Bottle Rot

**Leigh** · 11-12-2015, 11:42 AM

Really, I am surprised that the physicians haven't reported those parents for neglect. Bottle rot is NOT an accident. It's neglect. I recently had a foster child, age 9, who didn't own a toothbrush when he came to me. After MUCH painful dental work, he finally started brushing his teeth without being forced to (he used to run water over his toothbrush, watch his 2 minute timer run out, and never put the thing in his mouth). My son went through a months long period where he "wouldn't let me" brush his teeth, too. I literally held him down to do it (as his dentist recommended to me). It IS that important.

**Indoorvoice** · 11-12-2015, 11:55 AM

Yeah my 2yo doesn't like to get her teeth brushed either, but too bad so sad. Not a choice. When I was a teacher, one of my parents brought a maybe 1 yo sibling in for a holiday party with a bottle full of orange pop!

**daycarediva** · 11-12-2015, 11:58 AM

Originally posted by Leigh

Really, I am surprised that the physicians haven't reported those parents for neglect. Bottle rot is NOT an accident. It's neglect. I recently had a foster child, age 9, who didn't own a toothbrush when he came to me. After MUCH painful dental work, he finally started brushing his teeth without being forced to (he used to run water over his toothbrush, watch his 2 minute timer run out, and never put the thing in his mouth). My son went through a months long period where he "wouldn't let me" brush his teeth, too. I literally held him down to do it (as his dentist recommended to me). It IS that important.

That's what I'm saying! The school districts are now requesting dental health certificates when they enroll in K, and annually with physicals every year after that. I think I may photo copy the form and put it in my enrollment paperwork.

I took my kids to the dentist right around 2, and every 6months ish after that. We have had ONE cavity in four kids. I also held down the autistic child to brush his teeth twice a day for YEARS before he allowed it (and now brushes and flosses on his own).

One of my parents is a dentist. Her kid has IMPECCABLE teeth, they even floss them nightly. Maybe I can ask her to set up a thing for the kids in February for dental health month. Invite parents (I get great turnout when we do things like this).

It's gross to me, and falls under non parenting, imho.

My parents didn't take me to the dentist or even ask if I brushed my teeth. I've been fortunate to not need major dental work. 3 cavities when I went on my own at 18 after getting my own health insurance, 1 root canal and I need my wisdom teeth out. These kids aren't so lucky.

**Baby Beluga** · 11-12-2015, 12:53 PM

Originally posted by daycarediva

Is it just me, or is this becoming more common?

A dcb who recently aged out had to have 8 veneers because of it. Mom said it was hereditary, but the child always had a sugary drink with him, even before 2 he was given slushies, soda, etc.

I have a 3yo girl who has been here for over a year. Very educated parents, and dcg doesn't own a toothbrush! I have even given them out to the kids (dental health awareness/lesson plan related). Their pediatrician just recommended that she see a dentist at her physical, he noted it on the form. They are not following through. The rot is visible on the top of her incisors when she smiles.

Twin 3yo's, the rot is visible on their upper molars- they go to bed with full bottles of milk still. (which is a completely different story).

newer child-almost 2. She was refusing to brush her teeth (or even open her mouth) and mom said "She doesn't like it so we stopped trying."

I brush teeth after meals here. Always have. I am not required to, the kids really love it though. Even the almost 2yo enjoys it now and opens her mouth. When I informed her mom I got a "NO WAY, she won't be that good for me."

Did the parent's admit this to you?

I started taking my DD at 1 year and we continue to go every 6 months. When I was younger I was a thumb ****er, plus my parents were not on top of dental health. I remember going to the dentist once as a child. Once. When I turned 18 and moved out I had to have a ton of very painful, expensive and time consuming dental work done.

I remember a family that I used to babysit for had a 5 year old who had 3 crowns. The boys never brushed their teeth and mom told she "didn't know they were supposed to go to the dentist as kids."

It think a lot of parents think that because they are baby teeth, their health doesn't matter. Fact is, the health of your baby teeth effects the health of your adult teeth. Not the mention the other health issues that can arise or become worse due to poor dental health.

**Controlled Chaos** · 11-12-2015, 12:53 PM

When I worked at a center, there was a little boy who had to have all his teeth pulled because he was sleeping with a sippy cup...I think he was 4. I felt so bad for him, can you imagine how uncomfortable it must be for their little faces?

I have been thinking about brushing teeth here, but due to how you have to store them and all the regulations I am hesitating.

My own kids brush after breakfast and dinner.

Weak teeth are hereditary but not bottle rot

**Hunni Bee** · 11-12-2015, 01:01 PM

My daughter hates, hates having her teeth brushed. To the point where she has to be restrained. I tried letting her do it but she just eats the toothpaste.

If I didnt have to brush her teeth I definitely would not but not owning toothbrush is idiocy.

**Play Care** · 11-12-2015, 01:21 PM

Both of my sister's nieces had bottle rot. Mom couldn't bear to hear them cry at night so they got put down with bottles.

My old assistant (who turned out to be crazy) knew her son had a cavity in his molar but didn't have it addressed because "it's just going to fall out anyway"

But, cavities spread and can infect healthy adult teeth - especially molars which don't come out until later on after many adult teeth are in.
He wound up having such a bad toothache he missed school for two days and had to have an emergency tooth pull

Thankfully my dcp's tend to be okay with taking care of teeth, so I've never noticed an issue here.
My older DD inherited DH's weak enamel and has three silver crowns on her back teeth, BUT it was very clear to the dentist that this was not completely preventable (we were going to a dentist but not a good one who should have noticed this condition) Younger DD has never had a cavity in her life.
There is a huge correlation between dental health and overall health that I can't believe some parents are so lackadaisical about it.

**MarinaVanessa** · 11-12-2015, 01:34 PM

Without really going into parenting styles about bottles and sugary drinks I'll go into the comment about mom saying it's hereditary. Yes, it can be ... some people are more prone to dental caries and tooth decay than others because it runs in their families. They have weaker enamel etc. That being said, people like this have to be more vigilant that typical people when it comes to caring for their teeth (have to brush more often than typical, have to floss more, have to visit the dentist more etc) because of the fact that they are more susceptible to dental issues.

Parents that don't press dental hygiene on their kids will have more issues than just a struggle about brushing ... they'll have to find a dentist that takes a child their age (finding a dentist that works on kids under 3 years old is impossible in my city, we'd have to drive out 30 mins to find one), pay for dental workups (which can be costly), have to deal with the possibility of having to have their child knocked out if they're really young so they don't move during the procedure etc. Who wants that headache???

How hard is it to make brushing fun? My kids love to brush their teeth but we've also always brushed as a family so we've set the example for them. We also get them that dye mouthrinse that stains any leftover stuff that's left on their teeth so that they know if they're doing a good enough job or not. It's not a choice at my house ... either they do it or we do it for them, end of discussion.

**sahm1225** · 11-12-2015, 07:59 PM

Originally posted by MarinaVanessa

Without really going into parenting styles about bottles and sugary drinks I'll go into the comment about mom saying it's hereditary. Yes, it can be ... some people are more prone to dental caries and tooth decay than others because it runs in their families. They have weaker enamel etc. That being said, people like this have to be more vigilant that typical people when it comes to caring for their teeth (have to brush more often than typical, have to floss more, have to visit the dentist more etc) because of the fact that they are more susceptible to dental issues.

Parents that don't press dental hygiene on their kids will have more issues than just a struggle about brushing ... they'll have to find a dentist that takes a child their age (finding a dentist that works on kids under 3 years old is impossible in my city, we'd have to drive out 30 mins to find one), pay for dental workups (which can be costly), have to deal with the possibility of having to have their child knocked out if they're really young so they don't move during the procedure etc. Who wants that headache???

How hard is it to make brushing fun? My kids love to brush their teeth but we've also always brushed as a family so we've set the example for them. We also get them that dye mouthrinse that stains any leftover stuff that's left on their teeth so that they know if they're doing a good enough job or not. It's not a choice at my house ... either they do it or we do it for them, end of discussion.

Not trying to change the conversation, but where do you get the dye mouth rinse?

**Silly Songs** · 11-12-2015, 08:38 PM

Yes , some parents are not on board with dental hygiene for their children. I have seen and know some children who had their teeth affected by medication. I think you really have to be vigilant and have children see the dentist as toddlers. It's scary for them at times but the right dentist can help.

**mamamanda** · 11-13-2015, 05:10 AM

We have the opposite issue. My 14 mo cries hysterically every time I take the tooth brush away and say all done. :

:I brush his teeth. Then he brushes his teeth. Then the fit ensues, but i'm too scared to let him carry the toothbrush around in case he would fall or something.

**christine19720** · 11-13-2015, 08:33 AM

I have 2 schoolage kids who both just had to have several teeth pulled do to rotting teeth because their mom couldn't get them to brush their teeth. Good for the dentists, I guess. If they "can't get them to brush their teeth" what will they do when they are teens?....

**christine19720** · 11-13-2015, 08:34 AM

Originally posted by christine19720

I have 2 schoolage kids who both just had to have several teeth pulled due to rotting teeth because their mom couldn't get them to brush their teeth. Good for the dentists, I guess. If they "can't get them to brush their teeth" what will they do when they are teens?....

Teethbrushing was never an option in my house.

**mommiebookworm** · 11-13-2015, 10:08 AM

I'm sitting here in the pediatric dentists office, there's a family here with 3 kids and I can hear everything the dentist is saying. They all 3 have rotten teeth. Mom just keeps saying its genetics.

Bottle Rot

Bottle Rot

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