How do I get my child to brush his teeth with floride toothpaste?

How do I get my child to brush his teeth with floride toothpaste?

by Christy Barnes
(Jacksonville, Fl)

I have tried dozens of different toothpaste brands, types, flavors, etc. My son can't stand the smell and taste. He will brush his teeth but not with toothpaste and he needs the flouride in the toothpaste for his teeth to stay healthy. Are there any new sensory toothpaste products or suggestions out there?

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How do I get my child to brush his teeth with floride toothpaste?

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Jul 30, 2008
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No need to use flouride
by: Dana

Hi there. We purposely use the nonflouride toothpaste for all of our kids. We learned from our MD that there is enough flouride in our water to be sufficient and that too much flouride is harmful, especially for those kids that don't detox metals/chemicals from the body naturally. This also reduces the need to spit for those kids who have trouble with that. We successfully used the orange cream flavor of Burts Bees toothpaste but it is now discontinued. We have used the Wintergreen flavor of one of the Tea Tree Oil Natural toothpaste. We are now using the Baby Oragel flouride free toddler toothpaste for my kids ages 5-8.

Some tips I learned in therapy for those who don't like to brush their teeth...you may need to do other sensory techniques first before trying to desensitize the mouth. Some techniques might be the therapeutic listening/sonomas listening and Wilbarger brushing technique to desensitize the nervous system in general before getting more directly in the mouth. I don't yet know it, but there is also a fun song you can teach your kids to sing or sing for your kids while they brush their teeth that helps make it more fun for them or at least distracts them a bit while getting it done.

Hope that helps. I will pass on the song when I get it. Best wishes.

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Jul 30, 2008
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Submitted by: Dana

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Hi there. We purposely use the nonflouride toothpaste for all of our kids. We learned from our MD that there is enough flouride in our water to be sufficient and that too much flouride is harmful, especially for those kids that don't detox metals/chemicals from the body naturally. This also reduces the need to spit for those kids who have trouble with that. We successfully used the orange cream flavor of Burts Bees toothpaste but it is now discontinued. We have used the Wintergreen flavor of one of the Tea Tree Oil Natural toothpaste. We are now using the Baby Oragel flouride free toddler toothpaste for my kids ages 5-8. Some tips I learned in therapy for those who don't like to brush their teeth...you may need to do other sensory techniques first before trying to desensitize the mouth. Some techniques might be the therapeutic listening/sonomas listening and Wilbarger brushing technique to desensitize the nervous system in general before getting more directly in the mouth. I don't yet know it, but there is also a fun song you can teach your kids to sing or sing for your kids while they brush their teeth that helps make it more fun for them or at least distracts them a bit while getting it done. Hope that helps. I will pass on the song when I get it. Best wishes.

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Jul 12, 2008
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Toothpaste recommendation
by: Anonymous

Hi,
My 4 1/2 year old son has SPD and we have A LOT of issues with food; smells, textures, tastes. I buy Tom's of Maine Silly Strawberry toothpaste for him. It's all natural. They sell it at Wal-Mart.

Good Luck

Jun 24, 2008
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Me too!
by: Kia

We have the same problem in our house. Every day, twice, we have the toothbrushing battle. Every day, it's a fight to get our son to brush his teeth with the "big kid" toothpaste. He likes the baby stuff still, but fights us all the time on the flouride stuff. I wonder if this is a battle not quite worth fighting??? I wish I had the answers!

Jun 19, 2008
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Fluoride in Toothpaste
by: Anonymous

I'm not certain you are correct in saying your son needs the fluoride in toothpaste. I mean, how much fluoride do you think his body is absorbing from 10 to 60 seconds of brushing?

I'd discuss this with your dentist and/or M.D. If there isn't sufficient natural fluoride in your water supply, and your community does not fluoridate the water, you can get fluoride tablets. I believe they come in chewable form.

My kids took fluoride tabs and had the plastic sealants applied to their teeth. Both are now grown and neither one has any cavities.

Blessings on you!
Miz Woody in the Wilds of the Midwest

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How do I get my child to brush his teeth with floride toothpaste?

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How do I get my child to brush his teeth with floride toothpaste?