Comments on: A Message to the Pediatric Dentists of America… http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/a-message-to-the-pediatric-dentists-of-america/ Moms of Multiples Tell it Like it Is Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:03:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Viv http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/a-message-to-the-pediatric-dentists-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-5430 Viv Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:33:04 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3008#comment-5430 Ummm...I steer clear of the dentist at that age and instead let their doctor keep an eye on their teeth. Works for the doc, works for me and the kids. She is much more realistic about what children that age are capable of (like taking off Mom's finger) than a dentist. .-= Viv´s last blog ..<a href="http://mymommyneedsatimeout.blogspot.com/2009/07/hey-mom.html" rel="nofollow">Hey Mom!</a> =-. Ummm…I steer clear of the dentist at that age and instead let their doctor keep an eye on their teeth. Works for the doc, works for me and the kids. She is much more realistic about what children that age are capable of (like taking off Mom’s finger) than a dentist.
.-= Viv´s last blog ..Hey Mom! =-.

]]> By: Dean http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/a-message-to-the-pediatric-dentists-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-5424 Dean Sun, 26 Jul 2009 21:24:46 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3008#comment-5424 Well, looks like your friends here have some pretty good suggestions. Yes, it can be quite difficult to brush teeth (or do anything at such a young age). I suppose us dentists are so proactive here is that we see two year olds almost every day with severe decay and anything we can do to avoid the consequences of that are worth an effort. If it makes you feel any better, my own son did the same thing-that is, put up a great big fit just to brush teeth..however, it was worse at two years old (the terrible twos) than at one for me. One more tip--if less than 24 months old, you don't really need the "baby toothpaste". It's the actual brushing that does the job-so save your money, just use water. Some kids it seems don't like Any flavor of toothpaste-so just brush with water if thats the issue. As they get older you can switch to regular fluoridated toothpaste, which is helpful. It does get better with age---and yes, we are half-crazy to go into Pediatric Dentistry. .-= Dean´s last blog ..<a href="http://cyberdentist.blogspot.com/2009/07/nasa-apollo-40-years.html" rel="nofollow">NASA, Apollo & 40 years</a> =-. Well, looks like your friends here have some pretty good suggestions. Yes, it can be quite difficult to brush teeth (or do anything at such a young age). I suppose us dentists are so proactive here is that we see two year olds almost every day with severe decay and anything we can do to avoid the consequences of that are worth an effort. If it makes you feel any better, my own son did the same thing-that is, put up a great big fit just to brush teeth..however, it was worse at two years old (the terrible twos) than at one for me. One more tip–if less than 24 months old, you don’t really need the “baby toothpaste”. It’s the actual brushing that does the job-so save your money, just use water. Some kids it seems don’t like Any flavor of toothpaste-so just brush with water if thats the issue. As they get older you can switch to regular fluoridated toothpaste, which is helpful. It does get better with age—and yes, we are half-crazy to go into Pediatric Dentistry.
.-= Dean´s last blog ..NASA, Apollo & 40 years =-.

]]> By: reanbean http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/a-message-to-the-pediatric-dentists-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-5348 reanbean Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:39:25 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3008#comment-5348 I'm glad you could find some humor in this topic. I feel so awful every night when I hold my children down to brush their teeth. I can't figure out what they're crying about. I try so hard to be gentle. We started early, sing songs, recite favorite books, etc. and they still wiggle and cry. I keep at it because I know it's good for them. Hopefully some of these suggestions will help us too. I’m glad you could find some humor in this topic. I feel so awful every night when I hold my children down to brush their teeth. I can’t figure out what they’re crying about. I try so hard to be gentle. We started early, sing songs, recite favorite books, etc. and they still wiggle and cry. I keep at it because I know it’s good for them. Hopefully some of these suggestions will help us too.

]]> By: Rachel http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/a-message-to-the-pediatric-dentists-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-5344 Rachel Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:09:31 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3008#comment-5344 We do the miniheadlocks when necessary. I have also been known to use my thighs as a vice for their head while their arms are stretched out - pinned under said thunderthighs. Hey, whatever works. We used to let our kids walk around with their toothbrushes, chewing and sucking on them (I'm with y'all, it should count!) but our dentist informed us that this is one of the top 5 reasons for EMS calls (trips/falls can lead to the toothbrush protruding from their necks/throats). Now they can chew only in a chair. And only after we've brushed their teeth sufficiently. I recently wrote a blog post about our dental visit experience here: http://rajencreation.wordpress.com/2009/07/15/open-wide/ .-= Rachel´s last blog ..<a href="http://rajencreation.wordpress.com/2009/07/20/rajen-review-formula-mixer-prince-lionheart/" rel="nofollow">RaJen Review: Formula Mixer (Prince LionHeart)</a> =-. We do the miniheadlocks when necessary. I have also been known to use my thighs as a vice for their head while their arms are stretched out – pinned under said thunderthighs. Hey, whatever works.

We used to let our kids walk around with their toothbrushes, chewing and sucking on them (I’m with y’all, it should count!) but our dentist informed us that this is one of the top 5 reasons for EMS calls (trips/falls can lead to the toothbrush protruding from their necks/throats). Now they can chew only in a chair. And only after we’ve brushed their teeth sufficiently.

I recently wrote a blog post about our dental visit experience here: http://rajencreation.wordpress.com/2009/07/15/open-wide/
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..RaJen Review: Formula Mixer (Prince LionHeart) =-.

]]> By: Jen @ Diagnosis: Urine http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/a-message-to-the-pediatric-dentists-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-5343 Jen @ Diagnosis: Urine Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:14:39 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3008#comment-5343 This was hysterical! My kids have always loved "brushing" their teeth. Of course, I don't bother with the alligator wrestling and instead let them stand on a stool with the water on, and they use the toothbrush as a water delivery vehicle. I feel like I'm a great mom, and they get to play in the sink -- everyone wins! Step two of my strategy is to keep it a secret from their dentist and act like everything is going according to plan. So far it is working for me. Maybe your girls hate the toothpaste you're using. My kids have turned out to be choosy in that department. The other thing that helps in my household is that I ask to see their teeth afterward. I act skeptical that they actually brushed. Then, when they flash their pearly whites at me I act as if I've been blinded. I scream that it's "too bright!!!" and stagger around clawing at my eyes. They seem to enjoy this. .-= Jen @ Diagnosis: Urine´s last blog ..<a href="http://diagnosisurine.blogspot.com/2009/07/i-discover-i-am-clairvoyant-when-i.html" rel="nofollow">i discover i am clairvoyant when i accurately predict the ending of "titanic"</a> =-. This was hysterical! My kids have always loved “brushing” their teeth. Of course, I don’t bother with the alligator wrestling and instead let them stand on a stool with the water on, and they use the toothbrush as a water delivery vehicle. I feel like I’m a great mom, and they get to play in the sink — everyone wins! Step two of my strategy is to keep it a secret from their dentist and act like everything is going according to plan. So far it is working for me.

Maybe your girls hate the toothpaste you’re using. My kids have turned out to be choosy in that department.

The other thing that helps in my household is that I ask to see their teeth afterward. I act skeptical that they actually brushed. Then, when they flash their pearly whites at me I act as if I’ve been blinded. I scream that it’s “too bright!!!” and stagger around clawing at my eyes. They seem to enjoy this.
.-= Jen @ Diagnosis: Urine´s last blog ..i discover i am clairvoyant when i accurately predict the ending of "titanic" =-.

]]> By: Kim http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/a-message-to-the-pediatric-dentists-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-5339 Kim Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:35:42 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3008#comment-5339 My girls are one and we find just using a wet washcloth works the best while watching Baby Einstein and singing a silly song. They don't really like the brush at this point but like to chew on it, so it sounds like that's a success! My girls are one and we find just using a wet washcloth works the best while watching Baby Einstein and singing a silly song. They don’t really like the brush at this point but like to chew on it, so it sounds like that’s a success!

]]> By: Marcy http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/a-message-to-the-pediatric-dentists-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-5338 Marcy Mon, 20 Jul 2009 03:13:09 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3008#comment-5338 Wow! Such a great response... thanks for all of your suggestions! So glad to see that: a) my girls are not the only ones who lack an innate sense of dental hygiene; b) some of you count biting and/or knawing on the brush as a succes (so do we!); and, c) I should have started earlier... this may help to explain why my girls still find this such an unnerving experience! My fave suggestions are Nancy's looking for Sugar Doggies, Kitties, etc. (since my girls are way into animals) and Rhonda's "I can see what you had for dinner bit (if only they would eat... that's a topic for another blog!). Oh, and when all else fails, I'm just using LauraC's patented mini headlock ;) .-= Marcy´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/a-message-to-the-pediatric-dentists-of-america/" rel="nofollow">A Message to the Pediatric Dentists of America…</a> =-. Wow! Such a great response… thanks for all of your suggestions!

So glad to see that:

a) my girls are not the only ones who lack an innate sense of dental hygiene;

b) some of you count biting and/or knawing on the brush as a succes (so do we!); and,

c) I should have started earlier… this may help to explain why my girls still find this such an unnerving experience!

My fave suggestions are Nancy’s looking for Sugar Doggies, Kitties, etc. (since my girls are way into animals) and Rhonda’s “I can see what you had for dinner bit (if only they would eat… that’s a topic for another blog!).

Oh, and when all else fails, I’m just using LauraC’s patented mini headlock ;)
.-= Marcy´s last blog ..A Message to the Pediatric Dentists of America… =-.

]]> By: Nancy http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/a-message-to-the-pediatric-dentists-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-5336 Nancy Mon, 20 Jul 2009 02:49:55 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3008#comment-5336 All three of my kids are pretty good brushers. I think mostly because we started early with the finger brushes. (Might not be too late for those? maybe your two would like them better for a bit?) My little guy, who will be 2 in September, loves holding his own toothbrush and chewing on it. I figure that's part of the process...it's IN his mouth and touching teeth; therefore it must be doing SOMETHING in there. The only way he'll let me brush is if I'm goin' in looking for the Sugar Doggies (he "woofs" so his mouth opens and I can get in there). Or Sugar Kitties, or Sugar Cows....or whatever. It makes him giggle to think that there may be animals in there :) Oh, and I have to say "It's mommy's turn in ONE minute" otherwise...no dice. .-= Nancy´s last blog ..<a href="http://zimmerzoo.wordpress.com/2009/07/19/poor-orange/" rel="nofollow">Poor Orange</a> =-. All three of my kids are pretty good brushers. I think mostly because we started early with the finger brushes. (Might not be too late for those? maybe your two would like them better for a bit?)
My little guy, who will be 2 in September, loves holding his own toothbrush and chewing on it. I figure that’s part of the process…it’s IN his mouth and touching teeth; therefore it must be doing SOMETHING in there.
The only way he’ll let me brush is if I’m goin’ in looking for the Sugar Doggies (he “woofs” so his mouth opens and I can get in there). Or Sugar Kitties, or Sugar Cows….or whatever. It makes him giggle to think that there may be animals in there :)
Oh, and I have to say “It’s mommy’s turn in ONE minute” otherwise…no dice.
.-= Nancy´s last blog ..Poor Orange =-.

]]> By: LauraC http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/a-message-to-the-pediatric-dentists-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-5335 LauraC Mon, 20 Jul 2009 02:43:19 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3008#comment-5335 We also started early but we still had issues. I am a nutjob about dental hygiene bc my brother had to get ALL of his baby teeth capped at 4 due to dental decay. So when songs and everything else did not work, we put them in mini headlocks. They also make these tooth wipes for kids you can use instead of toothbrushes. .-= LauraC´s last blog ..<a href="http://jonandlaura.blogspot.com/2009/07/phone-photo-friday-play-along.html" rel="nofollow">Phone Photo Friday: play along!</a> =-. We also started early but we still had issues. I am a nutjob about dental hygiene bc my brother had to get ALL of his baby teeth capped at 4 due to dental decay. So when songs and everything else did not work, we put them in mini headlocks.

They also make these tooth wipes for kids you can use instead of toothbrushes.
.-= LauraC´s last blog ..Phone Photo Friday: play along! =-.

]]> By: Leah http://www.hdydi.com/2009/07/a-message-to-the-pediatric-dentists-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-5334 Leah Mon, 20 Jul 2009 02:28:37 +0000 http://www.hdydi.com/?p=3008#comment-5334 However, the first teeth are kinda a big deal because if they were to abscess, then they could infect the permanent teeth underneath. .-= Leah´s last blog ..<a href="http://joeymatis.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-terrible-horrible-no-good-very-bad.html" rel="nofollow">My terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day</a> =-. However, the first teeth are kinda a big deal because if they were to abscess, then they could infect the permanent teeth underneath.
.-= Leah´s last blog ..My terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day =-.

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