Live webchat with dentist Dr Anthony Zybutz, Monday 8 Sept, 1-2pm

[GeraldineMumsnet]

Hi, we've got Dr Anthony Zybutz coming in on Monday 8 Sept to talk all things teeth. So if you've got any concerns about your kids' oral health or want to know how to stop the rot in your own teeth, come and join in between 1pm and 2pm. Dr Zybutz, who is an experienced dentist with a practice in Harley St, has two children of his own, aged four and six, so is familiar with the challenge of ensuring children clean their teeth properly.

As always, if you can't make it on the day, please post your questions here in advance and we'll try to ensure as many as possible are answered.

[DrZybutz]

Wilfsell, the first thing is to see a dentist as soon as possible even if that means paying privately. The large cavity can lead to abscess in the jaw causing pain and problems with the future teeth.

How to treat milk teeth will always depend on the severity of the decay, but it is essential to try and keep the teeth in place bearing in mind that this is not always possible. Remember prevention is better than cure.

The milk teeth are extremely important as they guide the permanent teeth into place. It is essential that you institute an oral hygiene routine, which should consist of brusing twice daily, flossing and rinsing with a child-friendly mouthwash. Bacteria left in the mouth can lead to cavities, tartar build up and even gum disease, so it is important that teeth are cleaned effectively.

Diet is also an important factor and there are some excellent tips on Mumsnet with regards to diet and dental health.

[DrZybutz]

Hi Carolt, in reference to your other question regarding minty toothpaste, I suggest letting your eight year old use children's strawberry toothpaste. If you are concerned this isn't providing enough flouride, then I'd recommend supplementing it with a berry flavored all-in-one mouthwash such as Listerine Smart Rinse.

[WilfSell]

Thanks. We do the brush, floss, mouthwash thing now, but was very difficult when he was younger. The molar has already been treated with something temporary but fear it will be more drastic at the next appt in a few weeks time.

Thanks for the advice anyway.

[WilfSell]

Can children younger than 6 use mouthwash?

[JuneBugJen]

Just wondering if you are being sponsered by Listerine Smart Rinse? There are quite a few plugs for it.

[GeraldineMumsnet]

Thanks again to Dr Zybutz and for cramming in a few more answers.

[DrZybutz]

Thanks to everyone who came to chat today. I really appreciate the excellent questions that were proposed and I hope that I managed to answer most of them. As a reminder, my best advice is to go for prevention.

Before I sign-off, remember the routine:

*Brush twice daily with an age appropriate toothpaste
*Start flossing as soon as you can
*Rinse with a child appropriate anti-bacterial fluoride-containing mouthwash. Remember this is only advised for children older than six to prevent swallowing.
*Visit your dentist and dental hygienist on a regular basis

[ladytophamhatt]

Oh, I hadn't thought of an eletric toothbrush!

I'll take him to get one after school...can you all just hope the younger ones don't fight over it!!

Thanks Doc!!

[GeraldineMumsnet]

That's your lot, folks. And, yes, the chat was sponsored by Listerine Smart Rinse, but Dr Zybutz's advice is independent.

[JuneBugJen]

Sorry, that sounded way more snarky than I intended.

I don't mind being sold a product, fully understand that the money to pay for a consultation needs to come from somewhere, I just like to know these things so I can make a correctly informed decision.

[dinny]

sorry, really sceptical, but it's the first time have seen a dentist recommend mouthwash for children....

[sandcastles]

Dinny, couldn't agree more! Is this Smart Rinse m/w alcohol free?

I am very of ANY dentist recc Listerine, actually! They usually don't like it as it is very strong stuff with a high alcohol content which can burn the mouth.

Also, I would not give my child anything that had this on it...

Warnings
Keep out of reach of children. If more than used for rinsing is swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

[sandcastles]

OK, on reading up about it, seems it is alcohol free. Still concerned re warning tho!

[dinny]

I mean, when MN says this chat is sponsored by Listerine, presumably that means the dentist was paid by Listerine to participate?

[JustineMumsnet]

Hi - yes Listerine suggested Dr Anthony Zybutz for the webchat and are, I assume, paying him. He seems to have done a fair bit of media work generally - so he would be a natural choice I guess.
Out of interest we product tested Smart Rinse on MN recently and it seemed to be pretty popular - 75% of testers said they'd recommend it. (My boy loves it and he's a pretty reluctant teeth cleaner but less so now he can have mouthwash afterwards... god listen to me, they should PAY ME )