Worried about teeth

[reren]

I think what I need to do is take my son to the dentist but I wonder if any mums have any advise / words of wisdom. We recently went through a phase w my 2 and a half year old when he wouldn't let me brush his teeth and wouldn't touch the tooth brush himself. It lasted quite a while (6 months?) and in that time he went many times without having teeth brushed - I did do some pinning him down and forcing the toothbrush into his mouth but I was worried it would give him a complex and so more times than not we just let it go. Finally we are in a new phase and he's loving brushing and doing it reasonably well - though I'm sure not getting the back teeth get that super clean... I just had a good look at his back teeth and gave myself a bit of a fright as they are a bit brown in the middle of the molars! Have I let his teeth rot already! Eek. He doesn't eat sweets but does have some fruit juice (v watered down) though we try and stick to water - and he loves fruit ...

Any experience of similar and advice on a nice local dentist to take him to see?

[Fuschia]

We go to dental Clinique in balham. A forumite is one of the dentists there (I won't out her!)

Our family do suffer with teeth and I am afraid several of them have had little fillings. It doesn't have to be a huge deal.

Suggest you make an appt for both of you, in the hope he will let them have a look after he has seen you have your own check up?

[Fuschia]

Also are you using 1400ppm toothpaste? I believe that is recommended if children seem to be prone or at risk of cavities.

Don't despair. It's surprisingly common, I don't think it's entirely related to tooth cleaning efficacy or diet even, some families carry particularly virulent mouth bacteria that seize any opportunity while others seem to be almost immune despite poor dental hygiene and worse diets.

[Saffron]

Can be due to weak enamel, which also sometimes runs in families. Or, maybe the teeth are just stained. Not sure from your description. I'm not sure you can really tell what the problem is by just looking anyway. I think dentist needs to check them.

We had a lot of trouble initially getting Little Saff to brush her teeth. There was a period of time where we didn't do a great deal of brushing either. Her teeth seem ok, but I suppose we need to take her to a dentist too. I read that you should book a double appointment, so your LO can sit on your lap and watch the dentist check your teeth before you child has his/her own teeth checked. Maybe worth a try? xx

[Fuschia]

Reading a book about going to the dentist is useful too