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Parenting

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Original poster

Oral hygiene to stop cavities

19 replies

DentistDad · 25/12/2017 00:24

I am interested in how parents are going about encouraging their children to brush their teeth correctly and for the correct length of time?

I am a Qualified UK Dentist and have seen that this can be a problematic task for some children leading to tooth decay. I am seeking some parental experience to inform me how:
1 you currently engage your child to brush
2 what are the best things you find work

I am developing a free app for parents to use to help make this fun for kids

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

grandolddukeofyork · 27/12/2017 12:59

I buy my child (3.5) lots of fun toothbrushes, he has his own wash bag and a couple of tubes of toothpaste so when it comes to brushing he gets to choose which toothbrush which toothpaste to use etc which I feel helps him feel engaged. I let him do some brushing on his own then insist on doing some myself especially if he's eaten anything unhealthy that day. Once in the morning and again before bed so it's part of their routine.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 27/12/2017 13:06

Nag. Nag. Nag some more.

Mine are 12 and 16 and try dodging it as they find it boring. They have electric brushes and we've always done teeth brushing straight away when they get up and just before bed.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 27/12/2017 13:06

Nag. Nag. Nag some more.

Mine are 12 and 16 and try dodging it as they find it boring. They have electric brushes and we've always done teeth brushing straight away when they get up and just before bed.

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DrMadelineMaxwell · 27/12/2017 13:06

Nag. Nag. Nag some more.

Mine are 12 and 16 and try dodging it as they find it boring. They have electric brushes and we've always done teeth brushing straight away when they get up and just before bed.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 27/12/2017 13:07

Sorry for multiple lots! Really hate the android app.

skankingpiglet · 29/12/2017 00:47

I have a 3yo and 18mo.
3yo gets a go first (and is doing ok, she's beginning to get the motions) then we brush with the help of "Go RAAAAAAAR like a LION!!!" "Now go GRRRRRR" "Yawn!" etc. We never have a battle with her over teeth any more, although she was like her sister when younger (but got over it sooner). A reminder that if she doesn't look after them they will fall out/our lovely dentist will tell us off is enough of an incentive on reluctant days. She's just had a check up and all is apparently looking good, so hopefully our method is working.
The 18mo hates having her teeth brushed. We give her the brush for a bit but she just eats the tooth paste and refuses to even chew the brush. We then sit her on our lap and pin her down for a proper brush. It's traumatic for both her and the brusher (me or DH). I rely on the screams to get the toothbrush into her mouth. Until 6 weeks ago she only had 2 teeth (cut another 6 in those 6wks) so at least it didn't take too long! We've tried all the nice/silly methods to let us in and brush but she won't have it.
We do teeth twice a day although if I'm honest there are odd days when things have been pretty awful generally so I let the younger one eat the toothpaste and call it quits.

GlitterGlassEye · 29/12/2017 01:03

My 3dc have been registered with a dentist from 2 months old and are at their 6 monthly appointments every time. My oldest dc has had a few problems with his adult teeth and has monthly orthodontic appointments. He’s got a full rail track upper and lower since 6 months ago. “Brush your teeth” is the war cry in this household.

I have crap teeth btw, despite not needing a filling until I was 23 (still not good really) BUT I should have had a brace when I was a teen. This will cost me a fortune to fix and I don’t have it. I tell the ds all the time that he’ll thank me for it. I know so many people who have pre-teen kids that have fillings in their adult teeth already and it makes me fume. And some kids having extractions before primary school

meandmytinfoilhat · 29/12/2017 01:08

We have an app on my phone that my son can scan his toothbrush into and it sets a timer.

The picture is all blurry to begin and as the timer goes down, the image starts to clear.

They get a big well done message pop up at the end.

I also go over his teeth afterwards.

OkPedro · 29/12/2017 01:11

Registered with a dentist form 2 months old? Do you mean you put their names down at 2 months old because there is a waiting list? is dental care not free where you are?

You can fume all you like.. my dd had 3 cavities has had a filling and will need braces.. believe me she doesn't have excess sugar.. she has brushed her teeth 3 times a day since she was 12 months old. My ds has no cavities, no fillings and most likely won't need braces

Lucked · 29/12/2017 01:22

I am in Scotland so both my children have had access to the Childsmile program .Mine were both registered from new born (health visitor can help if necessary) and seen a dentist every 6 months. I have had access to lots of free toothpaste and toothbrushes through my children’s nursery and they get regular fluoride varnish either at Nursery/school or dentist or sometimes both depending on the timing.

They are meant to get teeth brushing at Nursery but it is not consistent and we do it at home twice a day.

Lucked · 29/12/2017 01:24

Sorry to answer your questions I made up silly songs which helped but the most important thing has been perseverance, it is nonnegotiable and will get done even if they cry and scream, which they don’t any more.

GlitterGlassEye · 29/12/2017 01:41

Well you’re doing something wrong as I’m sure your dentist has told you . They’re pretty good at shaming parents according to some family members. And no, no waiting lists. I registered them all with a dentist (all free in Scotland until a certain age as per my comment about ds thanking me later) as baby teeth can come in pretty quickly so why wait til the first tooth appears?

Anyway, if someone needs a brace, it’s completely different from a dentist. You can’t control the movement of teeth in puberty, it has nothing to do with oral hygiene. You need braces or you don’t. Simple as that. BUT if your kids teeth are dirty and not showing good enough hygiene, the orthodontist won’t contunue with treatment. Separate treatments altogether.

Beansonapost · 29/12/2017 02:11

we do it together in the mornings....

teach her circular motions etc...

At nights... we pin her down and get it done! its always a fight and we can't be bothered ...sometimes shes willing other times not... her teeth need cleaning and she needs to be in bed.

grandolddukeofyork · 29/12/2017 08:58

I also guess at the length of time we do it for but will start to time it too so we ensure we brush long enough

SomedayMyPrinceWillCome · 29/12/2017 09:48

We (I) sing 2 verses of 10 green bottles whilst brushing his teeth - one verse top, one verse bottom. I'm aware this probably isn't "officially" long enough but works for us & he has no dental problems

Original poster

DentistDad · 30/12/2017 00:35

Thank you all for your input.
It seems that despite your efforts children can throw up a challenge when getting asked to clean their teeth.

Given that it maybe tough, what do you feel is the biggest factor deterring your child from brushing?

Has anyone tried to use a distractional/ educational songs or video on a mobile or tablet ?
If so which do you feel Work well?
If anyone has used phone or tablet apps do you find these beneficial? If not what could be improved?

Thank you all so much Happy New Year :)

OP posts:

badg3r · 30/12/2017 00:56

DS got to choose between sitting up to have his teeth brushed or being (gently but firmly) pinned down between my legs for tooth brushing. Sounds a bit draconian but after a month or so he just opened his mouth happily and let us get on with it! Also he was allowed to watch a YouTube episode of peppa, dougie etc while we brushed. Tooth brushing is non-negotiable in our house and as soon as he realised properly we have never had any problems.

DecisionTree · 30/12/2017 19:00

I nag a lot
And then some more
My DC has become a soap dodger too - entering teeens
So i nag more and more
I have resorted to booking in regular hygenist appoibtnemts for him now

Schlimbesserung · 30/12/2017 19:10

My children are 15, 13, 9 and 6. They all have excellent teeth (2 have had fillings following a tooth being chipped but otherwise fine).
We have no trouble getting them to clean their teeth. I think this is because they know it just isn't optional. We talk about which toothpaste they like and let them choose their own brushes, but they all know that making a fuss is pointless because the end result will be the same. (I'm well aware that this wouldn't work for all children, but for ours it's just the same as always having to wear a seatbelt).
Thankfully my children are all in childsmile too, and that has been a huge help. I could live without the annual "fun" day with some eejit dressed up as a tooth, but the flouride coatings and 6 monthly checkups are great. If nothing else, none of them are scared of the dentist and my 15 year old recently made his own appointment and took himself to it (dentist is in his school building)when he had a concern (but no actual problem, as it turned out).
I'm sure an app would work for some people, but it isn't anything that I would try, because I think it would give my kids the wrong message and they would end up more distracted by the screen than anything, so would have their teeth less clean rather than more.

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