AIBU to get my toddler a scale and polish?

[SpoonyFox]

Hi, my LO is almost 2 and unfortunately has plaque already. This we believe was caused by having milk in the middle of the night. We have now stopped this and it’s been a few months but despite us always brushing LO’s teeth twice a day every day and having a good diet (no sweets or chocolates but does like a lot of fruit) the plaque just isn’t shifting. I’m considering booking LO in for a scale and polish. My husband think I’m being absolutely insane and that LO is far too young for such things but I’m worried that leaving it will cause her teeth to actually decay! Also it doesn’t look nice. I do have a tendency to obsess over things so and I am a highly anxious person so I was just looking for more opinions from others on what they would do? Thank you

What does her dentist think?

Be guided by your dentist. I can’t imagine a reputable one doing such a thing to a small child.

Go to a dentist.

Don’t really know how to use this thing! Dentist agreed she does have plaque but neither of us mentioned a hygiene appointment at the time. I am waiting for a call back from them to see if it’s something they would even do at this age

Seems like you’re doing everything right. But go
get dental advice. Just take her for an advisory examination & see what they say.
You’re jumping the gun a bit.

I’ve been taking ds to the dentist since he was 6 months old. Nothing wrong with it.

I think a toddler is far too wee for a scale and polish? so long as the plaque doesn't lead to decay, I would think it's ok? But, ask your dentist at your next check up.

I take her to the dentist but she’s never had a hygiene appointment before only a check up

What does that have to do with giving toddler a scale and polish?

They're not supposed to be offered before 3, and even then, not unless they're very necessary. Unfortunately, aesthetics is unlikely to be considered a good enough reason.

Was she having cow's milk in the middle of the night? It's unlikely that would be enough to cause a visible plaque build-up. How good is she at brushing her teeth? Does she allow you to brush once she has?

I'd focus on the cause for now, and if you're not sure, take her to the dentist and see what they recommend. I think you can get plaque tablets for smaller children that will help you to make sure they're properly clean, but I'm not sure if they're available at 2.

Yes; you're supposed to take them to the dentist... but that's for a check-up. Babies and toddlers do not typically have hygienist appointments, nor scale and polishes.

I actually asked my dentist the same thing as my 3 year old has a very small amount of plaque which I was absolutely horrified by. I think it's because we were lax about letting him have milk at night. She said he's too young for a scale and polish and not to worry as they are only baby teeth. Her recommendation was just keep up with brushing twice a day, no sugary drinks except as a treat and come for dental appointments every 6 months.

The dentist has to agree to them having one. My 13yr old has a two year prescription to be able to have his teeth cleaned by a hygienist.

Hi, no she was having oat milk. We also were surprised to see she had plaque it’s the only thing we could think of that would be causing it so we have now stopped and she only has water once teeth and brushed. Her diet is pretty good she doesn’t have any sweets or chocolates. Snacks tend to be cheese, Greek yogurt, crumpet which I always make sure to get the lowest sugar one due to this issue. I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong 😫 my friends kids routinely get chocolates and sweets and from what I’ve seen their teeth appear to be perfect

My dc are older teens now...they've been seeing a dentist regularly since they were toddlers. They've never had a hygiene appointment and my dentist has never suggested one. I've never heard of a child seeing a hygienist. You do sound a bit anxious about this

Is your not yet two year old really going to sit still with her mouth open and cooperate for the time it would take, despite the fact it’ll be at least a bit weird feeling and quite possibly uncomfortable or slightly painful?

edit - my kids have occasionally seen a (private) hygienist for a few minutes, as an add on to my appointments, but they were about 8 or 9 when they started and it was more the hygienist giving them some brushing tips and introducing them to the water cleaner thing than a full scale and polish!

I think it's unlikely. I have a fairly placid 2.5 year old who was pretty compliant at the dentist last month, but she wouldn't sit through this.

I know this is another issue if she’d even sit still. She is really good at letting us brush her teeth so possibly. I don’t see how it would be painful though I’ve never experienced any sort of pain seeing a hygienist

A toddler is way too young for that kind of treatment - especially if they're awake. Those instruments are sharp and could cause a lot of pain if she wriggled or talked or cried.

How good is she at brushing her teeth? she’s going to be rubbish. A 2 year does not have the manual dexterity to be brushing her own teeth. Parents should be supervising or doing it for them up until around the age of 10.
A 2 year old is NOT going to be able to tolerate having their teeth professionally cleaned and I would not contemplate doing it for a second.

No 2 year old that I have ever met would tolerate the noise, discomfort and drowning sensation of a scale and polish. It would be an ideal way to put them off dentist appointments for life!

@Comedycook My older teen has had a couple of hygienist appointments on dentist advice. It gave him a much needed kick up the bum to put more effort into proper brushing that he wasn't going to take from me!

Yeah she doesn’t brush her own teeth well she does at the end but we will brush them properly first. She’s really good at lying down and letting us do it as she gets to choose something to watch on my phone. She lets ye use an electric toothbrush too so I’m thinking is a polish so different? Maybe not the scale

As a nanny, I can pretty much guarantee that there’s not a 2 year old that exists, who would manage to have this done. Sorry op, keep doing what you’re doing. Does she eat dried fruit?

No never has dried fruit im really quite careful with sugar intake. She did used to enjoy soreen but again we’ve stopped that due to the sugar content of it.

No real advice over the hygienist appointment at her age but want to point out: you might not be doing anything wrong.

I use a water flosser, an electrical toothbrush, a manual toothbrush, mouthwash & interdental flossers twice a day every day, and plaque disclosing tablets twice a week. I still have to go and have build up removed every 3-4 months. My issues are caused my genetics, and having too much calcium in my saliva. Nothing can be done to change that, other than frequent cleanings & my extensive dental routine. My dentist has agreed I’m not doing anything wrong, and has remarked that he and my hygienist also have trouble reaching some of my teeth because my jaw is so small, my teeth are actually too big for it, and have grown in very tightly squished. Braces are not an option due to other issues.

Sometimes you can do everything you can, but luck screws you over 🙈