4 year olds teeth.... plaque? build up...

[morninggirl]

ds is 4 now... and while his teeth are brushed by me twice a day with age appropiate toothpaste and a battery toothbrush (sometimes with a regular one too if he's tired) and he has a 'practice' brush on his own too. i've noticed some build up on his teeth which concerns me none the less, the dentist seems unbothered by it. i'm careful with what he eats and drinks when as i know all too well how costly dental repair work can be!

is it normal? it's not horrible looking or even super noticable (not that i worry about that, the health of his teeth is my prime concern). is there something else we could be doing?

thanks in advance

my ds gets this too and again our dentist doesn't bat an eyelid and scraps it off. Ds is now nearly 7 and we've tried alsorts of different brushes and techniques but it still builds up on his inner lower front teeth. he hardly has anything sugary and he brushes his teeth twice a day. I or dh have a quick go afterwards paying particular attention to that area because of this.

hmm maybe i'll mention to the dentist if he could scrap it off..the thought of him having to get a cavity drilled at his age just worries me...

since i've noticed the build-up, we've added an extra minute to brushing (ds doesn't mind since he gets a sticker at the end of it!)

My dentist has told me not to use a battery operated toothbrush on ds until he's older because they can't use it properly and it is damaging his gums. Maybe your ds has the build up because of the same thing. Have you tried a disclosing tablet after he brushes to see if he has missed any bits? should be safe, just make sure he spits it out.

hmm.. good point, i did notice tonight the new battery toothbrush we have seems a bit big for ds's mouth.

he's not really able to spit it out yet, he tries, but ends up swallowing it first...

put a target in the sink and have spitting practice first. It's a start! The disclosing tablets show areas missed by toothbrushing. I would also try a smaller manual toothbrush. Are you supervising him as he brushes? If you brush at the same time, this can help, as does a kitchen timer. Battery operated tooth brushes are adult sized. Even the ones aimed at children are too big for little mouths. I'm a student paeds nurse and have seen alot of parents fall into this trap so it's not just you. I would let him rush, if you brush your teeth at the same time then go over his after, this should help. If you stand behind him, lean his head back so you can see and give them a re-clean then this will help alot.

Hope all is OK.

practice sounds like a good idea. i could draw a 'target' in the sink with one of his bath crayons! great idea! thank you

he has one of the 3+ battery toothbrushes and also a 2-6? (i think the range is, not sure as i'm not downstairs) manual toothbrush, i let him brush first and then i 'finish' them. i brush too. (he used to 'help' me too, but he doesn't anymore)...
we talk about how brushing is important for healthy teeth like good food is important for a healthy body.

thank you

You're welcome. She smaller the head the better, it gives them more control as it's hard for them to brush with small hands and no control. It sounds like you are already doing a good job. Try not to worry, just try the smaller toothbrush.

You're welcome. She smaller the head the better, it gives them more control as it's hard for them to brush with small hands and no control. It sounds like you are already doing a good job. Try not to worry, just try the smaller toothbrush.

nods... we'll get another one tomorrow. he loves picking a new toothbrush anyway! thanks again

No problem. I hope it works.