Upcoming Dental appointment

February 23, 2001

My kids are scheduled for a 6 month check up Monday. Is there

anything I need to know? What about the fluoride treatment-is it

ok? My son does not get fluoride in our drinking water as I buy the

purified stuff and up until recently he didn't get it in his

toothpaste either. I had always used Baby Orajel tooth and gum

cleanser but recently switched to Tom's of Maine. I just checked the

tube today and saw that it does contain fluoride. I am a little

concerned because I'm not sure my son has been getting enough

calcium...I don't even know if he will let them inside of his mouth

(wouldn't last time, but, he just this week told me that he didn't

like the bright light!) What about what they use to clean the

teeth? I assume they just use the Crest toothpaste that they give

out. I see Crest is not on the acceptable list, does anyone know

why? Thanks, Rosie

February 23, 2001

> Date: Fri, 23 Feb 2001 15:40:23 -0000

> From: semak4@...

> Subject: Upcoming Dental appointment

>

> My kids are scheduled for a 6 month check up Monday. Is there

> anything I need to know? What about the fluoride treatment-is it

> ok? My son does not get fluoride in our drinking water as I buy the

> purified stuff and up until recently he didn't get it in his

> toothpaste either. I had always used Baby Orajel tooth and gum

> cleanser but recently switched to Tom's of Maine. I just checked

> the tube today and saw that it does contain fluoride.

>..I don't even know if he will let them inside of his mouth

> (wouldn't last time, but, he just this week told me that he didn't

> like the bright light!) What about what they use to clean the

> teeth? I assume they just use the Crest toothpaste that they give

> out. I see Crest is not on the acceptable list, does anyone know

> why? Thanks, Rosie

>

My son's hygenist told me to bring in an acceptable toothpaste and they'd

use that. She cleaned my son's teeth with Tom's of Maine toothpaste.

You might want to print out a list of what toothpaste is acceptable to

give the hygenist so she can see with her own eyes and if she's a caring

person, she'll keep the list for future reference.

Can your son wear sunglasses for the exam? Some dental offices provide

them, but if he has a favorite pair, I'd take them along since the light

bothers him.

Can you write a social story about going to the dentist and read it to

him a few times between now and then? Try to include all the procedures

you know are unpleasant, that way they won't be a surprise. Add the part

that at the end if he cooperates he gets to choose a little prize. (You

might reward an exceptional dentist visit with a trip to the park or some

place he enjoys.) Does the staff know your son is autistic? If they know

ahead that he needs to be forewarned before anything is done, it will

help. I think I sort of scared our dentist into doing that but after the

sealants were put on the back molars he commented he wished all his

patients were as good as had been. (The last visit I relaxed

and didn't read the social story to him more than twice and he was not as

good as the first time. I had assumed since he was familiar with the

procedure it wasn't as important but the first time he let them do 4

sealants with no trouble in less than 45 minutes and this last time he

was getting a small filling and was far more wiggly.)

Floride is something I don't feel is safe for our kids but I don't have

scientific proof. Feb 14th someone posted some info on this list as his

child had been poisoned by it during a dental visit and he mentioned that

for people who can't get rid of heavy metals, they have trouble flushing

flouride out of their systems. He recommended a site www.nofluoride.com

I just now glanced at it and it may help you decide. I downloaded the

info from it so if you can't access it, email me privately and I'll

forward it to you.

Carol in Oregon

February 23, 2001