My 4 year old needed a filling

[Tootytata]

Having a moment today where I feel like a failure in parenting. The dentist told me that my 4 year old needed a filling. We brush his teeth every morning and evening before bedtime. I try to limit the amount of sweets / chocolate / junk he has but sometimes don't succeed.

Has anyone got tips on how to better care for a child's teeth?

My teeth are not great. I have gum disease which I'm going through treatment for. I don't want my son to go through the same dental nightmares as me.

Consider giving your child sweets made with xylitol. They still contain calories (about 40% of the equivalent weight in sugar) but mouth bacteria try to eat it and it interferes with their digestion and kills them. Not a replacement for toothbrushing but a good help if you have it in the middle of the day. Can't have too many though or you'll need to go to the bathroom more often than usual!

Fissure sealant is free on NHS for high risk kids, as is regular fluoride varnish application. Has your dentist /dental therapist / hygienist suggested that/ applied that?
Guidance summary here:

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/601834/healthy_mouth_children_quick_guide.pdf

Tini17 - thank you so much for this

@Tootytata
You need a toothpaste with as near to 1500 ppmF as possible, for your 4 year old.

The last 2 posts contradict each other. I am having to pin down my 18mo. I feel i dont do a good enough job brushing his teeth.

Wait at least 30 minutes after eating before brushing the teeth, rinse the mouth after every meal/snack and drink water or unsweetened tea only.

And in case he is brushing his teeth by himself: YOU have to brush them!

Do you give him a lot of juice? A lot of people don't realise all the sugar in juice