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Behaviour/development

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Original poster

milk before bed after toothbrushing, not that bad?

15 replies

Gemzooks · 21/02/2009 19:10

My DH has read something on the internet about 'bottle rot' and is now adamant that DS has to brush his teeth after his beaker of milk at bedtime, not before in the bath.

I think this is rubbish, if it was juice or a piece of fruit or something, I could see the link, but if milk is bad, why don't breast or formula fed babies have rotten teeth from day one?

any knowledge on this?

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bodiddly · 21/02/2009 19:13

I think it is supposed to be bad but ds still has a cup of milk in bed every night. It helps relaxes him so he can sleep.

Simplysally · 21/02/2009 19:15

I make my dd clean her teeth after her milk but I have had this argument with my sister - she maintains milk after brushing is fine. I say nothing else but water after brushing.

It's probably just a good habit to develop teeth brushing last of all in the bedtime routine.

mrsdisorganised · 21/02/2009 19:16

Milk does contain natural sugars....I think really you only need to worry if the baby is going to bed with a bottle and it stays in the mouth most the night as a 'comfort'. I don't think you really need to worry about one beaker before bed.

BusyBeeWithThree · 21/02/2009 19:24

No no no - you need to clean there teeth after the milk says she with ds7 with two fillings in back milk teeth

BusyBeeWithThree · 21/02/2009 19:24

"their" teeth oops!

BusyBeeWithThree · 21/02/2009 19:26

"their" teeth oops!

Weegle · 21/02/2009 19:29

milk has sugar in it - lactose - therefore it is good practice to brush teeth after milk. However, I'm sure I read it is neutral and not acidic and therefore not as harmful as something like a biscuit...

piscesmoon · 21/02/2009 19:32

I would only have water after cleaning teeth-nothing else.

hobnob57 · 21/02/2009 19:51

Doesn't matter if it's acidic - it's the natural bacteria which feed off the milk in the mouth which produce the acids.

I started milk before teeth time just before dd was 2, when I thought she'd be ok about going to bed without the milk and cuddle combination.

FWIW I have a relative who's son has totally rotten front teeth (from age 2) who was still breastfeeding whilst co-sleeping a lot during the night. The dentist blamed his teeth on that

Decena · 22/02/2009 19:56

I have always been told that milk contains a form of sugar and teeth should always be brushed. The reason that babies do not get terrible teeth is that they don't get teeth until such time as they are being weaned/reduced milk etc and the few months that a baby may take a BF at bedtime is minimal and won't cause a problem. But continuing to have milk without brushing may. It also depends on the child, some have naturally stonger and more resistant teeth that others.
But definitely brush!

Grammaticus · 22/02/2009 19:59

Milk before teeth. Course, mine didn't get teeth till 12 months which made it easier to do!

brazenhussy · 22/02/2009 21:19

I have no medical knowledge of this whatsoever but all 4 of my DC had bottles of milk after teethbrushing til they were approx 3 years old and none of them have suffered, in fact they haven't a filling between them.

I am very hot on dental hygiene in every other way though

HTH x

littleboysblue · 22/02/2009 21:22

Milk does contain sugars of some kind (lactose?) so really teeth should be brushed after, but my ds has always had his teeth brushed in the bath and had milk after

littleboysblue · 22/02/2009 21:22

Milk does contain sugars of some kind (lactose?) so really teeth should be brushed after, but my ds has always had his teeth brushed in the bath and had milk after

flaminhell · 22/02/2009 21:41

My dentist has told me this, I believe her she is a dentist.

It apparentley softens enamel or something of the sort, not to sure but will ask when next there. Im not sure now though if its you should leave time after last drink until you brush, yes that is it I think, the milk can soften the enamel and if you brush immeadiatley you can damage the teeth.

Im going to google.

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