or just a bit arsey in wanting to correct misinformation in son's homework re toothbrushing?

[jasper]

Ds has as part of his homework

Rearrange the following in order.

1)Rinse your mouth with water and spit
2)Put toothpaste on brush
3)Brush teeth up and down

Now apart from being ridiculously simple for nine year olds the issue I have is with the instruction to rinse your mouth.
For maximun effect you should NOT rinse your mouth, especially before bedtime.

I was tempted to write a note to this effect but my 9 yo effectivey told me not to embarrass him , and to get a life.

Your comments please

That's what I had, and my teeth are beautifully aligned (even though I say so myself) and my wisdoms came through with no probs. I feel so much better now, I was so worried about her having to go through so much potential trauma, but really do believe you are spot on with your diagnosis. Thank you. I will be copying and pasting this chat ready for Thursday's appointment.
Rach x.

Rach I am so glad to be of help.
I love my job and am passionate about children's teeth.I love to discuss it with others who care, because sadly where I work many parents just don't care at all or else thay have such sad chaotic lives their kids' teeth are not a priority.

When my beautiful son's first molars came through deformed looking I was gutted! I awaited with trepidation the eruption of his front teeth in case it was something that would affect all his teeth.

The lower front ones are a bit blotchy but the top ones are fine apart from a couple of small yellow flecks.

At work it is VERY common to see newly erupted dodgy first molars, followed by all other teeth being perfect.
I have even wondered if mother nature designed first molars as disposable!

Jasper, in your opinion as a dentist, would having fluoridated water help for those of us who like to rinse after cleaning our teeth? (Apparently the water in the US has added fluoride and I've heard there's talk of introducing this to the UK as well.) Thanks!

Another question for you Jasper (you'll regret starting this thread!!), would you brush your teeth before or after breakfast? This is a bone of contention between dh and I. Thanks

I think Mumsnet should give Jasper the job of resident dental consultant.

can you tell me why dd's new teeth have come through discolored (yellow) and can anything be done about it

thankyou

ooh how interesting! I had loads of molars out at about 8/9 and my teeth are straight. Why don't dentists do that now then?

Hehe, I had four teeth out as a straightening measure when I was little and the rest of my teeth have remained resolutely crooked.

My best friend has never had a single piece of dental work done She's been seeing the same dentist since she was five; the poor woman practically begs her to allow the odd filling now and again, just to relieve the boredom

I have never heard that you shouldn't rinse after brusing. So you leave the toothpaste on your teeth?

Louise2004 some water in the UK already has added flouride.

See this map... clicky

It was started in the UK in 1955 in Watford, Kilmarnock and part of Anglesey. Various tests sites have been used and some are no longer recieving added fluoride e.g. Anglesey. Part of the reason is that the water companies are fearful of litigation.

Thanks LobstersLass - intersting link!

lol Jasper you should start your own "surgery" thread all questions answered

I'll pop my own in quick before anyone noticed I sneaked one in. When I was pregnant I was talking and somehow managed to bash my teeth together, they crossed over at gap in the middle of my front teeth, IYSWIM. Since then one of my top teeth is pointing slightly back and it's slightly irritating. Will it ever go back on it's own or am I stuck with teeth out of line? (I did think of trying to do it again next time I'm pregnant )

Typing this I remembered I did something similar as a toddler. I fell and smacked my mouth on the arm of a heavy chair. My front tooth pierced my lip and was pointing so far back it looked like I had a gap. OH just looked at my lip and said it's on the side to the one that points back now.