ANY DENTISTS OUT THERE?

[Ineedmorechocolatenow]

Having been thoroughly confused by my dentist at my last visit, I'd like to ask others' opinions.

Have been using toothpaste (Aquafresh milk teeth one age 0 - 3)for DS (3.6) and DD (1.2) that has 1000 ppm flouride in it. Went to buy Colgate (for age 2-4) for DS and noticed that it had 500 ppm flouride in it.

Asked the dentist about whether I should be using 500 or 1000ppm for a three year old. He looked surprised that there was one with 1000ppm for kids and that all kids should use 500ppm, even from 6 months.

Most of the brands I could find used 1000ppm for babies, but managed to find a Boots own one that had 500ppm.

Had a brief look on t'internet and it looks as though my dentist is talking tosh. Kids under age of 6 should use one that has 1000ppm.

AAGH!!

Advice needed please

The current guidelines are 1000ppm for under 6 years. This is Department of Health current recommendations which changed a few years ago. For some reason the toothpaste manufacturers haven't all caught up; aquafresh is correct your dentist isn't

Thanks for that MillyMollyMandy - will stick to the 1000ppm one. It's all so confusing!

I have mottling on my teeth due to too much fluoride when I was little. I didn't want the DC to get the same thing on their teeth.

I'll have to let my dentist know...

We use 1000ppm toothpaste too. We are in Scotland and that is what we are advised to use - a smear for under 2's and pea sized blob for over 2's.

I second what Seona is saying remember children can't spit properly until they are over 6 so some toothpaste will be swallowed, you want a pea size or less to stop the mottling in adult teeth.

Sorry to hi-jack a bit but it is toothpaste related.

My 2.8 year old just won't spit, in fact she sucks the toothpaste off the toothbrush as soon as it's in her mouth

It drives me mad as I know you're not supposed to but I can't get her to stop.

By the way, she only gets one opportunity to do it, once the toothpaste is gone we do not reapply it.

My previous DC were fine with spitting but my wee lady won't spit (can't blow her nose either, in case it's of any relevance).

Any advice?

Try getting her to practice spitting a mouthful of water into the sink. And always brush your teeth with her so she sees what you do.

DS was exactly as you describe your DD (with the exception of blowing his nose - he'd do that on my clothing if I wasn't careful ). He suddenly got good at spitting around 4 months ago (he's just 3).

Thank you, I'll give that a go.

I thought that it depended on wheter there is fluoride in the water, which there isnt round here. I use milk teeth (1000ppm) for dd2 aged 11mo, and the next one up (1450 ppm) for dd1 who is nearly 4. have i buggered her adult teeth?

DS also finds it hard to spit out the toothpaste. He likes to swallow it. I'm going to try out the mouthful of water trick with him...

Sorry for the delay in replying I've sumarised the DoH guidelines below. They apply in fluoridated and non fluoridated areas. The Department of Health have issued guidelines regarding toothpaste use in children. They now recommend that under the age of three all children should be using 1,000 ppm - parts per million - fluoride toothpaste and over the age of three they should use adult strength toothpaste.

?From 6 months of age infants should be encouarged to drink from a cup. From the age of 1 year feeding from a bottle should be discouraged.
?Sugar should not be added to weaning foods.
?Parents should brush or supervise toothbrushing up to the age of 7 years.
?As soon as teeth erupt into the mouth brush them twice a day. Ideally
last thing at night and one other time.
?The child should spit out the toothpaste but not rinse.
?Children under 3 should have no more than a smear of tooth paste
on their brush. For those under the age of 7, no more than a
pea sized amount.
?Sugar free medicines should be used whenever possible.
?Consumption of sugary food and drinks should be reduced and limited to mealtimes.
?Sugars should not be consumed more than four times a day.
?If your child is wearing a brace they should use a fluoride mouthrinse daily (0.05% NaF) at a different time to brushing. They should also consider using a oscillating/rotating power toothbrush.

If you are unsure how much fluoride is contained in your toothpaste, it is written on the side of the tube or packet. It may be in two forms sodium monofluorophosphate and sodium fluoride. The total fluoride content is the sum of the two added together in parts per million.

Thanks for the reply MillyMollyMandy. When it says 'adult strength toothpaste' after 3, what is the recommended strength in ppm?

1450 ppm