breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,892 
Location: PNW
|
Post by breetheflea on Sept 27, 2017 2:05:28 GMT
Due to crappy insurance I've had to take my kids to the dentist last Thursday, yesterday and today because those were the only available appointments. Seven cavities between the 3 kids. Yay...
So today I had to go grocery shopping and Googled kids and cavities before leaving the house... which meant I didn't buy candy, cookies, juice, dried fruit, cereal, crackers, bread products, chips, pretzels, popcorn, jam, pop tarts, oatmeal (one of the worst offenders according to Google)raisins, ice cream, yogurt, applesauce, soda, iced tea, coffee creamer, pudding, Jell-o, canned fruit, regular fruit, popsicles, donuts, or cake...
Basically the only thing that doesn't cause cavities (who knew carbs were bad for your teeth) are carrots, water and cheese. Yum.
|
|
|
|
Post by mom on Sept 27, 2017 2:07:00 GMT
Really? Oatmeal? I had no idea that would be bad for your teeth!
|
|
|
|
Post by pmm on Sept 27, 2017 2:07:24 GMT
Oh my! So frustrating to have that happen. I hope the next dental check up goes much better.
|
|
breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,892
Location: PNW
|
Post by breetheflea on Sept 27, 2017 2:20:42 GMT
Yeah, I am trying to remind myself I'm not a bad parent, my kids just inherited my bad teeth...
|
|
|
|
Post by crazy4scraps on Sept 27, 2017 2:35:02 GMT
I let my kid have all of that--right before she brushes her teeth.  This last time at the dentist we bought new Oral-B electric toothbrushes for all three of us. The hygienist said that when people actually use the timer and brush for two full minutes their teeth have so much less plaque when they come in for their cleanings and checkups. I can FEEL how much cleaner my teeth are after I've brushed with it. My sister (who hasn't been known to have good teeth) has been using one for a couple years and she says her hygienist always comments on how clean her teeth are so there must be something to it. The electric toothbrushes cost more up front, but if it saves us money and pain with needing fillings down the road it will have been worth it. |
|
|
|
Post by Basket1lady on Sept 27, 2017 2:55:34 GMT
I let my kid have all of that--right before she brushes her teeth. This last time at the dentist we bought new Oral-B electric toothbrushes for all three of us. The hygienist said that when people actually use the timer and brush for two full minutes their teeth have so much less plaque when they come in for their cleanings and checkups. I can FEEL how much cleaner my teeth are after I've brushed with it. My sister (who hasn't been known to have good teeth) has been using one for a couple years and she says her hygienist always comments on how clean her teeth are so there must be something to it. The electric toothbrushes cost more up front, but if it saves us money and pain with needing fillings down the road it will have been worth it.  But don't buy the kids the cheap versions of the brushes. I did that (granted--about 15 years ago--and the dentist said the cheap electric toothbrushes were wearing away the kids' gums. He said to use the soft bristled kind where you can change the toothbrush heads. It seems to have worked--none of us have had a cavity since buying electric toothbrushes, other than DS. He stopped using his when he went to college because he said it was weird to have your toothbrush sitting on your desk to charge. Less than a year and he had his first cavity. It made me a believer. |
|
|
|
Post by crazy4scraps on Sept 27, 2017 3:05:15 GMT
I let my kid have all of that--right before she brushes her teeth. This last time at the dentist we bought new Oral-B electric toothbrushes for all three of us. The hygienist said that when people actually use the timer and brush for two full minutes their teeth have so much less plaque when they come in for their cleanings and checkups. I can FEEL how much cleaner my teeth are after I've brushed with it. My sister (who hasn't been known to have good teeth) has been using one for a couple years and she says her hygienist always comments on how clean her teeth are so there must be something to it. The electric toothbrushes cost more up front, but if it saves us money and pain with needing fillings down the road it will have been worth it. But don't buy the kids the cheap versions of the brushes. I did that (granted--about 15 years ago--and the dentist said the cheap electric toothbrushes were wearing away the kids' gums. He said to use the soft bristled kind where you can change the toothbrush heads. It seems to have worked--none of us have had a cavity since buying electric toothbrushes, other than DS. He stopped using his when he went to college because he said it was weird to have your toothbrush sitting on your desk to charge. Less than a year and he had his first cavity. It made me a believer. Yup, that's what we bought. The ones with the soft bristled replaceable heads. |
|
scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
|
Post by scrapaddie on Sept 27, 2017 9:44:29 GMT
Of course carbs are bad for teeth... They are essentially sugars. Didn't you ever have to do the thing in school where you choose on a cracker until it tasted sweet? But the toothbrush is your friend.
|
|
|
|
Post by gar on Sept 27, 2017 10:12:16 GMT
I let my kid have all of that--right before she brushes her teeth. I know you were probably joking but actually I believe that brushing straight after eating sugar is not a good thing as it will have softened the surface meaning you do more damage. Waiting a little while is better, as I understand it. Any dentists on the board - please feel free to correct me  |
|
momto4kiddos
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,151
Jun 26, 2014 11:45:15 GMT
|
Post by momto4kiddos on Sept 27, 2017 11:14:30 GMT
My dentist used to tell me the worst thing for kids teeth were those darn fruit chews. Because they were sticky and left behind crap on their teeth.
If my youngest was ever in the grocery with someone other than me, she went straight for the fruit snacks, lol because they were an item i'd never buy.
|
|
|
|
Post by anonrefugee on Sept 27, 2017 12:38:23 GMT
I let my kid have all of that--right before she brushes her teeth. I know you were probably joking but actually I believe that brushing straight after eating sugar is not a good thing as it will have softened the surface meaning you do more damage. Waiting a little while is better, as I understand it. Any dentists on the board - please feel free to correct me I'll back you up. I had a habit of brushing my teeth immediately after a cola, to remove the taste and the sugar. Etching cream might have worked the same! Rinse with water, and wait before brushing. Off topic, how can people drink vinegar? I picture the dissolving egg shell and imagine more tooth damage. |
|
|
|
Post by LisaDV on Sept 27, 2017 12:48:45 GMT
I let my kid have all of that--right before she brushes her teeth. This last time at the dentist we bought new Oral-B electric toothbrushes for all three of us. The hygienist said that when people actually use the timer and brush for two full minutes their teeth have so much less plaque when they come in for their cleanings and checkups. I can FEEL how much cleaner my teeth are after I've brushed with it. My sister (who hasn't been known to have good teeth) has been using one for a couple years and she says her hygienist always comments on how clean her teeth are so there must be something to it. The electric toothbrushes cost more up front, but if it saves us money and pain with needing fillings down the road it will have been worth it. We use the sonicare. But I agree get the electric toothbrush especially one with a timer. DH has bad teeth and it's definitely improved his dds appt. I get good remarks and am in the chair for a lot less time. DS just had top braces put on Monday and the assistant there was commenting on how really well he brushes his teeth. It's not him, it's that toothbrush. DD has never had a cavity. |
|
|
|
Post by peasapie on Sept 27, 2017 13:05:53 GMT
I have a friend who doesn't have dental insurance and who goes to a local dental school to have work done. She swears by the work they do (free) and says she's happier than at a regular dentist's office. Just an FYI in case you have a school near you. It has to be tough to have 3 kids and no dental plan.
|
|
breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,892
Location: PNW
|
Post by breetheflea on Sept 27, 2017 13:41:43 GMT
I have a friend who doesn't have dental insurance and who goes to a local dental school to have work done. She swears by the work they do (free) and says she's happier than at a regular dentist's office. Just an FYI in case you have a school near you. It has to be tough to have 3 kids and no dental plan. We have insurance, but there is one pediatric dentist for our area for our HMO, and with multiple kids I can't get their appointments on one day so it was 3 separate trips, over 5 days and bad news at each appointment... plus I tried to get appointments last spring and the middle of September was the only thing left on their calendar so we are three months behind "every 6 months," which is typical. Of course when the kids need fillings, suddenly the appointments open up... I will look into the electric toothbrush thing. I had one about 15 years ago but didn't like it, maybe they have improved since then... |
|
|
|
Post by annabella on Sept 27, 2017 13:53:33 GMT
Really? Oatmeal? I had no idea that would be bad for your teeth! I think she means the sugary flavored packets. Not plain oatmeal in a tub. |
|
|
|
Post by mom on Sept 27, 2017 14:10:13 GMT
Really? Oatmeal? I had no idea that would be bad for your teeth! I think she means the sugary flavored packets. Not plain oatmeal in a tub. Oh I bet you are right. I don't even look at the flavored packets so it never even crossed my mind thats what she meant. SaveSave |
|
LeaP
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,939
Location: Los Angeles, CA where 405 meets 101
|
Post by LeaP on Sept 27, 2017 14:25:37 GMT
Is your water fluorinated? Do your kids drink tap water? When we moved to Canada, our new Canadian dentist recommended drops because the local water was not fluorinated. He said that in the span of his career Vancouver went full circle from non-fluorinated -> fliorinated -> non-fluorinated. He said that he filled significantly less teeth during the fluorinated period. There are some conspiracy theories about floride, but my kids seem to have none of the side effects. Anecdotally, one of my neighbors that only drinks bottled water had 4 cavities filled last month.
The thing about fluoride is that there is a balance between too much and too little so it is important to follow recommendations.
|
|
|
|
Post by ktdoesntscrap on Sept 27, 2017 15:07:59 GMT
I know you were probably joking but actually I believe that brushing straight after eating sugar is not a good thing as it will have softened the surface meaning you do more damage. Waiting a little while is better, as I understand it. Any dentists on the board - please feel free to correct me ![:D]() Not a dentist but you are correct. Wait at least 30 minutes after eating. Anything sugary or acidic. i'm 54 years old and I never knew that. |
|
breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,892
Location: PNW
|
Post by breetheflea on Sept 27, 2017 16:05:23 GMT
Really? Oatmeal? I had no idea that would be bad for your teeth! I think she means the sugary flavored packets. Not plain oatmeal in a tub. Google, just says oatmeal, not oatmeal packets. Something about how it (and other grains) ferment is really bad for teeth. |
|
|
|
Post by librarylady on Sept 27, 2017 16:39:15 GMT
Is your water fluorinated? Do your kids drink tap water? When we moved to Canada, our new Canadian dentist recommended drops because the local water was not fluorinated. He said that in the span of his career Vancouver went full circle from non-fluorinated -> fliorinated -> non-fluorinated. He said that he filled significantly less teeth during the fluorinated period. There are some conspiracy theories about floride, but my kids seem to have none of the side effects. Anecdotally, one of my neighbors that only drinks bottled water had 4 cavities filled last month. The thing about fluoride is that there is a balance between too much and too little so it is important to follow recommendations. My dentist said that the fluoride when the teeth are being formed is what makes teeth strong...so kids need it under age 12. |
|
breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,892
Location: PNW
|
Post by breetheflea on Sept 27, 2017 16:44:03 GMT
Is your water fluorinated? Do your kids drink tap water? When we moved to Canada, our new Canadian dentist recommended drops because the local water was not fluorinated. He said that in the span of his career Vancouver went full circle from non-fluorinated -> fliorinated -> non-fluorinated. He said that he filled significantly less teeth during the fluorinated period. There are some conspiracy theories about floride, but my kids seem to have none of the side effects. Anecdotally, one of my neighbors that only drinks bottled water had 4 cavities filled last month. The thing about fluoride is that there is a balance between too much and too little so it is important to follow recommendations. My dentist said that the fluoride when the teeth are being formed is what makes teeth strong...so kids need it under age 12. I don't think our water has flouride which would explain why my 4 year old has the worst teeth of all my kids (we moved right before he was born, our old house might have had flouride in the water). I will look into flouride drops. |
|
But don't buy the kids the cheap versions of the brushes. I did that (granted--about 15 years ago--and the dentist said the cheap electric toothbrushes were wearing away the kids' gums. He said to use the soft bristled kind where you can change the toothbrush heads. It seems to have worked--none of us have had a cavity since buying electric toothbrushes, other than DS. He stopped using his when he went to college because he said it was weird to have your toothbrush sitting on your desk to charge. Less than a year and he had his first cavity. It made me a believer.
