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MNHQ

Share your tips & tricks on keeping your children's teeth healthy for Colgate - chance to win a £250 voucher! *NOW CLOSED*

226 replies

KathrynMumsnet · 30/03/2015 15:15

Colgate has asked us to find out about your thoughts and concerns about dental hygiene and how you keep your children’s teeth healthy.

Here’s what Colgate says: “Did you know that 84% of children and all adults suffer from cavities at some point in their life*?

“Cavities, also known as tooth decay, are the most common chronic disease on the planet. But cavities are preventable and this is why Colgate® has created a breakthrough new anti-cavity toothpaste called Colgate® Maximum Cavity Protection plus Sugar Acid Neutraliser™.

“Providing close to double protection against early decay**, Colgate® Maximum Cavity Protection is the first and only toothpaste to contain Sugar Acid Neutraliser™ technology, that goes beyond the protection of fluoride, neutralising sugar acids in plaque – the #1 cause of cavities.

“Colgate’s Head of Scientific Affairs, Foti Panagakos comments:
“More and more we’re aware of the increasing levels of sugar in our diets and the negative impact this has on our health. The need for a toothpaste with built in Sugar Acid Neutraliser™ technology has never been so urgent. Colgate® Maximum Cavity Protection plus Sugar Acid Neutraliser™ will have a tremendous impact on the oral health of the nation.””

*UK Adult Dental Health Survey 2009, The Health and Social Care Information Centre
** Toothpaste with fluoride alone reduced by 32%
---------------------
Below are a few points to get you started, but feel free to add any other comments you have:

  • What are your top tips for getting your DCs to clean their teeth properly?
  • What kind of excuses do your DCs give you about why they don't need to clean their teeth?
  • How do you teach your DCs about good dental hygiene?
  • Do you worry about your DCs teeth? What do you do to help them keep their teeth healthy?
  • Do you actively try to reduce the sugar intake of your DCs? If so, how?

Fears, tips, whatever it is, we’d love to hear it!

Everyone who posts on this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one lucky Mumsnetter will win a £250 voucher of a supermarket of their choice*.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

*except Aldi and Lidl

OP posts:
TiedUpWithString · 30/03/2015 16:23

-What are your top tips for getting your DCs to clean their teeth properly? We help DD do her teeth (aged 4) and when she has a go, we go over what she's done to be sure!
-What kind of excuses do your DCs give you about why they don't need to clean their teeth? She does not make excuses, she does not mind doing it.
-How do you teach your DCs about good dental hygiene? The best thing ever for me was a The One Show article about children needing to go to hospital to have their teeth out. DD saw it and was terrified. Since then, she has been assiduous with brushing, doesn't mind floss and actively asks for non-sugary stuff!
-Do you worry about your DCs teeth? What do you do to help them keep their teeth healthy? Yes, simply because I was prone to cavities despite good dental hygiene as a child.
-Do you actively try to reduce the sugar intake of your DCs? If so, how? Yes. She has diluted juice, very very weak squash and milk. She hates water though. Sweets are an occasional treat and she doesn't really like chocolate which is a bonus.

maryandbuzz1 · 30/03/2015 17:45

My son was always very good at brushing his teeth. Luckily he has excellent teeth and has never had to have any fillings. We were always careful about how much sugar he had. At one point he had an electric toothbrush which he loved using. I suppose we have been very lucky in the long run and had very little problems.

shivbrown · 30/03/2015 17:46

We have a picture book that he looks through but I have all false teeth at age of 27 so he says he doesn't want teeth like me so looks after them

We always attend dentist appointments however I am very careful with things he eats and drinks and if he was to have pure orange juice or apple juice always get him to rinse his mouth out after with water as the acid in those drinks and my poor cleaning is why my teeth are ruined x

leannemoore · 30/03/2015 17:58

I brush my boys teeth morning and night . I get let me brush there teeth first then I let them do it because they love doing it them selves but are to young to do it correct .

paulaburnside114 · 30/03/2015 17:59

I buy disclosure tablets to dye the teeth blue so the children can see how well they have to brush teeth to get them clean.
I do this every couple of months just to get the tooth brushing back up a good standard.

aless02 · 30/03/2015 18:00

MINE ARE PRETTY GOOD BUT FOR A WHILE WE USED THE BRUSHTIME APP ON THE IPAD TO MAKE IT FUN.

WowOoo · 30/03/2015 18:08

My top tip would be to brush your own teeth in front of them so they see how to do it and how long for. My son has done mine for me - a bit of an eye opener. I didn't like it at all!

We did the tooth in a glass of coke thing and watched it rot. Dc were horrified (and also wondered where I got the tooth from!)

I do worry about their teeth. I remember having horrible toothache and it is something I want them to avoid for as long as possible.

Happening · 30/03/2015 18:10

Both DCs were very reluctant to have their teeth cleaned around 18 mth to 2 years - with both we found it helped if we brushed their teddy's / doll's / duck's etcs teeth first and they took turns with their toy.

We all brush our teeth together. i let them have a go themselves, so they start learning how - but then also do it myself for them after, to make sure they are done properly.

Dcs are age 2 and 4 now.

hannonle · 30/03/2015 18:11

We had to resort to a reward chart and a reward of one of those battery jiggly brushes to get them to do it twice a day. Eldest is now just starting to lose his baby teeth so he's developed a good habit of brushing before his adult teeth arrive, which was important to me.

alsproject · 30/03/2015 18:14

We get the musical toothbrushes as they play a song for the duration of the brushing and it makes it fun for the kids

julieef · 30/03/2015 18:25

It is hard to make sure they are cleaning properly apart from staying in the bathroom with them while they are doing it

muppet150 · 30/03/2015 18:25

I always clean my 4yr olds teeth and then let her have a go herself. I do my teeth with my youngest so they know how to do it

andywedge · 30/03/2015 18:29

-What are your top tips for getting your DCs to clean their teeth properly? We have fun toothbrushes ie TMNT and Disney princess and also use a Colgate app
-What kind of excuses do your DCs give you about why they don't need to clean their teeth? They don't
-How do you teach your DCs about good dental hygiene? Tell them how important it is and also regular trips to the dentist
-Do you worry about your DCs teeth? What do you do to help them keep their teeth healthy? Yes and regular brushing
-Do you actively try to reduce the sugar intake of your DCs? If so, how? No fizzy drinks ever

Micah68 · 30/03/2015 18:39

I use a puppet and encourage them to clean the puppet's teeth in right way first. This lets me give little tips like 'brush his back teeth and these need to be kept clean and strong too'. Little things like adding a mirror with a handle (I use one from an old fashioned child's dressing table set) encourages them to check they have done a good job.

dilydaly · 30/03/2015 18:46

My tips would be to start young and never forget to do it. Morning and night from the get go. As soon as my little one got her first tooth I slowly introduced her to a toothbrush, just to play with at first obviously.
If you do it morning and night without fail from the get go it's normal to the child and they don't question it as they get older.
There are numerous games you can play when brushing teeth, counting, singing songs etc to make sure you've brushed long enough (fun and educational!). If this isn't your thing then get a toothbrush that sings for 2 minutes or has a flashing light that stops after 2 minutes.
Get their toys involved, brush dolly's teeth or teddy's teeth in the morning and before bed this can help encourage reluctant ones too.
DON'T GIVE SMALL CHILDREN FIZZY DRINKS !!!!!!!
I CANNOT understand for the life of me why people give their kids fizzy drinks ?!?!?! I have been out in restaurants etc and seen children as young as 2 drinking fizzy drinks. If you never give your child a fizzy drink they're not missing out because they won't know any better. My children are 7 and 5 and have never had a fizzy drink and they aren't interested either because I've never given it to them. Give your children water from the get go and again it will be normal for them to have it daily. My daughter asks for water with her food and it makes me smile every time.
We always made the dentist fun, we made it sound exciting so they were excited. They both first went to the dentist when they were 2 and just love going there now.
I also tell my daughter's that the tooth fairy leaves £1 for super clean sparkly teeth but that she doesn't like dirty teeth.

rachheap2014 · 30/03/2015 18:47

I always tell my youngest who is 2.5 yr old, do you want big white princess teeth? that always encourages her to brush her teeth

janeyf1 · 30/03/2015 18:55

Fortunately my DC likes the taste of toothpaste so is happy to brush every morning and evening. However she loves sweets and chocolates even more, so it is hard to restrict treats. I show her pictures of the wicked witch's teeth from Snow White and explain that is what happens when too many sweets are eaten but brushing teeth will help keep the bad teeth away!

glennamy · 30/03/2015 18:55

My best tip to my daughter was to show her how to brush them and encourage her to do the same... and because our toothbrush beeps when brushing time is up, I stated to her that this is how the tooth fairy knows when we have brushed our teeth correctly. :0)

baileyboo9 · 30/03/2015 18:58

I find I have been quite lucky that my children brush there teeth properly, although it has always been something we have pushed. If they have noticed people with bad teeth we have pointed out that it is from not looking after there teeth. They both drink milk and water mainly but are allowed sugary drink and sweets its just all in moderation. I don't want them to think of looking after there teeth as a chore just something you do as part of a normal day.

feefeegabor · 30/03/2015 18:59

I encourage my daughter to brush her teeth by getting her to use an electric toothbrush with a 2 minute setting on it. She likes to do the full 2 minutes as she "likes the sound it makes" when it's done. I dont limit her sugar as everything in moderation is my motto, particularly as my best friend's daughter was diagnosed with Anorexia at age 11.

jt75 · 30/03/2015 19:07

I use disclosing tablets every so often to show them where they are missing.

hiddenmichelle · 30/03/2015 19:09

I think the fact that they see it as the norm is key - both myself and their Dad brush their teeth morning and night and therefore they do to!

PurplePoppySeed · 30/03/2015 19:13

I always brush my teeth at the same time as my 18mo DD, I open my mouth enough that she can see exactly what I do and she copies! I can't get anywhere near her mouth with a toothbrush myself, unless she's also trying to brush my teeth, so until she's a bit older I have to make a game of it.

I drink water whenever I want her to and the only other thing she has is milk if I'm having coffee/tea!

Fizzy drinks/juice I only have when at work or during her naps/evening so I hope she never even thinks about other options!

bridge16 · 30/03/2015 19:18

My kids hardly ever eat sweets and are not allowed near fizzy drinks and we use the brushing app to get them to brush which they love and it works!

castleton · 30/03/2015 19:26

Get them to look into a mirror while cleaning their teeth and make a game of it to show them how to do it properly