Gransnet forums

Health

Your grandchildren's teeth

(32 Posts)
Howjado Fri 17-Oct-14 12:18:01

Where my daughter and granddaughter lives; North Lincs, there is not a National Health service dentist to be found. I know my grand daughter is entitled to free dentist check ups but how do we get them?

jinglbellsfrocks Fri 17-Oct-14 11:12:05

Same as Bags.

thatbags Fri 17-Oct-14 10:54:45

Could the problem be down to children's teeth not being cleaned properly? I think quite a lot of parents let their quite young children clean their own teeth. I cleaned my kids' teeth twice a day until they were each about nine years old, by which time I hoped they had taken on board how important it was, how important the health of their teeth was, and how to do it properly.

tanith Fri 17-Oct-14 10:47:09

I think we are all much more aware of the dangers nowadays and are being much more mindful of what we give children. I admit I wasn't so careful years ago when my oldest grandchildren were small but now we don't have sugary drinks and tend to give the young ones fruit treats, and things like olives and nuts when they are old enough.. with the occasional sweet treat or ice-cream.

annodomini Fri 17-Oct-14 10:32:05

Weren't sugary drinks identified as the major culprit in tooth decay? I shudder when I see babies sucking on feeding bottles filled with what is probably Ribena, before they 'graduate' to Coke.

"Parents and carers may feel that giving sugar-sweetened drinks is comforting, but in reality it's more likely to cause pain and suffering as it is the major cause of tooth decay in toddlers."

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29413906

Liz46 Fri 17-Oct-14 08:34:44

I had always assumed that dried fruit was healthier than sweets but apparently this sticks to teeth for longer so I am probably wrong.

trisher Fri 17-Oct-14 08:30:16

With the main reason for children in England being admitted to hospital identified as tooth decay and multiple extractions what can we do to help with this? Are the days of Grans and Grandads being the sweet treat suppliers numbered? Do we need to get involved?
Check out the One Show for the info www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04l3p7q