Flossing children's teeth

[Phteven]

DS1 had his first check-up last week and his dentist says that because his teeth are quite close together he is getting food caught in them and she asked me to floss them

Has anyone else ever flossed a 6 year old's teeth? I'm afraid I was a bit too dumbfounded by the concept of having to floss his chompers to ask and intelligent questions. Such as....... is it better to use the tape that I use or should I buy those ones on a stick? Is it reasonable to think I can teach him to do it himself at his age or will I need to wait a year or 2?

[Phteven]

She also recommended fissure sealant on his permanent molars because they have deep fissures. Anyone had this done?

[toomanyshoes]

We were told the same thing at the kids first check ups.

They/I found the stick ones easier while they get use to it, DS 10 can now use the tape but DD 6 still uses the sticks.

[toomanyshoes]

She also recommended fissure sealant on his permanent molars because they have deep fissures. Anyone had this done?

In recent years, Bisphenol A (BPA) and dental sealants have been a point of discussion for researchers, dental providers, and consumers. BPA can be found in saliva in detectable amounts (micrograms) after placement of dental sealants.[1] [2] [3] The Canadian Dental Association [4] and the American Dental Association [5] have issued statements on their websites regarding BPA in dental sealants.

That's from wiki, don't think I would be using it on my kids

[Phteven]

There are different types of sealant that don't contain BPA.

[toomanyshoes]

I would at least be getting a second opinion, I don't like the idea of it but that's just my opinion

[AngelPants]

I had seals on my teeth as a kid, it worked well, i only have 1 filing and that's cos the seal cracked and so food got trapped. (I May have also been slack with dental hygiene as a teen..)

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[Phteven]

Thanks AP. The seals cost about the same as a filling so if they prevent one filling they pay for themselves.

[Chocaholic]

I had fissure sealant done about 10 years ago. It is awesome & dramatically cut down the food I used to get caught. Also I only have one filling as the sealant stops damage to the harder to clean areas. I would recommend it.



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[toomanyshoes]

That's my concern angel pants, if it cracks it causes damage and what damage is done to the tooth if the sealant needs to be removed.

[Arcadia]

Dd is the same with close set teeth, and I was told to floss her teeth. I get her to lie on the ground and I use the tape and floss the front teeth. We manage to do it most days, but at three she does protest if she's tired.

[Phteven]

If you have sealants they check them at your check-ups and if they are cracked it's not difficult to replace/repair them. They can remove them without damaging the tooth.

[~me~]

A friend of mine has all her boys (she has 4) teeth sealed with the sealant, as well as her own. They have beautiful teeth.

I have to floss DS2's teeth, he is 5yrs. We just use the same floss we use ( I use a sensodyne one) and it works fine. It was a little awkward to begin with, we got the hang of it in the end.
We just do it with him standing in front of the mirror so he can see what we are doing and eventually know how to do it himself.

[Olive]

Definately get the sealants!!!!

We floss DD1's teeth as her's are so tightly in there that we have had decay we use the reach brand stick and do it every night.

[AngelPants]

That being said i would probably get them (BPA free ones cos mine weren't) cos I only had an issue later on after having them for over 10yrs & they normally replace them every check up or every second check up or did with mine.

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[Snacks]

If you can get him to sit down (probably in front of the mirror) and do it from behind him it's easier (like the dentist does). I was told to brush & floss their teeth for them until they're 7.
I would certainly consider sealants when they're older and more able to hold their mouth open without finding it scary. Nat has had 3 trips to the dentist and they have all been pretty happy ones (inasmuch as they can be when you're reclining and having someone play in your mouth, lol!) So I'd make sure she was able to understand what was happening if she were getting fissure seals.