Yeah, the milk thing totally caught me off guard too. I always assumed it was just juice or sweets that were the problem... turns out, nope. Honestly, getting a toothbrush near my daughter’s mouth is like wrestling a tiny alligator. Sometimes I wonder if the struggle’s even worth it, but then I remember the dentist bill and keep at it.
Honestly, getting a toothbrush near my daughter’s mouth is like wrestling a tiny alligator. Sometimes I wonder if the struggle’s even worth it, but then I remember the dentist bill and keep at it.
That line about the alligator is spot on—my son clamped his jaws shut so tightly last night, I half-expected to see tooth marks on the brush handle afterward. I always thought brushing would be this sweet bonding moment, but in reality, it’s more like a covert operation requiring stealth, speed, and a little bit of luck.
I’m with you on being surprised about milk causing cavities. I used to think juice was the main villain, but apparently, milk at bedtime is just as sneaky. Our pediatrician gave me that “you didn’t know?” look when I asked about it. That was a humbling moment.
There are days when I question if it’s even making a difference—especially after a long day when everyone’s patience is worn thin. But then my own anxiety about dental visits kicks in. I had my first filling at age seven and still remember the sound of that drill (not exactly a core memory I want for my kid). The thought of him going through that kind of stress makes me double down, no matter how dramatic the protest.
We’ve tried everything—singing songs, letting him hold the brush, using those silly flavored toothpastes. Sometimes it works...other times he just wants to eat the toothpaste and call it a night. Not gonna lie, when he finally lets me get in there for ten seconds without a meltdown, it feels like winning the lottery.
It’s weird how something so small can turn into such a big deal. And don’t get me started on the price of dental care. If there’s even a chance these nightly wrestling matches will save us from a future filled with fillings and bills, I guess I’ll just keep channeling my inner zookeeper and push through.
I always thought brushing would be this sweet bonding moment, but in reality, it’s more like a covert operation requiring stealth, speed, and a little bit of luck.
Funny, I actually had the opposite experience as a kid—my mom was super laid back about brushing, and I kind of wish she’d been more persistent. Ended up with a mouthful of fillings by age ten. But here’s the thing: sometimes I wonder if all the wrestling and toothpaste-eating really makes as much difference as we think. I mean, genetics play a weirdly big role too. My brother barely brushed and somehow dodged cavities entirely. Not saying give up the fight, but maybe it’s not *all* on us parents after all?
Yeah, genetics are definitely wild—my sister and I had the same routine, but she got all the cavities and I barely had any. Still, I’ve seen with my own kids that the daily brushing struggle really does help, even if it feels like a losing battle some days. The dentist told me bacteria from things like sharing spoons can make a difference too, which honestly blew my mind. It’s not all in our control, but I guess every little bit helps, even if it doesn’t guarantee perfect teeth.
It’s wild how much stuff can impact kids’ teeth that we don’t even think about, right? I totally get the frustration with brushing—some nights it feels like a wrestling match at my house. That bacteria thing threw me too when I first heard it... Sharing a spoon or even blowing on their food can pass on cavity-causing germs. Have you noticed if your kids get more cavities when they start daycare or playgroups? I’ve seen a few families where that seemed to make a difference, but it’s hard to tell if it’s just coincidence.
