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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:
serendipity1980 · 14/04/2015 14:24

Our DC are 5 and 6, we have always brushed their teeth twice a day, so it is a routine and they never question it. We ask them to brush their teeth first now and then we check them to ensure they are brushing. We don't buy them sweets, they are only allowed fruit juice occasionally and it's usually watered down (unless drunk from a carton). We also visit a dentist yearly and she is very happy with their (and my!) teeth.

nanoobaku · 14/04/2015 15:26

my ds has autism and brushing teeth has been and still is very difficult. He relies on me to brush his teeth but I am keen to read tips to get him to brush his teeth on his own initiative as he has very limited communication skills

stephimoon · 14/04/2015 17:18

My DS is two years old and we find it so hard to brush his teeth! He either runs away and hides, turns it into a game or screams like he's being attacked when I or my husband go anywhere near him with a toothbrush. We've tried different coloured toothbrushes, toothbrushes with flashing lights and letting him start brushing by himself and then help him to finish off. Some of these things work for a short while (the novelty of the flashing toothbrush lasted about a week) but then it feels like we're back to square one!

My dentist has said as long as he gets a bit of toothpaste on his teeth twice a day, that's the most important thing. But I really want to teach him about good dental hygiene and oral health.
I even tried telling him that he had to clean his teeth otherwise they would fall out, which resulted in him telling me after one particularly bad morning that he wanted his teeth to fall out. I hope I'm not alone in these terrible two battles!
The one thing that seems to work best is putting him in front of Kate and Mim-mim and brushing his teeth while he's hypnotised by the wonderful world of Mimmaloo. Not exactly what I thought I'd be doing as a mother, but it does work.

Carriecakes80 · 14/04/2015 19:20

With my boys it was always bribery at first, then pleading, then shouting, but in the end we found a video online showing how teeth can rot and decay if they are left, and how it can cause heart disease! Well, this has done the trick, all four of my kids are now extremely fastidious about keeping their teeth shiny and clean...I just wish the same could be said about their bedrooms! :-)

Share your tips & tricks on keeping your children's teeth healthy for Colgate - chance to win a £250 voucher! *NOW CLOSED*
whitbyranger · 14/04/2015 19:50

I brush my teeth at the same time as Emily and make it a natural part of morning and evening routines.

kel1981 · 14/04/2015 19:53

I like those toothbrushes that have a timer on so you know how long to brush for. They are useful in getting them to brush for the correct time. I buy kiddie toothpaste and mouthwash which keeps their interest and makes them want to use it!

ikkle87 · 14/04/2015 20:09

I do worry about my sons teeth, my teeth are ok but my partners teeth are shocking so I wonder who he will take after.

I bought him a Thomas the Tank toothbrush set for christmas and it comes with a timer which is Thomas driving round and going through a tunnel and when it stops time is up. My son has some communication issues and doesn't understand how to follow instructions so he brushes his teeth first and then i brush them taking it in turns mummy brush her teeth, mummy brush jakes teeth, mummy brush her teeth, mummy brush jakes teeth and he will happily go along with it.

mumpetuk · 14/04/2015 20:21

I make sure the kids know what not brushing your teeth can end up like...

smit23 · 14/04/2015 21:10

Brush them together, and make up a little song about brushing.

Excuses range from: it's mean to the toothbrush to I don't like the taste and it makes my teeth feel funny.

Mainly drink water, no sweets and only occasional chocolate/cakes/biscuits.

baconbap · 14/04/2015 21:41

Try to avoid fizzy drinks and too much fruit juice

sjw01 · 14/04/2015 21:42

My top tips would be to get them into a routine, and use flavoured toothpaste!

tubbyj · 14/04/2015 21:43

Managed to avoid fizzy drinks so far, and sweets are rare and in small packets, brushing where we can with the parents all make it normal

srobbo71 · 14/04/2015 21:48

Should you be extra gentle on very young childrens teeth when brushing?

veroinuk · 14/04/2015 21:50

reminding the kids to brush their teeth in the mornings and evenings and for more than the few seconds they try. I made up a song when they were little and when I finish it then they can stop brushing.

K3rry · 14/04/2015 21:51

I have bought the light up tooth brushes so they know how long to brush for and I always go over them myself to make they have reached the back ones.

I always do mine with them in the morning and they copy what I am doing.

I don't try to reduce sugar intake as I believe they have a good diet anyway, I have told them that if they don't brush their teeth will go black and get really sore because they will be bad.

FrenchieMum2Be · 14/04/2015 21:52

I sing a song whilst brushign my DD's teeth. If I let her suck the toothpaste first, it goes smoothly :)

Japsamba · 14/04/2015 22:18

We change the toothbrush and toothpaste often enough to keep her interested. Also she doesn't want 'grey bits in her teeth' like daddy. :)

brightongirl40 · 14/04/2015 22:26

A very visual way to get older children brushing is to do an experiment with two slices of bread. Rub one on their teeth and tongue, then seal it in a sandwich bag, then brush (with Colgate of course!) and seal that in a bag (clearly marked) then put them on the window sill and see what grows - the results should be enough to get your little dears brushing religiously for the rest of their lives!

bebe2 · 14/04/2015 22:34

My children were only allowed sweeties etc on Saturdays, birthday parties, Christmas and Easter. They never felt deprived they told me later and consequently they still both have an excellent set of teeth. It worked for us

janemphoto · 14/04/2015 22:49

It's really important for me that they clean their teeth every day, so I usually go with them and we clean our teeth together.

maxxximus · 14/04/2015 23:33

Flossing regularly is the secret to good dental health. They now have the flossing habit.

ktandspen · 14/04/2015 23:48

I encourage mine to sing a song while they brush their teeth, Cole is currently on Frozen. By the time he gets through the bits he remembers its 2 minutes!! x

TiggersAngel7774 · 14/04/2015 23:59

my son doesnt like sweets , loves choc and chooses to drink water unless we out and about so im not overly concern .
I try to make sure teeth are done proper and also buy kiddies mouthwash

aligiraffe · 15/04/2015 08:40

I was lucky that there are 10 years between my boys. Not so lucky my eldest had a skateboard accident where he landed on his face & damaged his teeth but as I took him to the dentist for a long time for repairs, braces, etc his younger brother used to jump in the chair & get his teeth looked at from an early age. This meant he used to listen to the dentist about cleaning his teeth & not eating too many sweets from the age of 2. He has remembered it all & still follows the advice now as it's a life habit. I wouldn't recommend going about it the way I had to, but it was good advice & as it was given by someone in authority my son listened to more than he might of otherwise.

jacqroberts68 · 15/04/2015 08:42

I have a timer in the bathroom as I don't trust the kids with apps and phones near water! I was told by a dentist to also brush the gums to get the top of the teeth which we were all missing.