We recently took our two boys to the dentist for the first time. My oldest just turned 3 in March, and my youngest is 23 months. I was dreading bringing them as DS1 hates doctors (with good reason, due to some early experiences) and fights every second of his ped. appointments with every ounce of his body. I feared the same with the dentist, but she was wonderful with both boys, and neither resisted beyond some head turning. So that was certainly a victory. 
However, I suspected DS1 had cavities, and I was right. All four of his first molars have cavities in them. DS2 also has a small cavity between his middle top tooth, and the one to the right of it. She prescribed fluoride tablets for both of them - 25mg/day for DS2 and 50mg/day for DS1. She also prescribed a 'medicated' toothpaste, which I learned ($28 later) is a highly fluoridated paste. It contains 1.1% sodium fluoride. The instructions on the paste say it is not for children under 6 years old, that your mouth should be rinsed thoroughly after brushing, and DO NOT SWALLOW! This makes me very nervous, as it is not possible to have them rinse at their ages, and they most certainly do swallow the paste. We do practice spitting, and it is great fun for them, but they swallow first, then spit basically nothing, they just don't 'get it' yet.
I don't know anything about fluoride, but I know too much is not good. I'm concerned they may be getting too much of it now. I have been reading some about xylitol, and just found out that our health insurance gives us a discount to epic dental which sells xylitol products. So I ordered a pack with toothpaste and fruit flavored 'mints'. I'm wondering if I should use that toothpaste instead? Does anyone have any thoughts/information that I can use?
DS1 will need to have his cavities filled, no doubt about it. We are waiting 3 months to see her again, purely to give him some more time to grow and maybe be more accepting of the procedure (though he really was so good about the appointment, I don't know if thats necessary). When the time comes, he will have nitrous oxide, and sit on my lap for the procedure, and she will likely do 1-2 teeth at a time. DS2 may not need his cavity filled if we can slow/stop the deterioration. I'd love to avoid it altogether for both of them, but don't think its possible for DS1. Any thoughts are appreciated, this is all new to me!!
However, I suspected DS1 had cavities, and I was right. All four of his first molars have cavities in them. DS2 also has a small cavity between his middle top tooth, and the one to the right of it. She prescribed fluoride tablets for both of them - 25mg/day for DS2 and 50mg/day for DS1. She also prescribed a 'medicated' toothpaste, which I learned ($28 later) is a highly fluoridated paste. It contains 1.1% sodium fluoride. The instructions on the paste say it is not for children under 6 years old, that your mouth should be rinsed thoroughly after brushing, and DO NOT SWALLOW! This makes me very nervous, as it is not possible to have them rinse at their ages, and they most certainly do swallow the paste. We do practice spitting, and it is great fun for them, but they swallow first, then spit basically nothing, they just don't 'get it' yet.
I don't know anything about fluoride, but I know too much is not good. I'm concerned they may be getting too much of it now. I have been reading some about xylitol, and just found out that our health insurance gives us a discount to epic dental which sells xylitol products. So I ordered a pack with toothpaste and fruit flavored 'mints'. I'm wondering if I should use that toothpaste instead? Does anyone have any thoughts/information that I can use?
DS1 will need to have his cavities filled, no doubt about it. We are waiting 3 months to see her again, purely to give him some more time to grow and maybe be more accepting of the procedure (though he really was so good about the appointment, I don't know if thats necessary). When the time comes, he will have nitrous oxide, and sit on my lap for the procedure, and she will likely do 1-2 teeth at a time. DS2 may not need his cavity filled if we can slow/stop the deterioration. I'd love to avoid it altogether for both of them, but don't think its possible for DS1. Any thoughts are appreciated, this is all new to me!!
