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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

DH brushing 3yo teeth with adult paste

104 replies

Aintthatthetooth · 27/06/2023 08:23

Just that really, turns out that DH has been putting adult Toothpaste on DS 3 toothbrush for over a month now. We have milk teeth Toothpaste in the house which he has been using for the 1 year old, but apparently everytime he's done morning or night teeth brushing over the last month or so he has been using adult Toothpaste on DS3. He said he thought he'd outgrown the baby one. To be clear, he still has all milk teeth, he's 3!
AIBU to think DH is a bit batshit for doing this and needs to stop immediately!?

OP posts:
Beneficialchampion2 · 27/06/2023 10:57

As long as not ingested it will be fine

ffsnotagainandagain · 27/06/2023 11:00

Dentist told us kids should be using adult toothpaste. Spit and don't rinse.

35965a · 27/06/2023 11:01

Just check the fluoride amount on the boxes/tubes. If it’s the same, great, there’s no issue.

Blossomtoes · 27/06/2023 11:02

What do you think we did before specific children’s toothpaste was invented?

RudsyFarmer · 27/06/2023 11:02

Our dentist actually recommends this.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 27/06/2023 12:10

I never bought childrens toothpaste for mine. They just had a smear of adult toothpaste and I supervised them to make sure they spat it out
I used the 3 stripes one for the fun factor!
All three have perfect teeth and no fillings

Emmmmy · 27/06/2023 17:06

Yes, 1,450 ppm is fine from as soon as teeth erupt

Johnisafckface · 27/06/2023 17:42

Yikes, I'm in my 50s and "adult" toothpaste was the only thing available and my teeth are fine. So are my 27 year old daughter's. I never put much on her toothbrush so I guess that makes a difference.

Hugasauras · 27/06/2023 17:51

Almost all the 3+ toothpaste is the same fluoride content as adult toothpaste. The 'kids' part is that the flavour tends to be milder as little kids often don't like the intensity of mint in adult toothpaste. But if yours does then save yourself the bother!

DeathMetalMum · 27/06/2023 17:56

We were told by HV not to use child toothpaste as it doesn't contain enough fluoride. Also to make sure the toothpaste has 14500ppm of fluoride in as not all adult toothpaste even has that amount.

It does depend if you area adds fluoride to water I think.

DeathMetalMum · 27/06/2023 17:58

1450ppm* added an extra zero by mistake.

AP5Diva · 27/06/2023 17:59

The toddler toothpaste only really needs to be used until the child consistently spits out the toothpaste and doesn’t swallow it. It has less flouride in it so that children who swallow toothpaste don’t end up with too much flouride and get crumbly teeth.

Once your child consistently spits, it’s ok and actually better to use regular toothpaste.

FatGirlSwim · 27/06/2023 18:03

My friend who’s a dentist gives her dc fluoride supplements? So I wouldn’t have thought the fluoride in toothpaste is an issue.

I would use normal toothpaste from the start if I had my time again as my dc haven’t accepted it when their big teeth have come through. Being used to the stronger taste would avoid that.

FatGirlSwim · 27/06/2023 18:04

Our dentist gave dc a fluoride treatment at the last visit too?

lemonyfox · 27/06/2023 18:11

My HV and Dentist both told me we should start using adult toothpaste when our toddler was not quite 2, not sure what the problem is

red78hot · 27/06/2023 18:13

At babies 9 month check we were told normal adult toothpaste is best as long as its not sensitive/ whitening etc. Baby toothpastes sometimes don't have enough or any fluoride. We were given toothpaste and Toothbrush.

Simonjt · 27/06/2023 18:17

Three year olds should be using toothpaste with the same fluoride levels as adult toothpaste, a one year old is fine using adult toothpaste. Our dentist and hygienist both advise to use adult toothpaste, rather than lower flouride childrens toothpaste.

veryfluffyfluff · 27/06/2023 18:18

red78hot · 27/06/2023 18:13

At babies 9 month check we were told normal adult toothpaste is best as long as its not sensitive/ whitening etc. Baby toothpastes sometimes don't have enough or any fluoride. We were given toothpaste and Toothbrush.

I was told a baby toothpaste with fluoride was best as its less than in an adults

Toddlerteaplease · 27/06/2023 18:21

He's having his teeth brushed. That's all that matters

Simonjt · 27/06/2023 18:37

BlockbusterVideoCard · 27/06/2023 08:47

If he's only been using a small amount, it's fine. But you need to check to make sure he is, and explain about why the milk teeth toothpaste exists, what the problems are with not using it or using too much of the other, etc. However,

there is perfectly good milk teeth Toothpaste in the bathroom cupboard, why choose the adult one instead of that?

Because he can't be bothered to put as much time and thinking into dealing with child-related stuff as you do and is relatively lazy and incompetent. I bet it's you who does the shopping, takes them to the dentist, actually talksto the dentist, does the planning, isn't it?

He’s so lazy that he uses the appropriate toothpaste for the one year old, then swaps to the appropriate toothpaste for the three year old, rather than using the same one for both.

Luhou · 27/06/2023 18:41

Check the levels of fluroid in you local area. It is reccomended by HV in our local area that you use adult toothpase due to low levels.

MeridaBrave · 27/06/2023 19:57

Totally unreasonable. It’s lower in fluoride. Loads of kids in 1970s had marking on their teeth from using toothpaste with fluoride at adult levels.

Hugasauras · 27/06/2023 19:58

MeridaBrave · 27/06/2023 19:57

Totally unreasonable. It’s lower in fluoride. Loads of kids in 1970s had marking on their teeth from using toothpaste with fluoride at adult levels.

Except the 3+ stuff isn't lower in fluoride. It has the same as adult toothpaste. It's just a milder flavour. The 0-2 stuff is lower fluoride.

chickenwings2 · 27/06/2023 20:16

Aintthatthetooth · 27/06/2023 08:23

Just that really, turns out that DH has been putting adult Toothpaste on DS 3 toothbrush for over a month now. We have milk teeth Toothpaste in the house which he has been using for the 1 year old, but apparently everytime he's done morning or night teeth brushing over the last month or so he has been using adult Toothpaste on DS3. He said he thought he'd outgrown the baby one. To be clear, he still has all milk teeth, he's 3!
AIBU to think DH is a bit batshit for doing this and needs to stop immediately!?

Total overreaction on your part. 3yo should be using proper toothpaste and the baby tbf

FreefallFlight174 · 27/06/2023 20:30

Adults should spit the excess toothpaste out, but not rinse with water afterwards - that way the toothpaste residue is still protecting the enamel on your teeth. My NHS dentist has been very clear on this.

Not sure on current advice for children though - mine are 20-somethings 😄