Tooth brushing
kayb85
I'm concerned about my 4 year old son. He has decided that he
doesn't want to brush his teeth anymore. This has been going on for
months and is getting worse and worse. He is brushing his teeth
about once a week at this point. He always used to just brush at the
same time his brother brushed. Sometimes his sister and I brushed at
the same time as them too.
I thought maybe he doesn't like brushing at night (too tired). So I
started asking him if he wanted to brush his teeth with me in the
morning. Nope.
I've explained to him about cavities, and about how he can avoid
getting them by brushing. I tried to get out of him why he doesn't
want to brush. At first he told me that his teeth hurt so he didn't
want me to brush them. He likes our dentist, so I asked if I should
make an appointment at the dentist to have her check his teeth and
clean them. Since he's not brushing well, I figured 3 or 4 cleanings
a year instead of two might be good. He said yes about the dentist,
I made the appointment, and an hour before the appointment he refused
to get in the car. I called and cancelled. They weren't happy
(Can't you just make him get in the car?) Ugh. I think that maybe
his teeth really didn't hurt.
I had our homeopath talk to him about it. She explained to him how
candy sometimes gets stuck between his teeth and he has to make sure
he gets it all out. She told him about battery operated toothbrushes
and we went out and bought him one. He used it two days and that was
the end of that.
We have about 6 different kinds of toothpaste. Sesame street
toothpaste, Scooby toothpaste, Tweety toothpaste, Mickey toothpaste,
and more.
We read a book called, "I know why I brush my teeth". He seemed to
enjoy the story. It didn't change his brushing habits though.
Then, his brother and sister each lost a tooth and got money for
their teeth. He asked if his teeth rot and fall out because he
doesn't brush, then he will get money too. I said no, the tooth
fairy doesn't give money if your teeth fall out because they were
rotten. He understands, no tooth fairy money for rotting out teeth.
I somehow don't think the money for rotten, falling out teeth is the
real reason but just an afterthought.
I'm not sure what he's holding out for. Maybe he's waiting to see if
he really will get cavities if he doesn't brush? I don't know.
It's been about 4 days since he's brushed. Tonight he rinsed his
mouth out with the kids' act ani-plaque rinse at least.
A few years ago I would have held him down to brush his teeth if he
refused to brush. I don't parent like that now, and I really don't
want to force him to brush. But I don't want to see him with serious
dental problems either.
Any suggestions? Would this concern you too?
Sheila
doesn't want to brush his teeth anymore. This has been going on for
months and is getting worse and worse. He is brushing his teeth
about once a week at this point. He always used to just brush at the
same time his brother brushed. Sometimes his sister and I brushed at
the same time as them too.
I thought maybe he doesn't like brushing at night (too tired). So I
started asking him if he wanted to brush his teeth with me in the
morning. Nope.
I've explained to him about cavities, and about how he can avoid
getting them by brushing. I tried to get out of him why he doesn't
want to brush. At first he told me that his teeth hurt so he didn't
want me to brush them. He likes our dentist, so I asked if I should
make an appointment at the dentist to have her check his teeth and
clean them. Since he's not brushing well, I figured 3 or 4 cleanings
a year instead of two might be good. He said yes about the dentist,
I made the appointment, and an hour before the appointment he refused
to get in the car. I called and cancelled. They weren't happy
(Can't you just make him get in the car?) Ugh. I think that maybe
his teeth really didn't hurt.
I had our homeopath talk to him about it. She explained to him how
candy sometimes gets stuck between his teeth and he has to make sure
he gets it all out. She told him about battery operated toothbrushes
and we went out and bought him one. He used it two days and that was
the end of that.
We have about 6 different kinds of toothpaste. Sesame street
toothpaste, Scooby toothpaste, Tweety toothpaste, Mickey toothpaste,
and more.
We read a book called, "I know why I brush my teeth". He seemed to
enjoy the story. It didn't change his brushing habits though.
Then, his brother and sister each lost a tooth and got money for
their teeth. He asked if his teeth rot and fall out because he
doesn't brush, then he will get money too. I said no, the tooth
fairy doesn't give money if your teeth fall out because they were
rotten. He understands, no tooth fairy money for rotting out teeth.
I somehow don't think the money for rotten, falling out teeth is the
real reason but just an afterthought.
I'm not sure what he's holding out for. Maybe he's waiting to see if
he really will get cavities if he doesn't brush? I don't know.
It's been about 4 days since he's brushed. Tonight he rinsed his
mouth out with the kids' act ani-plaque rinse at least.
A few years ago I would have held him down to brush his teeth if he
refused to brush. I don't parent like that now, and I really don't
want to force him to brush. But I don't want to see him with serious
dental problems either.
Any suggestions? Would this concern you too?
Sheila
Mary
From: "kayb85" <sheran@...>
<< Any suggestions? Would this concern you too? >>
All the suggestions I would have you have tried. And yes it would concern
me. Teeth brushing is something important to me. Fortunately my kids think
so too. I am very curious as to what others may say about this one. Good
luck.
Mary B.
http://www.homeschoolingtshirts.com
<< Any suggestions? Would this concern you too? >>
All the suggestions I would have you have tried. And yes it would concern
me. Teeth brushing is something important to me. Fortunately my kids think
so too. I am very curious as to what others may say about this one. Good
luck.
Mary B.
http://www.homeschoolingtshirts.com
[email protected]
In a message dated 10/5/2003 11:33:07 PM Mountain Daylight Time,
sheran@... writes:
=\=At first he told me that his teeth hurt so he didn't
want me to brush them. -=-
When new molars are coming in it can make all the teeth hurt.
-=-I've explained to him about cavities, and about how he can avoid
getting them by brushing.-=-
We've all been told that for years, but it might not be true.
There are genetic factors, and there is a bacterial infection which causes
dental caries, which many dentists don't even know and few who know will admit.
And it's been said for a long time that toothbrushes are nastily full of
bacteria themselves, but still people don't even wash their toothbrushes, they
just rinse them out. They'll wash cups, or use disposables, but the
toothbrushes stay months or years, sometimes without ever being boiled, even.
-=-I think that maybe
his teeth really didn't hurt.
-=-
Maybe you scared him.
Maybe they're not hurting in any cavity way, but just in new-tooth ways.
-=- I said no, the tooth
fairy doesn't give money if your teeth fall out because they were
rotten. -=-
You've moving from a benign traditional play to a detailed manipulative fib
with that, though.
Having a tooth fairy is risky enough (I did it too, but the kids were not
altogether thrilled to find out I'd fooled them). Using the tooth fairy as an
enforcer of ideas that will probably one day be proven to have been quite wrong
is kinda like threatening that Santa will leave coal or sticks if they don't
go to sleep by 8:00 and drink eight glasses of water a day.
-=-I'm not sure what he's holding out for. Maybe he's waiting to see if
he really will get cavities if he doesn't brush? I don't know. -=-
Maybe his teeth hurt.
Maybe he wants to feel in charge of his own mouth.
My kids don't always brush. Sometiems they brush lots. Sometimes they floss
lots. Sometimes they forget.
I know two people who got to adulthood without a single cavity, and without
brushing their teeth. One grew up in India and their toothbrushing is quite
different. It involved, in those days, chewing on the end of a certain kind of
twig and then using it kind oflike a toothpick. The other person just didn't
brush, and she never had a cavity.
I've known people who were conscientious about brushing whichever direction
the ADA thought was good that year, and they still had cavities.
Eating carrots and apples helps clean teeth.
Rinsing with water, using a toothpick, wiping his teeth with a wet
washcloth--there are other ways than pressing a point which might not be worth pressing.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
sheran@... writes:
=\=At first he told me that his teeth hurt so he didn't
want me to brush them. -=-
When new molars are coming in it can make all the teeth hurt.
-=-I've explained to him about cavities, and about how he can avoid
getting them by brushing.-=-
We've all been told that for years, but it might not be true.
There are genetic factors, and there is a bacterial infection which causes
dental caries, which many dentists don't even know and few who know will admit.
And it's been said for a long time that toothbrushes are nastily full of
bacteria themselves, but still people don't even wash their toothbrushes, they
just rinse them out. They'll wash cups, or use disposables, but the
toothbrushes stay months or years, sometimes without ever being boiled, even.
-=-I think that maybe
his teeth really didn't hurt.
-=-
Maybe you scared him.
Maybe they're not hurting in any cavity way, but just in new-tooth ways.
-=- I said no, the tooth
fairy doesn't give money if your teeth fall out because they were
rotten. -=-
You've moving from a benign traditional play to a detailed manipulative fib
with that, though.
Having a tooth fairy is risky enough (I did it too, but the kids were not
altogether thrilled to find out I'd fooled them). Using the tooth fairy as an
enforcer of ideas that will probably one day be proven to have been quite wrong
is kinda like threatening that Santa will leave coal or sticks if they don't
go to sleep by 8:00 and drink eight glasses of water a day.
-=-I'm not sure what he's holding out for. Maybe he's waiting to see if
he really will get cavities if he doesn't brush? I don't know. -=-
Maybe his teeth hurt.
Maybe he wants to feel in charge of his own mouth.
My kids don't always brush. Sometiems they brush lots. Sometimes they floss
lots. Sometimes they forget.
I know two people who got to adulthood without a single cavity, and without
brushing their teeth. One grew up in India and their toothbrushing is quite
different. It involved, in those days, chewing on the end of a certain kind of
twig and then using it kind oflike a toothpick. The other person just didn't
brush, and she never had a cavity.
I've known people who were conscientious about brushing whichever direction
the ADA thought was good that year, and they still had cavities.
Eating carrots and apples helps clean teeth.
Rinsing with water, using a toothpick, wiping his teeth with a wet
washcloth--there are other ways than pressing a point which might not be worth pressing.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
joylyn
This is very good Sandra, thank you.
I was thinking that maybe he'd go for using a mouthwash.
personally I think that there are lots of reasons why people get
cavities. I brushed ALL THE TIME as a child and had loads of cavities.
Mark never brushed and doesn't have one. He does have gum disease.
Maybe he could pick out a new toothbrush and paste and a
mouthwash/plaque liquid.
I would personally almost be more disturbed by the bad breath. Janene
doesn't always brush her teeth and sometimes her mouth stinks. I'll say
"I want to cuddle with you but your breath stinks, think you could go
brush your teeth for me?" She'll run off gladly. She's also told me
when my breath was stinkie--it goes both ways!
btw we replace brushes every 3-4 months. Sometimes more often. I also
keep brushes locked away in a cabinet, the idea of toilet water
spritzing my toothbrush is disgusting.
Here is an article I wrote about cavities... at the bottom are some
links. http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBSepOct02p164.html
According to my research there are lots of KNOWN causes... Cause of
Dental Caries
1. Streptococcus mutans, a bacteria that can be passed from parent to child.
2. High risk factors in pregnancy, including maternal stress, illness,
antibiotic use, and poor diet.
3. Poor family diet.
4. Poor oral hygiene.
5. Dry mouth.
6. Frequent and prolonged exposure to sugar.
Joylyn
SandraDodd@... wrote:
I was thinking that maybe he'd go for using a mouthwash.
personally I think that there are lots of reasons why people get
cavities. I brushed ALL THE TIME as a child and had loads of cavities.
Mark never brushed and doesn't have one. He does have gum disease.
Maybe he could pick out a new toothbrush and paste and a
mouthwash/plaque liquid.
I would personally almost be more disturbed by the bad breath. Janene
doesn't always brush her teeth and sometimes her mouth stinks. I'll say
"I want to cuddle with you but your breath stinks, think you could go
brush your teeth for me?" She'll run off gladly. She's also told me
when my breath was stinkie--it goes both ways!
btw we replace brushes every 3-4 months. Sometimes more often. I also
keep brushes locked away in a cabinet, the idea of toilet water
spritzing my toothbrush is disgusting.
Here is an article I wrote about cavities... at the bottom are some
links. http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBSepOct02p164.html
According to my research there are lots of KNOWN causes... Cause of
Dental Caries
1. Streptococcus mutans, a bacteria that can be passed from parent to child.
2. High risk factors in pregnancy, including maternal stress, illness,
antibiotic use, and poor diet.
3. Poor family diet.
4. Poor oral hygiene.
5. Dry mouth.
6. Frequent and prolonged exposure to sugar.
Joylyn
SandraDodd@... wrote:
> In a message dated 10/5/2003 11:33:07 PM Mountain Daylight Time,[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> sheran@... writes:
> =\=At first he told me that his teeth hurt so he didn't
> want me to brush them. -=-
>
> When new molars are coming in it can make all the teeth hurt.
>
>
> -=-I've explained to him about cavities, and about how he can avoid
> getting them by brushing.-=-
>
> We've all been told that for years, but it might not be true.
>
> There are genetic factors, and there is a bacterial infection which
> causes
> dental caries, which many dentists don't even know and few who know
> will admit.
> And it's been said for a long time that toothbrushes are nastily full of
> bacteria themselves, but still people don't even wash their
> toothbrushes, they
> just rinse them out. They'll wash cups, or use disposables, but the
> toothbrushes stay months or years, sometimes without ever being
> boiled, even.
>
> -=-I think that maybe
> his teeth really didn't hurt.
> -=-
>
> Maybe you scared him.
> Maybe they're not hurting in any cavity way, but just in new-tooth ways.
>
> -=- I said no, the tooth
> fairy doesn't give money if your teeth fall out because they were
> rotten. -=-
>
> You've moving from a benign traditional play to a detailed
> manipulative fib
> with that, though.
>
> Having a tooth fairy is risky enough (I did it too, but the kids were not
> altogether thrilled to find out I'd fooled them). Using the tooth
> fairy as an
> enforcer of ideas that will probably one day be proven to have been
> quite wrong
> is kinda like threatening that Santa will leave coal or sticks if
> they don't
> go to sleep by 8:00 and drink eight glasses of water a day.
>
> -=-I'm not sure what he's holding out for. Maybe he's waiting to see if
> he really will get cavities if he doesn't brush? I don't know. -=-
>
> Maybe his teeth hurt.
> Maybe he wants to feel in charge of his own mouth.
>
> My kids don't always brush. Sometiems they brush lots. Sometimes
> they floss
> lots. Sometimes they forget.
>
> I know two people who got to adulthood without a single cavity, and
> without
> brushing their teeth. One grew up in India and their toothbrushing is
> quite
> different. It involved, in those days, chewing on the end of a
> certain kind of
> twig and then using it kind oflike a toothpick. The other person just
> didn't
> brush, and she never had a cavity.
>
> I've known people who were conscientious about brushing whichever
> direction
> the ADA thought was good that year, and they still had cavities.
>
> Eating carrots and apples helps clean teeth.
> Rinsing with water, using a toothpick, wiping his teeth with a wet
> washcloth--there are other ways than pressing a point which might not
> be worth pressing.
>
> Sandra
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
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Robyn Coburn
Jayn is going to be four in about 2 weeks, and rarely brushes her teeth.
Sometimes she says her teeth hurt, and has allowed me to look in her
mouth at the sore place, but the soreness seems to move at will. I can't
see any bad looking rotting or cavities like I have seen in pictures
procured online. On rare occasions she had bad breath and one of us
mentions it as being some food caught and she will brush then. She
really hates pretty much all the toothpastes we have tried, including
the kid's flavors. She is more likely to brush with plain water when in
the tub. We have a bunch of brushes, electric and otherwise which she
now uses to scrub the tub or her dolls. I let her know when her teeth
seem to be yellow with food, and she often will then brush. I tell her
that she is more likely to get cavities and need fillings if she never
brushes, as that seems reasonable, and shown her images that seem to be
fascinating to her. I stress that it is especially a good idea if she
has been eating chocolate. I think we were lucky in that she had no
teeth at all until 8 days before her first birthday. I also feel good
that we are still nursing. Sometimes I get concerned that her teeth will
suffer, but so far, so good. I model brushing, flossing and tongue
scraping because without assiduous effort I have inherited a tendency to
bad breath. My dh never suffers from it, and brushes his teeth only
once/day, and flosses if he feels something stuck. He has a crown, but
it was from an accident not cavities. I hope Jayn has his strong teeth.
Robyn Coburn
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sometimes she says her teeth hurt, and has allowed me to look in her
mouth at the sore place, but the soreness seems to move at will. I can't
see any bad looking rotting or cavities like I have seen in pictures
procured online. On rare occasions she had bad breath and one of us
mentions it as being some food caught and she will brush then. She
really hates pretty much all the toothpastes we have tried, including
the kid's flavors. She is more likely to brush with plain water when in
the tub. We have a bunch of brushes, electric and otherwise which she
now uses to scrub the tub or her dolls. I let her know when her teeth
seem to be yellow with food, and she often will then brush. I tell her
that she is more likely to get cavities and need fillings if she never
brushes, as that seems reasonable, and shown her images that seem to be
fascinating to her. I stress that it is especially a good idea if she
has been eating chocolate. I think we were lucky in that she had no
teeth at all until 8 days before her first birthday. I also feel good
that we are still nursing. Sometimes I get concerned that her teeth will
suffer, but so far, so good. I model brushing, flossing and tongue
scraping because without assiduous effort I have inherited a tendency to
bad breath. My dh never suffers from it, and brushes his teeth only
once/day, and flosses if he feels something stuck. He has a crown, but
it was from an accident not cavities. I hope Jayn has his strong teeth.
Robyn Coburn
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Robyn Coburn
<<btw we replace brushes every 3-4 months. Sometimes more often. I
also
keep brushes locked away in a cabinet, the idea of toilet water
spritzing my toothbrush is disgusting. >>
My mother's dentist told her that she should always replace her
toothbrush after staying in a hotel because hotel bathrooms are
generally dark, without windows. Being in the dark rather than natural
sunlight causes the germs to multiply even faster.
Robyn Coburn
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
also
keep brushes locked away in a cabinet, the idea of toilet water
spritzing my toothbrush is disgusting. >>
My mother's dentist told her that she should always replace her
toothbrush after staying in a hotel because hotel bathrooms are
generally dark, without windows. Being in the dark rather than natural
sunlight causes the germs to multiply even faster.
Robyn Coburn
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 10/6/03 01:44:09 AM Central Daylight Time,
SandraDodd@... writes:
In a message dated 10/5/2003 11:33:07 PM Mountain Daylight Time,
sheran@... writes:
=\=At first he told me that his teeth hurt so he didn't
want me to brush them. -=-
When new molars are coming in it can make all the teeth hurt.
-=-I've explained to him about cavities, and about how he can avoid
getting them by brushing.-=-
We've all been told that for years, but it might not be true.
There are genetic factors, and there is a bacterial infection which causes
dental caries, which many dentists don't even know and few who know will
admit.
And it's been said for a long time that toothbrushes are nastily full of
bacteria themselves, but still people don't even wash their toothbrushes,
they
just rinse them out. They'll wash cups, or use disposables, but the
toothbrushes stay months or years, sometimes without ever being boiled, even.
<SNIP>
We saw a program on Discovery Channel or maybe National Geographic Channel
about bugs and pests and things that are in a home that are unhealthy. One of
the things they showed was when someone goes to the bathroom and flushes the
toilet a very fine mist of toilet water raises up. It takes awhile, but
eventually spreads around the room and settles on all surfaces. So if someone in the
house is sick and uses the toilet those germs will settle on a toothbrush that
might be left out on the sink. Moly and Jack looked at me with *Ewww Gross*
looks on their faces. I got the keys and we went right to the store. We bought
new toothbrushes and those travel caps, and a new cup for them. We put the caps
on and put the brushes in the cup and put the cup in the medicine cabinet. We
uses to leave the cup by the sink. NO MORE!
-=-I think that maybe
his teeth really didn't hurt.
-=-
Maybe you scared him.
Maybe they're not hurting in any cavity way, but just in new-tooth ways.
<SNIP>
Moly is getting a new molar. She does not want to brush. She is using a mouth
wash until her teeth feel better.
.
-=-I'm not sure what he's holding out for. Maybe he's waiting to see if
he really will get cavities if he doesn't brush? I don't know. -=-
Maybe his teeth hurt.
Maybe he wants to feel in charge of his own mouth.
My kids don't always brush. Sometiems they brush lots. Sometimes they floss
lots. Sometimes they forget.
I know two people who got to adulthood without a single cavity, and without
brushing their teeth. One grew up in India and their toothbrushing is quite
different. It involved, in those days, chewing on the end of a certain kind
of
twig and then using it kind oflike a toothpick. The other person just didn't
brush, and she never had a cavity.
<SNIP>
I rarely brushed as a child. I never had one cavity. Once my childhood
dentist told my Mom that I had more perfect teeth than someone who had spent
thousands on dental care. Until I was sixteen and got my wisdom teeth, my teeth were
perfectly straight. When they started to come in they pushed my teeth and I
have one on the bottom row that is crooked now, other than that I had a good
mouth. Now as an adult I am more conscientious about brushing. I do it twice a
day, sometimes more, and I have three cavities.
Eating carrots and apples helps clean teeth.
Rinsing with water, using a toothpick, wiping his teeth with a wet
washcloth--there are other ways than pressing a point which might not be
worth pressing.
Sandra
************************************
He might not like toothpaste. That is why I hated to brush as a child.
Toothpaste burned my mouth. And I have a poor gag reflex, so on top of a burning
mouth, I was constantly feeling like I was going to puke. Maybe you could ask him
if he doesn't want to brush because of this. Maybe if he just used the brush
and no toothpaste and a little of some mild mouthwash? Maybe his toothbrush is
too hard? Have you bought him a soft one? Maybe like Sandra suggested he
could get a washcloth nice and warm and rub his teeth and gums, that is what I
used when my kids were very little and just started getting teeth. Jack used to
swallow the toothpaste and it always made him sick to his stomach. Is your son
swallowing the toothpaste? So many things could be happening that are putting
him off. I hope you can find something that helps.
~Nancy
He felt that his whole life was some kind of dream and he sometimes wondered
whose it was and whether they were enjoying it.
Douglas Adams
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
SandraDodd@... writes:
In a message dated 10/5/2003 11:33:07 PM Mountain Daylight Time,
sheran@... writes:
=\=At first he told me that his teeth hurt so he didn't
want me to brush them. -=-
When new molars are coming in it can make all the teeth hurt.
-=-I've explained to him about cavities, and about how he can avoid
getting them by brushing.-=-
We've all been told that for years, but it might not be true.
There are genetic factors, and there is a bacterial infection which causes
dental caries, which many dentists don't even know and few who know will
admit.
And it's been said for a long time that toothbrushes are nastily full of
bacteria themselves, but still people don't even wash their toothbrushes,
they
just rinse them out. They'll wash cups, or use disposables, but the
toothbrushes stay months or years, sometimes without ever being boiled, even.
<SNIP>
We saw a program on Discovery Channel or maybe National Geographic Channel
about bugs and pests and things that are in a home that are unhealthy. One of
the things they showed was when someone goes to the bathroom and flushes the
toilet a very fine mist of toilet water raises up. It takes awhile, but
eventually spreads around the room and settles on all surfaces. So if someone in the
house is sick and uses the toilet those germs will settle on a toothbrush that
might be left out on the sink. Moly and Jack looked at me with *Ewww Gross*
looks on their faces. I got the keys and we went right to the store. We bought
new toothbrushes and those travel caps, and a new cup for them. We put the caps
on and put the brushes in the cup and put the cup in the medicine cabinet. We
uses to leave the cup by the sink. NO MORE!
-=-I think that maybe
his teeth really didn't hurt.
-=-
Maybe you scared him.
Maybe they're not hurting in any cavity way, but just in new-tooth ways.
<SNIP>
Moly is getting a new molar. She does not want to brush. She is using a mouth
wash until her teeth feel better.
.
-=-I'm not sure what he's holding out for. Maybe he's waiting to see if
he really will get cavities if he doesn't brush? I don't know. -=-
Maybe his teeth hurt.
Maybe he wants to feel in charge of his own mouth.
My kids don't always brush. Sometiems they brush lots. Sometimes they floss
lots. Sometimes they forget.
I know two people who got to adulthood without a single cavity, and without
brushing their teeth. One grew up in India and their toothbrushing is quite
different. It involved, in those days, chewing on the end of a certain kind
of
twig and then using it kind oflike a toothpick. The other person just didn't
brush, and she never had a cavity.
<SNIP>
I rarely brushed as a child. I never had one cavity. Once my childhood
dentist told my Mom that I had more perfect teeth than someone who had spent
thousands on dental care. Until I was sixteen and got my wisdom teeth, my teeth were
perfectly straight. When they started to come in they pushed my teeth and I
have one on the bottom row that is crooked now, other than that I had a good
mouth. Now as an adult I am more conscientious about brushing. I do it twice a
day, sometimes more, and I have three cavities.
Eating carrots and apples helps clean teeth.
Rinsing with water, using a toothpick, wiping his teeth with a wet
washcloth--there are other ways than pressing a point which might not be
worth pressing.
Sandra
************************************
He might not like toothpaste. That is why I hated to brush as a child.
Toothpaste burned my mouth. And I have a poor gag reflex, so on top of a burning
mouth, I was constantly feeling like I was going to puke. Maybe you could ask him
if he doesn't want to brush because of this. Maybe if he just used the brush
and no toothpaste and a little of some mild mouthwash? Maybe his toothbrush is
too hard? Have you bought him a soft one? Maybe like Sandra suggested he
could get a washcloth nice and warm and rub his teeth and gums, that is what I
used when my kids were very little and just started getting teeth. Jack used to
swallow the toothpaste and it always made him sick to his stomach. Is your son
swallowing the toothpaste? So many things could be happening that are putting
him off. I hope you can find something that helps.
~Nancy
He felt that his whole life was some kind of dream and he sometimes wondered
whose it was and whether they were enjoying it.
Douglas Adams
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Fetteroll
on 10/6/03 3:45 AM, Robyn Coburn at dezigna@... wrote:
petri dishes and some toothbrushes under various conditions ...
Here's a link:
http://www.pbs.org/weta/roughscience/challenges/bacteria/page5.html
Joyce
> My mother's dentist told her that she should always replace herOkay, what we need is some gelatin, some microbial medium, some substitute
> toothbrush after staying in a hotel because hotel bathrooms are
> generally dark, without windows. Being in the dark rather than natural
> sunlight causes the germs to multiply even faster.
petri dishes and some toothbrushes under various conditions ...
Here's a link:
http://www.pbs.org/weta/roughscience/challenges/bacteria/page5.html
Joyce
Fetteroll
on 10/6/03 1:32 AM, kayb85 at sheran@... wrote:
invite him to keep you company while you brush your teeth but don't make it
an issue of him brushing his teeth.
Maybe give him a wet toothbrush (new one so it doesn't retain the toothpaste
taste if that bothers him) when you're reading to him in bed.
Joyce
> He always used to just brush at theI always brushed with my daughter so it was a social time. Maybe you could
> same time his brother brushed. Sometimes his sister and I brushed at
> the same time as them too.
invite him to keep you company while you brush your teeth but don't make it
an issue of him brushing his teeth.
Maybe give him a wet toothbrush (new one so it doesn't retain the toothpaste
taste if that bothers him) when you're reading to him in bed.
Joyce
[email protected]
In a message dated 10/6/03 2:54:28 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
joylyn@... writes:
btw we replace brushes every 3-4 months. Sometimes more often. I also
keep brushes locked away in a cabinet, the idea of toilet water
spritzing my toothbrush is disgusting.
Which makes me wonder, WHY DO WE INSIST ON KEEPING THOSE BRUSHES IN THE
BATHROOM ANYWAY?
Tracy
(who also keeps hers in the bathroom, but, still wonders WHY)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
joylyn@... writes:
btw we replace brushes every 3-4 months. Sometimes more often. I also
keep brushes locked away in a cabinet, the idea of toilet water
spritzing my toothbrush is disgusting.
Which makes me wonder, WHY DO WE INSIST ON KEEPING THOSE BRUSHES IN THE
BATHROOM ANYWAY?
Tracy
(who also keeps hers in the bathroom, but, still wonders WHY)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
catherine aceto
My daughter (nearly 6) doesnt' use toothpaste - just water and a toothbrush. Out of curiousity, I asked her dentist who said that it was pretty common for kids of that age not to like/use toothpaste and really didn't make much (if any) difference.
We've never forced brushing her teeth (altho we did play toothbrushing games when she was 2 or 3 like naming each tooth, or pretending to be someone else brushing her teeth). For a couple of years the toothbrushing was pretty hit or miss (although we probably mostly got at least 50% brushing). Now she remembers brushing and makes sure it happens every night. She has never had a cavity. Both her father and I have good teeth, though.
I did force her to sit through a dental cleaning for a first visit to the dentist when she was 4 -- which I view as a HUGE betrayal and something that I would NEVER do again. Fortunately it does not appear to have turned her off dentists -- though who knows what kind of damage it may have done in terms of not having her body boundaries respected......sigh.......
-Cat
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
We've never forced brushing her teeth (altho we did play toothbrushing games when she was 2 or 3 like naming each tooth, or pretending to be someone else brushing her teeth). For a couple of years the toothbrushing was pretty hit or miss (although we probably mostly got at least 50% brushing). Now she remembers brushing and makes sure it happens every night. She has never had a cavity. Both her father and I have good teeth, though.
I did force her to sit through a dental cleaning for a first visit to the dentist when she was 4 -- which I view as a HUGE betrayal and something that I would NEVER do again. Fortunately it does not appear to have turned her off dentists -- though who knows what kind of damage it may have done in terms of not having her body boundaries respected......sigh.......
-Cat
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
TreeGoddess
SandraDodd@... wrote:
stores like that called Peelu that's made from the peelu tree in Asia
and the Middle East. I bought some and it wasn't bad..... didn't have a
lot of "volume" to it though so I kept putting more and more in my
mouth. LOL
TreeGoddess
>One grew up in India and their toothbrushing is quite different. It involved, in those days, chewing on the end of a certain kind of twig and then using it kind oflike a toothpick.I think that's Peelu. There is a "chewing gum" at Whole Foods and
>
stores like that called Peelu that's made from the peelu tree in Asia
and the Middle East. I bought some and it wasn't bad..... didn't have a
lot of "volume" to it though so I kept putting more and more in my
mouth. LOL
TreeGoddess
Shyrley
Mary wrote:
As for the importance of tooth brushing, Heather questioned me on this
the other day. She had her teeth brushed twice a day by me or her father
until she was 9. We went to the dentist the other day and he reckoned
she has 9 cavities. I'm leaving the alleged cavities until we get home
cos treatment is free in England plus I don't trust any dentist who gets
more money the more work he does......My two boys have been more lax
about brushing and they have no cavities. Heather now reckons my theory
about toothbrushing is a load of plop. Hrad to convince her otherwise
based on the evidence :-(
They mainly brush their teeth now cos if they don't their breath smells.
Try that one.
Shyrley
>From: "kayb85" <sheran@...>It might just be a phase he's going through (gawds I sound like my mother).
>
><< Any suggestions? Would this concern you too? >>
>
>
>All the suggestions I would have you have tried. And yes it would concern
>me. Teeth brushing is something important to me. Fortunately my kids think
>so too. I am very curious as to what others may say about this one. Good
>luck.
>
>
>Mary B.
>http://www.homeschoolingtshirts.com
>
>
>
>
As for the importance of tooth brushing, Heather questioned me on this
the other day. She had her teeth brushed twice a day by me or her father
until she was 9. We went to the dentist the other day and he reckoned
she has 9 cavities. I'm leaving the alleged cavities until we get home
cos treatment is free in England plus I don't trust any dentist who gets
more money the more work he does......My two boys have been more lax
about brushing and they have no cavities. Heather now reckons my theory
about toothbrushing is a load of plop. Hrad to convince her otherwise
based on the evidence :-(
They mainly brush their teeth now cos if they don't their breath smells.
Try that one.
Shyrley
Heidi
We get Peelu chewing gum from our food co-op, and the smallness of
the piece is PERFECT for me. Just the size I like.
Even though I know that peelu is a tooth strengthening fiber...I
never thought of substituting it for brushing...hmmm...and I bet it
doesn't effect bone density, the way fluoride does, either....hmmm...
:)
HeidiC
--- In [email protected], TreeGoddess
<treegoddess@c...> wrote:
twig and then using it kind oflike a toothpick.
the piece is PERFECT for me. Just the size I like.
Even though I know that peelu is a tooth strengthening fiber...I
never thought of substituting it for brushing...hmmm...and I bet it
doesn't effect bone density, the way fluoride does, either....hmmm...
:)
HeidiC
--- In [email protected], TreeGoddess
<treegoddess@c...> wrote:
> SandraDodd@a... wrote:It involved, in those days, chewing on the end of a certain kind of
>
> >One grew up in India and their toothbrushing is quite different.
twig and then using it kind oflike a toothpick.
> >Asia
>
> I think that's Peelu. There is a "chewing gum" at Whole Foods and
> stores like that called Peelu that's made from the peelu tree in
> and the Middle East. I bought some and it wasn't bad..... didn'thave a
> lot of "volume" to it though so I kept putting more and more in my
> mouth. LOL
>
> TreeGoddess
kayb85
> When new molars are coming in it can make all the teeth hurt.I asked him which teeth hurt and he pointed to his front ones.
>Good point!
> -=-I've explained to him about cavities, and about how he can avoid
> getting them by brushing.-=-
>
> We've all been told that for years, but it might not be true.
> You've moving from a benign traditional play to a detailedmanipulative fib
> with that, though.were not
>
> Having a tooth fairy is risky enough (I did it too, but the kids
> altogether thrilled to find out I'd fooled them). Using the toothfairy as an
> enforcer of ideas that will probably one day be proven to have beenquite wrong
> is kinda like threatening that Santa will leave coal or sticks ifthey don't
> go to sleep by 8:00 and drink eight glasses of water a day.I should clarify...He knows that I am the tooth fairy, Santa and the
Easter Bunny. When I said that the tooth fairy doesn't give money
for rotten, falling out teeth, he knew it meant that *I* wouldn't
give money for rotten, falling out teeth.
> Maybe he wants to feel in charge of his own mouth.That's probably it. Yet he IS in control of his own mouth. As the
youngest, he's had the benefit of never having to deal with much of
my coercive parenting. He's never been forced to do anything with
his own mouth. So I guess I'm thinking why wouldn't he want to do
something that is good for him.
> I've known people who were conscientious about brushing whicheverdirection
> the ADA thought was good that year, and they still had cavities.Yeah, my daughter has always brushed every day. I used to tell her
to brush so she didn't get cavities and then she did get cavities. I
never had cavities myself, so I figured it must have been because I
brushed every day. My four year old doesn't brush well and at the
last dentist visit she told me to keep up the good work, and that she
could see that we do a good job of brushing. (I didn't tell her the
truth!) What's worrying me is that the brushing is getting worse.
I'm kind of feeling like we pushed it before, and that if we push it
even more he'll really end up with a cavity this time. If I look at
it like that, though, his sister brushed and still got cavities and
it wasn't the end of the world. So if he doesn't brush and does get
a few cavities, it's not the end of the world either.
> Eating carrots and apples helps clean teeth.Good idea!
Thanks,
Sheila
kayb85
I got the keys and we went right to the store. We bought
bacteria to grow?
Sheila
> new toothbrushes and those travel caps, and a new cup for them. Weput the caps
> on and put the brushes in the cup and put the cup in the medicinecabinet. We
> uses to leave the cup by the sink. NO MORE!Wouldn't putting a wet toothbrush away in a travel cap allow for more
bacteria to grow?
Sheila
Tia Leschke
>A dental hygienist once told me that eating cheese after something sticky
>Eating carrots and apples helps clean teeth.
>Rinsing with water, using a toothpick, wiping his teeth with a wet
>washcloth--there are other ways than pressing a point which might not be
>worth pressing.
like raisins will clean off the stickies.
Tia
[email protected]
Bad breath is sometimes from stomach stuff, not teeth at all.
That's another thing that's put ALL on "dental hygiene," unfairly. My sister
had bad breath as a child, but it wasn't her mouth, it was some digestive
problem my parents didn't known or care about (and doctors might not have known
either).
Sandra
That's another thing that's put ALL on "dental hygiene," unfairly. My sister
had bad breath as a child, but it wasn't her mouth, it was some digestive
problem my parents didn't known or care about (and doctors might not have known
either).
Sandra
[email protected]
In a message dated 10/6/03 3:50:14 AM, Dnowens@... writes:
<< Toothpaste burned my mouth. And I have a poor gag reflex, so on top of a
burning
mouth, I was constantly feeling like I was going to puke. >>
Me too.
My dad often used baking soda and salt. That's a fun change sometimes!
Just like with shampoo changes, changing tooth-cleaning "stuff" seems to get
them quite cleaner at first.
You just put about a teaspoon of baking soda and maybe half a teaspoon of
salt, mix it up a little (in a measuring cup or a little lid or whatever), wet
the toothbrush, set it on that stuff, and use it like toothpaste, refilling it
when it's getting old.
That doesn't burn or gag you.
Rinse a lot as you go, too. Some people seem to do all their brushing
without rinsing during, and that's gag-stuff for sure.
Sandra
<< Toothpaste burned my mouth. And I have a poor gag reflex, so on top of a
burning
mouth, I was constantly feeling like I was going to puke. >>
Me too.
My dad often used baking soda and salt. That's a fun change sometimes!
Just like with shampoo changes, changing tooth-cleaning "stuff" seems to get
them quite cleaner at first.
You just put about a teaspoon of baking soda and maybe half a teaspoon of
salt, mix it up a little (in a measuring cup or a little lid or whatever), wet
the toothbrush, set it on that stuff, and use it like toothpaste, refilling it
when it's getting old.
That doesn't burn or gag you.
Rinse a lot as you go, too. Some people seem to do all their brushing
without rinsing during, and that's gag-stuff for sure.
Sandra
liza sabater
On Monday, October 6, 2003, at 09:13 AM, catherine aceto wrote:
that company that fluoride toothpaste is, well, not necessary for
proper oral hygiene; that, if you do not have a healthy diet and
overall good health, your teeth will not follow suit. My job was to
create the product and policy reference manual for the US company but
that ended up being used worldwide at all their consumer affairs
departments. Let's say that I had to wrangle with a lot of ethical
dilemmas in putting what in truth ended up being an encyclopedia of
everything Colgate-Palmolive. Their legal and marketing department
always wanted the information to look like they had no fault or were
not manipulating information to their advantage.
If you read the instructions on the box, it says to use a pea-sized dot
of toothpaste for brushing. In the commercials, they use at least 3
times the amount of toothpaste necessary. So people follow suit and
they make more money because a tube runs out 3 times as fast. With
kids, it's a similar story. Mints and cinnamon makes kids mouth like
it's burning. So they use bubble gum flavors and the like. Problem is
that many kids use too much TP and end up with mottled teeth --caused
by the over-consumption of fluoride. They know that it is difficult to
stop kids from eating anything that tastes like candy but if it means
that it insures profits, hey! why not?
The fact is that many water-supplies in this country have fluoride
naturally or added by public health law. Technically we really do not
need fluoride TP in this country --and they know it. But it ensures
profits because people's ignorance makes them believe that a
cosmeceutical like fluoride TP is better than just having a balanced
diet, drinking lots of water and brushing every day.
This is just one example. Don't even get me started with tartar control
TP or, even worse, those EVIL whitening TPs.
While working there I stumbled upon research suggesting that in Asia,
especially China, given the overall consumption of GREEN TEA (which is
very high in fluoride) tooth decay is not as rampant as in other
countries. This report took me to a meeting where R&D, marketing and
legal people laughed at someone's quip that "Well, let's see about
that". They just can't wait for the day McDonald's and Coca-Cola are so
huge in China that they'll just come in blasting from the sky to "save"
all those Chinese pearly whites.
Capitalism at its worse.
/ l i z a, nyc
============================
http://culturekitchen.com
http://liza.typepad.com
> My daughter (nearly 6) doesnt' use toothpaste - just water and aI worked at Colgate-Palmolive here in NYC and it is not a secret at
> toothbrush. Out of curiousity, I asked her dentist who said that it
> was pretty common for kids of that age not to like/use toothpaste and
> really didn't make much (if any) difference.
>
that company that fluoride toothpaste is, well, not necessary for
proper oral hygiene; that, if you do not have a healthy diet and
overall good health, your teeth will not follow suit. My job was to
create the product and policy reference manual for the US company but
that ended up being used worldwide at all their consumer affairs
departments. Let's say that I had to wrangle with a lot of ethical
dilemmas in putting what in truth ended up being an encyclopedia of
everything Colgate-Palmolive. Their legal and marketing department
always wanted the information to look like they had no fault or were
not manipulating information to their advantage.
If you read the instructions on the box, it says to use a pea-sized dot
of toothpaste for brushing. In the commercials, they use at least 3
times the amount of toothpaste necessary. So people follow suit and
they make more money because a tube runs out 3 times as fast. With
kids, it's a similar story. Mints and cinnamon makes kids mouth like
it's burning. So they use bubble gum flavors and the like. Problem is
that many kids use too much TP and end up with mottled teeth --caused
by the over-consumption of fluoride. They know that it is difficult to
stop kids from eating anything that tastes like candy but if it means
that it insures profits, hey! why not?
The fact is that many water-supplies in this country have fluoride
naturally or added by public health law. Technically we really do not
need fluoride TP in this country --and they know it. But it ensures
profits because people's ignorance makes them believe that a
cosmeceutical like fluoride TP is better than just having a balanced
diet, drinking lots of water and brushing every day.
This is just one example. Don't even get me started with tartar control
TP or, even worse, those EVIL whitening TPs.
While working there I stumbled upon research suggesting that in Asia,
especially China, given the overall consumption of GREEN TEA (which is
very high in fluoride) tooth decay is not as rampant as in other
countries. This report took me to a meeting where R&D, marketing and
legal people laughed at someone's quip that "Well, let's see about
that". They just can't wait for the day McDonald's and Coca-Cola are so
huge in China that they'll just come in blasting from the sky to "save"
all those Chinese pearly whites.
Capitalism at its worse.
/ l i z a, nyc
============================
http://culturekitchen.com
http://liza.typepad.com
kayb85
I got the keys and we went right to the store. We bought
bacteria to grow?
Sheila
> new toothbrushes and those travel caps, and a new cup for them. Weput the caps
> on and put the brushes in the cup and put the cup in the medicinecabinet. We
> uses to leave the cup by the sink. NO MORE!Wouldn't putting a wet toothbrush away in a travel cap allow for more
bacteria to grow?
Sheila
kayb85
--- In [email protected], "kayb85" <sheran@p...>
wrote:
that I read too fast and missed the word *all* in your post! Ooops!
Sheila
wrote:
>I have to apologize for this...I just re-read my post and realized
> > When new molars are coming in it can make all the teeth hurt.
>
> I asked him which teeth hurt and he pointed to his front ones.
that I read too fast and missed the word *all* in your post! Ooops!
Sheila
kayb85
Don't even get me started with tartar control
me curious. What is evil about whitening tps?
Sheila
> TP or, even worse, those EVIL whitening TPs.I know you just said not to get you started <grin>, but you now have
me curious. What is evil about whitening tps?
Sheila
Shyrley
Heidi wrote:
Shyrley
>We get Peelu chewing gum from our food co-op, and the smallness ofProbably dunt damage your nervous system like flouride does either....
>the piece is PERFECT for me. Just the size I like.
>
>Even though I know that peelu is a tooth strengthening fiber...I
>never thought of substituting it for brushing...hmmm...and I bet it
>doesn't effect bone density, the way fluoride does, either....hmmm...
>
>:)
>
>HeidiC
>
>
>
Shyrley
>
>
>
>
Betsy
**We've never forced brushing her teeth (altho we did play toothbrushing
games when she was 2 or 3 like naming each tooth, or pretending to be
someone else brushing her teeth). **
I almost forgot. When my son was 4, my husband would brush son's teeth
while I put a sheet over my head and pretended to be a very large, dying
colony of bacteria. It was kind of strenuous <g>, but I preferred the
big comedy routine to any kind of more forcible attempt and I really
wanted those teeth brushed.
Betsy
games when she was 2 or 3 like naming each tooth, or pretending to be
someone else brushing her teeth). **
I almost forgot. When my son was 4, my husband would brush son's teeth
while I put a sheet over my head and pretended to be a very large, dying
colony of bacteria. It was kind of strenuous <g>, but I preferred the
big comedy routine to any kind of more forcible attempt and I really
wanted those teeth brushed.
Betsy
catherine aceto
ROTFL -- thanks for that image.
-cat
-cat
----- Original Message -----
From: Betsy
To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 2:03 PM
Subject: Re: [UnschoolingDiscussion] Tooth brushing
**We've never forced brushing her teeth (altho we did play toothbrushing
games when she was 2 or 3 like naming each tooth, or pretending to be
someone else brushing her teeth). **
I almost forgot. When my son was 4, my husband would brush son's teeth
while I put a sheet over my head and pretended to be a very large, dying
colony of bacteria. It was kind of strenuous <g>, but I preferred the
big comedy routine to any kind of more forcible attempt and I really
wanted those teeth brushed.
Betsy
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 10/6/03 10:38:48 AM Central Daylight Time, sheran@...
writes:
Wouldn't putting a wet toothbrush away in a travel cap allow for more
bacteria to grow?
Sheila
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
OH Thank You Very Much! :o\
~Nancy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
writes:
Wouldn't putting a wet toothbrush away in a travel cap allow for more
bacteria to grow?
Sheila
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
OH Thank You Very Much! :o\
~Nancy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Robyn Coburn
<<You just put about a teaspoon of baking soda and maybe half a teaspoon
of
salt, mix it up a little (in a measuring cup or a little lid or
whatever), wet
the toothbrush, set it on that stuff, and use it like toothpaste,
refilling it
when it's getting old.>>
For years in Australia, I just used baking soda - a period in my life
completely free of cavities. I wonder why I stopped? I always understood
that it works both mechanically as a gentle abrasive, and chemically to
neutralize the acid from sugars on the teeth.
What is the purpose of the salt in the mixture?
Robyn Coburn
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
of
salt, mix it up a little (in a measuring cup or a little lid or
whatever), wet
the toothbrush, set it on that stuff, and use it like toothpaste,
refilling it
when it's getting old.>>
For years in Australia, I just used baking soda - a period in my life
completely free of cavities. I wonder why I stopped? I always understood
that it works both mechanically as a gentle abrasive, and chemically to
neutralize the acid from sugars on the teeth.
What is the purpose of the salt in the mixture?
Robyn Coburn
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 10/6/03 11:46:21 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
SandraDodd@... writes:
involved.
Teresa
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
SandraDodd@... writes:
> Bad breath is sometimes from stomach stuff, not teeth at all.Yeah, another major cause of bad breath is sinus drainage.. again, no teeth
> That's another thing that's put ALL on "dental hygiene," unfairly
involved.
Teresa
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 10/6/03 3:55:38 PM, dezigna@... writes:
<< What is the purpose of the salt in the mixture? >>
I have no idea. <g>
No I have an idea, but I could be wrong.
Quicker abrasion, and it makes the mixture with water less gaggy (for me)
than straight baking soda. The two together, when wet, seem to liquify better?
Sandra
<< What is the purpose of the salt in the mixture? >>
I have no idea. <g>
No I have an idea, but I could be wrong.
Quicker abrasion, and it makes the mixture with water less gaggy (for me)
than straight baking soda. The two together, when wet, seem to liquify better?
Sandra