this is an ideal time to take them in.

Don't bother about the past- just go forward from now on, our new dentist is lovely, they text us reminders as well so appointments are never forgotten, also if your children do need treatment like crowns/braces, these are free in some cases under 16, so it's better to have the work done now. One of mine has had a free crown.

Orchiddingme
I like your post. Good advice

The introduction of fluoride in toothpaste has greatly reduced the levels of disease in children. However there are massive inequalities. Most disease and decay is concentrated in children from lower socioeconomic groups. A.though middle class raisin givers have a lot to answer for.

So if you have followed good oral hygiene and avoided a sugary diet, they should be ok. It’s a preventable disease.