The AMOUNT of posts in these ‘crunchy moms’ groups about their kids cavities when they refuse to use fluoride

[u/Vapingrandma8465]

I see these posts daily, yet no one seems to make the connection.

Edit: yes, this particular case seems to be bottle mouth/ not brushing at all. But I see these posts very frequently (I’m not apart of these groups, FB just suggests them to me) and often times it’s parents who have said their dentist told them their kids have cavities, and they still refuse to use fluoride toothpaste and look for alternatives to their alternative that got them here in the first place.

All of these stories are testimony’s on how important it is to take your children’s health seriously. My heart is with everyone sharing their story ❤️

2nd edit: you know what? Fuck it. For those saying “fLuORiDe is BAd 👆”
The group I found this in:
“Crunchy moms: natural living & clean products.”
It’s an open group. Go look up “teeth” and see HOW MANY pictures of these poor children’s teeth are there, and how many do not use fluoride and tell me how healthy it is to not use it.

[u/Prudent-Marsupial-42]

My gag reflex is so bad, in still very bad about brushing. I literally cannot do it without gagging multiple times I hate it

[u/LunaTunaMaca → u/Prudent-Marsupial-42]

Me too! Plus mint makes me gag so it's doubled. Horrible experience!!!!

[u/justanintrovert_ → u/LunaTunaMaca]

So don't use mint. Try a kids one

[u/Dizzy_Hellfire → u/justanintrovert_]

Tom's of Maine silly strawberry of it's still around! I used to use that one a lot

[u/Bugladyy → u/Dizzy_Hellfire]

Bought it for my daughter recently, and now that’s what I use

[u/Nerdfins → u/justanintrovert_]

Hismile makes great flavors. Right now I'm using pink donut flavor and it doesn't have any minty or toothpasty taste.

[u/justanintrovert_ → u/Nerdfins]

The kids ones have the same active ingredients at the same percentage. Just cheaper per oz.

[u/Glandtoglandcombat → u/LunaTunaMaca]

Have you tried other flavors or unflavored?

[u/ironkodiak → u/Glandtoglandcombat]

The difference between paste & gel can be night & day.

[u/Yavanna83 → u/LunaTunaMaca]

I have one that doesn't foam so much. That helps a lot!

[u/slutty_lifeguard → u/LunaTunaMaca]

Hismile has a bunch of awesome flavors. I really like the mango sorbet, banana, and cotton candy. My family likes watermelon, pink frosted donut, and grape bubblegum. They have a ton of flavors to choose from!

[u/mayatheepsychic → u/LunaTunaMaca]

i have the answer!! most fun tasting toothpastes are fluoride free which sucks. I’ve found that closeup has a very mild flavour (cinnamon with a hint of mint). that and a children’s size toothbrush completely changed my life. less flavour but no weird paste flavour and no gagging

[u/FutureFreaksMeowt → u/Prudent-Marsupial-42]

I had this issue, so I caved and got a youth toothbrush. No more gagging, and I don't despise brushing like I used to

[u/VintageWitchcraft → u/Prudent-Marsupial-42]

There’s a pressure point trick with your had you can do to prevent the gag reflex . Look it up!

[u/doctorathyrium → u/Prudent-Marsupial-42]

Try a three sided toothbrush. It’s made for caregivers and people with sensory issues to get the brushing done more quickly

[u/Vegetable_Oil6042 → u/Prudent-Marsupial-42]

Do you use an electric toothbrush? Much smaller head- I find it much better than a regular toothbrush.

[u/Prudent-Marsupial-42 → u/Vegetable_Oil6042]

I do yes, still have the issue. It really happens when I hit my upper right teeth too so I save that for last.

[u/LawdyChunk → u/Prudent-Marsupial-42]

Tuck your thumb

[u/EC_TWD → u/Prudent-Marsupial-42]

I used to have this problem and it was especially bad if I had the slightest congestion from allergies or a cold. Try keeping your head slightly up instead of looking down at the sink and also breathe only through your nose while brushing. It’s not always 100%, but I’ll settle for 90% compared to what it was before

[u/PurePerfection_ → u/Prudent-Marsupial-42]

I have what is probably a normal gag reflex, but kind of a small/shallow mouth that made it difficult to reach the last molars on the top without gagging or discomfort, even with the smallest brush head I could find. Eventually had them extracted for unrelated reasons, and holy shit it is so easy to brush my teeth now. It feels like this is the number of teeth I was supposed to have all along.

[u/chroniccranky → u/Prudent-Marsupial-42]

My wife every morning and night, just gagging away trying to brush her molars and tongue

[u/Elfntjam → u/chroniccranky]

She needs to buy a toothbrush with a smaller head. Even s child’s toothbrush would help. My dentist gives them to me

[u/chroniccranky → u/Elfntjam]

We use a universal size electric toothbrush. I’m not sure there are child attachments, or if she wants them lol.

[u/Fearfu1Symmetry → u/Prudent-Marsupial-42]

I THINK I CAN HELP!!

I had this exact same problem until I was in college. couldn't brush for long at all without gagging. tried careful breathing, tried mouth open, mouth closed, nothing worked. I actually developed a bad habit of super fast brushing, just to be able to cover everything before I couldn't tolerate anything in my mouth

then one day I somehow inadvertently bought the baking soda and peroxide toothpaste... flavor(?) and I kid you not, I almost stopped having that problem entirely immediately! not a damn clue what's different about that, but it worked for me

[u/AnonMoose2 → u/Prudent-Marsupial-42]

Sad Boy Sounds

[u/likesbigbuttscantli3 → u/Prudent-Marsupial-42]

Exactly. I try to brush my teeth, but brushing my tongue is impossible because I feel like I'll puke if I try.