i would like to be able to polish/scrape my own teeth..

Bitsy_Beans

Toothsmith - I once heard that dry brushing your teeth before adding toothpaste was effective. Do you think this has any merit? I've been doing it and at my last check up my scale and polish didn't take as long to do. the question is was I just lucky or is the dry brushing working???!

Buttonmoons

I didn't know 3yo olds were supposed to be using adult toothpaste? I feel scammed, I thought those children's ones were perfect for DD.

Will whatever toothpaste we use be fine for her? Colgate/arm & hammer?

I feel like an idiot now, as the past few days DD has said one of her teeth is sore, I've had a look and can't see any holes/cavitys. I'm taking her to the dentist, fear not but maybe if I'd of been using the right toothpaste she wouldn't have a sore tooth.

I'm annoyed now! Stupid supermarket marketing.

jugglebug

Buttonmoons wrote: »

I didn't know 3yo olds were supposed to be using adult toothpaste? I feel scammed, I thought those children's ones were perfect for DD.

Will whatever toothpaste we use be fine for her? Colgate/arm & hammer?

I feel like an idiot now, as the past few days DD has said one of her teeth is sore, I've had a look and can't see any holes/cavitys. I'm taking her to the dentist, fear not but maybe if I'd of been using the right toothpaste she wouldn't have a sore tooth.

I'm annoyed now! Stupid supermarket marketing.

Downside with using adult toothpastes is that very often the little ones dont like the strong mint flavour most of them have. I have had more success when I use ones described as mildmint etc.
As a compromise I have been using a 6+ toothpaste for my little boy (age 3 now) since the teeth appeared, but then as a dentist I control his diet rather more than most I suspect

6+ has 1000 parts per million fluoride, adult is usually around 1350 to 1500ppm

jugglebug

ali-t wrote: »

When I want a really clean feel I use a waterpik scoosher thing that is like dental floss but water goes through the gaps in your teeth. I also use the colgate deep clean toothpaste in conjunction with this. The waterpik thing cost about £35 and since I got it and use it with a sonicare toothbrush the dentist always says my teeth are really clean.

The last research I read regarding the waterpik was not very enthusiastic.
It doesnt seem to remove all the plaque in the same way as a interdental brush or floss will, but the health of the gums is improved never the less. It was felt that the waterpik probably prevents the plaque from progressing from the early levels of bacterial composition to what the textbooks refer to as "mature plaque" that has higher levels of the nasty bugs in.
So as far as I am concerned if you like it and are getting good results then carry on.
Use the sonicare myself and wouldnt want to be without it!

BallandChain

Buttonmoons wrote: »

I didn't know 3yo olds were supposed to be using adult toothpaste? I feel scammed, I thought those children's ones were perfect for DD.

Will whatever toothpaste we use be fine for her? Colgate/arm & hammer?

I feel like an idiot now, as the past few days DD has said one of her teeth is sore, I've had a look and can't see any holes/cavitys. I'm taking her to the dentist, fear not but maybe if I'd of been using the right toothpaste she wouldn't have a sore tooth.

I'm annoyed now! Stupid supermarket marketing.

I always thought that children had to use their own toothpaste especially for them aswell. If you get your child an adult toothpaste make sure it isn't smoker's toothpaste! :rotfl:

Serena51

Always loved my sonicare too but have just got an ionic toothbrush and that is just as effective but without toothpaste or electricity.

Buttonmoons

I looked at my toothpaste and it's only 1100 fluoride and hers is 1000, so maybe not too bad? Though the "bubblegum" flavour one is only 300, that one will be going heave ho in the bin.

Yeah she did say my toothpaste was "spicy" hehe.

dishcheese

is it harmful to then use a sharp tool to scrape away at the plaque/tar tar formed on your teeth? is this simply what the dentist does? flossing and brushing doesn't seem to be enough to prevent the formation of tar tar..

Toothsmith

It isn't harmful when done by trained hands with correctly shaped instruments.

It is harmful when done yourself with a pin!

coldstreamalways

I have never needed a Scale and Polish simply because I brush my teeth correctly and use inter detal brushes as necessary. That should save you some money and time at the dentist! It really is that simple!

Even if I did need one, I wouldn't do it myself (and I'm a dentist)