teenage daughters teeth

[kerriesmum]

My daughter is 13 and needs to have braces.
When she went to her orthodontist today, the dentist told her she had "dirt teeth" and would not give her the treatment until her teeth were acceptable. She also has a cavity. I feel really bad, her diet although not 100 percent healthy is not bad she does eat fruit and veg. Because her teeth are crooked she finds it hard to brush them effectively. I have invested in an electric toothbrush for her any other tips to get her teeth in tip top condition. They seem to be prone to staining easily. My son who is a year younger has never had any problem with his teeth. She was very upset when she came out of the dentist today. I was shocked to say the least, especially when i was told to supervise her brushing. I dont know many parents of 13 and 14 year olds that supervise brushing of teeth. Some practicle advice on getting healthy teeth ready for her brace please, many thanks

[welshlibranr]

My grandaughter was told them same really, teenagers brush the front of their teeth, but not the back of them, that's maybe the problem!............

[kerriesmum]

possibly i was wondering about giving flouride drops as well

[woofgang]

does the dentist have a hygienist? My hygienist taught me how to brush my teeth properly and I am in my fifties.

[sara3]

make sure she's covering all surfaces, get her some floss and disclosing tablets. she should be brushing for 2 minutes twice a day, and not for at least an hour after eating.

[sara3]

maybe she eats lots of sweeties when you're not around?

[kerriesmum]

Im thinking she might when she has her school lunch money, i am wondering what its being spent on. Disclosing tablets are on the shopping list for the morning . Im not sure about a hygeinist i will enquire
thanks everybody

[kerriesmum]

this is my first time on this site thanks for the welcome and helpful answers. It looks pretty complicated lots of categories lol

[Prudie]

I would certainly look at the hygeinist option. I haven't checked my facts but I thought fluoride drops were discouraged these days(and it's probably too late anyway) because there's already enough in tap water. I was persuadedto give my daughter fluoride drops in her milk as a baby by her hypochondriac father - as a consequence she now has white mottles on her teeth which understand to be a direct result of the drops.

[karenmac60]

Go with the disclosing tablets and just hammer it home to her that she only gets the one set and she has to look after them. Once the braces are fitted she has to be extra vigilant with them cos stuff builds up around the buttons. I kept having to tell my daughter that there was no point having straight stumps!

[kerriesmum]

thanks all you kind people

[4getmenot]

although fruit is healthy its high sugars are bad for teeth

[Hopkirk]

You have the right idea - an electric toothbrush.

[bushbaby_de]

The sonic toothbrushes are really really good. Also a mouthwash and some floss. Mine were bad before I had braces on but I had a scale and polish at the hygenist then followed a good regime for a month or so before having the brackets fitted. Teeth discolour etc enough with the braces on that I dread to think what would happen putting them on teeth that are bad to start with.

[pearlz42]

ask the local dentist to ive it a good clean this got done to my little sister. Also ask for tips best of luck :)

[pearlz42]

milk milk milk that's what she needs!