Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Goldfish are not causing cavities.
1+. And I say this as someone who is cavity prone and knows the “list” of “no’s.” Seems like this is just a stealth way to police her diet. (She’s never going to have a cracker again?) Keep junk food out of the house, discuss food/ drinks that are problematic, develop good dental hygiene habits, then let it go.
OP here. I swear I don't want to police her diet. We are all thin and not diet-restrictive at all. My husband is cavity prone like DD, but my other child and I are not. We all eat very similarly. I have no personal vendetta against crackers or pretzels, etc. More than one dentist have specifically called this foods out because they sit in molars and grooves.
Doesn’t she have sealants? We all have deep grooves and got cavities in every single one and nowhere else ever until we got them all filled (with fillings or sealants). I completely agree that it’s unavoidable if that’s just the shape of her teeth, but also know that diet changes won’t stop it until the grooves are filled. But if she’s getting cavities in other places, then it’s likely weak enamel and she needs dietary and behavioral changes, plus more fluoride treatments.
If it’s her enamel, then you keep parenting because she needs to learn to brush and rinse more frequently, particularly after certain foods. If it’s her grooves, then just fill them and drop the rope.
I never got sealants and when I asked my dentist about it as an adult while he was suggesting it for my 6 yr old DD he said when he and I were kids, it was just done for poor kids who only saw a dentist at public school because they didn't think those parents were getting their kids to brush or floss. He said it's too late as an adult.
I still get sealants as an adult. Why would it be too late - we can still get cavities.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Give this kid a toothbrush and toothpaste. After she eats or drinks, tell her to brush. It will really help to get the food out of her teeth. And if she can't brush right away, teach her to take a big swig of water to get things off of her teeth.
She does this and has for a long time.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Goldfish are not causing cavities.
1+. And I say this as someone who is cavity prone and knows the “list” of “no’s.” Seems like this is just a stealth way to police her diet. (She’s never going to have a cracker again?) Keep junk food out of the house, discuss food/ drinks that are problematic, develop good dental hygiene habits, then let it go.
OP here. I swear I don't want to police her diet. We are all thin and not diet-restrictive at all. My husband is cavity prone like DD, but my other child and I are not. We all eat very similarly. I have no personal vendetta against crackers or pretzels, etc. More than one dentist have specifically called this foods out because they sit in molars and grooves.
Doesn’t she have sealants? We all have deep grooves and got cavities in every single one and nowhere else ever until we got them all filled (with fillings or sealants). I completely agree that it’s unavoidable if that’s just the shape of her teeth, but also know that diet changes won’t stop it until the grooves are filled. But if she’s getting cavities in other places, then it’s likely weak enamel and she needs dietary and behavioral changes, plus more fluoride treatments.
If it’s her enamel, then you keep parenting because she needs to learn to brush and rinse more frequently, particularly after certain foods. If it’s her grooves, then just fill them and drop the rope.
I never got sealants and when I asked my dentist about it as an adult while he was suggesting it for my 6 yr old DD he said when he and I were kids, it was just done for poor kids who only saw a dentist at public school because they didn't think those parents were getting their kids to brush or floss. He said it's too late as an adult.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Goldfish are not causing cavities.
1+. And I say this as someone who is cavity prone and knows the “list” of “no’s.” Seems like this is just a stealth way to police her diet. (She’s never going to have a cracker again?) Keep junk food out of the house, discuss food/ drinks that are problematic, develop good dental hygiene habits, then let it go.
OP here. I swear I don't want to police her diet. We are all thin and not diet-restrictive at all. My husband is cavity prone like DD, but my other child and I are not. We all eat very similarly. I have no personal vendetta against crackers or pretzels, etc. More than one dentist have specifically called this foods out because they sit in molars and grooves.
Doesn’t she have sealants? We all have deep grooves and got cavities in every single one and nowhere else ever until we got them all filled (with fillings or sealants). I completely agree that it’s unavoidable if that’s just the shape of her teeth, but also know that diet changes won’t stop it until the grooves are filled. But if she’s getting cavities in other places, then it’s likely weak enamel and she needs dietary and behavioral changes, plus more fluoride treatments.
If it’s her enamel, then you keep parenting because she needs to learn to brush and rinse more frequently, particularly after certain foods. If it’s her grooves, then just fill them and drop the rope.
Anonymous wrote:Give this kid a toothbrush and toothpaste. After she eats or drinks, tell her to brush. It will really help to get the food out of her teeth. And if she can't brush right away, teach her to take a big swig of water to get things off of her teeth.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:16 year DD is lucky in the sense that she is genetically thin and likely will always be. She is also in a very active sport. My concern is not calories but sugar/carbs WRT her teeth. She has been very cavity prone thus far in life. Dentist says the main culprits for her are likely goldfish, cereal, and sugary/acidic drinks like lemonade, coffees and starbucks refreshers. He admits that its not fair and some kids can have these things without getting cavities. Trying to get her to limit these things or make better choices always results in an argument I don't enjoy having. She gets down every time a dental appt is coming up as she likely will have a cavity that needs filling.
Trying to find where the line is between helicopter and lazy parent here. I'd love to drop the rope but I worry she isn't thinking long term. She is generally/mostly a great, responsible kid with good grades and internal motivation. What is my responsibility here, DCUM?
I wouldn't police a 16yo at all. I don't really even police my 14yo except to make sure he gets protein at every meal.
The fact you have mentioned thinnness more than once makes me think you have other concerns than teeth.
Anonymous wrote:Goldfish are not causing cavities.
Anonymous wrote:This is genetic. Drop it. She gets cavities. It isn’t the end of the world
Anonymous wrote:16 year DD is lucky in the sense that she is genetically thin and likely will always be. She is also in a very active sport. My concern is not calories but sugar/carbs WRT her teeth. She has been very cavity prone thus far in life. Dentist says the main culprits for her are likely goldfish, cereal, and sugary/acidic drinks like lemonade, coffees and starbucks refreshers. He admits that its not fair and some kids can have these things without getting cavities. Trying to get her to limit these things or make better choices always results in an argument I don't enjoy having. She gets down every time a dental appt is coming up as she likely will have a cavity that needs filling.
Trying to find where the line is between helicopter and lazy parent here. I'd love to drop the rope but I worry she isn't thinking long term. She is generally/mostly a great, responsible kid with good grades and internal motivation. What is my responsibility here, DCUM?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Goldfish are not causing cavities.
1+. And I say this as someone who is cavity prone and knows the “list” of “no’s.” Seems like this is just a stealth way to police her diet. (She’s never going to have a cracker again?) Keep junk food out of the house, discuss food/ drinks that are problematic, develop good dental hygiene habits, then let it go.
OP here. I swear I don't want to police her diet. We are all thin and not diet-restrictive at all. My husband is cavity prone like DD, but my other child and I are not. We all eat very similarly. I have no personal vendetta against crackers or pretzels, etc. More than one dentist have specifically called this foods out because they sit in molars and grooves.
Doesn’t she have sealants? We all have deep grooves and got cavities in every single one and nowhere else ever until we got them all filled (with fillings or sealants). I completely agree that it’s unavoidable if that’s just the shape of her teeth, but also know that diet changes won’t stop it until the grooves are filled. But if she’s getting cavities in other places, then it’s likely weak enamel and she needs dietary and behavioral changes, plus more fluoride treatments.
If it’s her enamel, then you keep parenting because she needs to learn to brush and rinse more frequently, particularly after certain foods. If it’s her grooves, then just fill them and drop the rope.