I expected our recent family visit to the dentist to be like all the others --"The children’s teeth look good, apart from the finger sucking, see you next year".
However, this time, my eight and 10-year-olds were referred to the hygienist. The nice South African dentist said the children were not brushing their teeth properly as evidenced by excess plaque build-up.
Yikes.
I had noticed that the evening teeth brushing routine was being raced through with strokes more akin to crazed bowing on a violin. I’m not sure when I lost control of the teeth brushing -- but I clearly had.
Fortunately, the children don’t mind dentists and were well informed as to why we were visiting the hygienist. There was actually a buzz of excitement. Each child sat in the dental chair and the hygienist used coloured vegetable dye (dentist version of disclosure tablets) to highlight where plague was accumulating.
The hygienist showed the children how to brush, not too hard, in small circular motions. It was all very calm and controlled (nothing like home). There was even some tooth polishing with real hygienist tools to get the stubborn bits of plague. A few token warnings as to what would happen if you don’t brush properly. I think for my benefit she mentioned how she is regularly teaching adults how to brush their teeth properly.
I was slightly surprised that the whole teeth brushing routine needed to be done so methodically from such a young age. Merely using toothpaste on a daily basis just doesn’t cut it, even for the under tens.
At least the children have now been taught how to brush and the most important part is that ... someone else is checking.
This was written by Charlene, a Thames Valley Mums Blog founding contributor.
Photo credit: Melody
Good luck, and I hope they keep it up!
Posted by: Susanna | 26 October 2008 at 08:18