Your questions – our answers

Alcohol in medicines for children (using Dentinox® N teething gel as an example)

Dentinox® N teething gel contains a very small quantity of alcohol that occurs through the process of extracting chamomile tincture, a natural active ingredient. When the preparation is applied externally to the child’s warm oral mucous membrane, it may be assumed that the very small (a question of milligrams in each dose) percentage of alcohol in the gel just about completely evaporates with the warm breath without being absorbed by the child’s body. There is absolutely no danger of any adverse effects on the child!

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Chemical active ingredients (pain relievers) in Dentinox® N gel

Dentinox® N gel contains two chemical active ingredients for pain relief: Lidocaine hydrochloride works quickly and for a short period of time whereas macrogol lauryl ether sets in with a time delay but its effects last longer. The distribution among several active ingredients makes it possible to keep the respective doses to a very low level. Even swallowing an entire tube is considered to be harmless from a medical perspective.

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When can you start using Dentinox® N teething gel?

Dentinox® N gel is a very mild and natural medicine. Use can begin as soon as a little tooth makes itself noticed with reddening and irritation of the gum. This may be as early as the first few weeks of a baby’s life.

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How do I tell whether my child is teething?

On its own, a baby can only indirectly point out that teething is about to begin. There are, however, a series of symptoms that provide an indication. The most common and most noticeable signs are red cheeks, severe dribbling, and reddened and swollen gums.

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What can I do to make my child’s teething process easier?

We advise you use Dentinox® N teething gel, it acts as an analgesic and has anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. Plus, there are little aids that provide additional relief, such as a gentle gum massage or firm objects that the baby can bite on. A firm piece of vegetable or a cooled spoon are suitable in this context.

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All about fluoride

Is fluoride poisonous?
That depends entirely on the dose involved. Generally speaking, however, it is possible to say: not in the quantities normally usually contained in a toothpaste.

Does fluoride cause cancer?
No, according to the information presently available, there is currently no indication of that.

Is there any danger of overdosing?
No, the daily intake of fluoride in Germany is very small. As, additionally, fluoride is only absorbed by the body when it is swallowed, toothpaste does not constitute any risk if it is used properly. The only exception in this respect are children with milk teeth. While a child has milk teeth, overdosing can cause dental fluorosis. This means that white/yellowish spots are permanently formed on the tooth enamel of the permanent teeth. For this reason, children should always use a children’s toothpaste that has a fluoride content suitable for children. In cases where children are being given fluoride tablets a fluoride-free toothpaste should be used to prevent overdosing.

What happens when children swallow toothpaste containing fluoride?
A very large dose might cause side effects such as stomach ache. However, for that to happen, a child would have to completely swallow almost 70 grams of the toothpaste. But this is highly unlikely if the toothpaste is handled properly.

How do fluorides work?
Fluorides are deposited in the tooth structure, thus hardening the tooth. The tooth then becomes more resistant to acids and bacteria. In small doses, they additionally promote remineralisation of the tooth.

Form of fluoride intake in babies and toddlers
Fluoride can be ingested by babies and toddlers in two ways. Firstly, through the taking of fluoride tablets or, secondly, through the use of a toothpaste containing fluoride. If you have any doubts, please consult your paediatrician or dentist

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What is the difference between the various nenedent® children’s toothpastes?

The basic difference between nenedent® toothpastes is the fluoride content. There is a children’s toothpaste, one for babies, with variants with and without fluoride. In addition, four of the five varieties of the nenedent® toothpastes are homoeopathy-compatible, which means they are free from essential oils, such as menthol, and do not have any impact on the outcome of homoeopathic treatment. The nenedent® children’s toothpaste with fluoride is the only one that is not homoeopathy-compatible.

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Can I give the children’s toothpaste to my baby, too?

We have developed a toothpaste with a lower abrasive value especially for babies; it is particularly gentle and is not capable of rubbing off the tooth enamel that has not yet fully hardened. For this reason, we recommend using our baby toothpastes for the first 12 months or so following the eruption of the first little teeth. Each of the five nenedent toothpastes is suitable for use over the entire milk teeth period until the age of 6.

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What is the abrasive value (RDA)?

The “relative dentin abrasivity” (RDA) value states how much dentine is rubbed off in a laboratory experiment with the toothpaste in question. A higher RDA value offers a greater cleaning effect but it can also rub off the tooth enamel. The lower the RDA value, the gentler the toothpaste is on the substance of the teeth.

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Can I continue giving my child a children’s toothpaste even after the second dentition (from 6 years onwards)?

As soon as the second set of teeth come through, you should give your child a junior toothpaste to clean their teeth. This differs from children’s toothpastes by having a higher fluoride content of between 1,000 and 1,500 ppm fluoride, a more intense taste, and frequently a higher abrasive value (RDA).

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The milk teeth will fall out anyway, so it’s not that bad if they get caries.

Milk teeth do fall out but they are very important for the development of the child, which includes chewing of food, speech development and articulation. Milk teeth are also placeholders for the permanent teeth and ensure that the second teeth erupt at the right place. In addition, children who have become accustomed to regular dental hygiene at an early age find it much easier to likewise take care of the permanent second set of teeth both thoroughly and on a regular basis.

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When should you go to the dentist for the first time?

Your child should have their first dental appointment at the latest when the full set of milk teeth have emerged, i.e. at the age of 2–3. A dental check-up should be performed twice a year from the age of six onwards.

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When do I have to start cleaning the first little teeth?

Cleaning and care for your child’s teeth should commence the first day the first one starts to emerge. Until the age of 24 months, it will be sufficient to clean their teeth once a day. From their second birthday onwards, their teeth should be cleaned twice a day.

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What does it mean when a toothpaste is compatible with homoeopathy?

A toothpaste compatible with homoeopathy does not contain any substances that might have a negative impact on the success of homoeopathic treatment. These substances include essential oils, such as menthol.

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How do I clean teeth properly?

Generally speaking, teeth should be cleaned using the COI method. You begin with the chewing surfaces, then you clean the outside surfaces and finish off by cleaning the inner surfaces of the teeth. The cleaning process should take a total of between two and three minutes to achieve good results. More on this topic can be found here.

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How do you use the thimble toothbrush?

Put the silicone thimble toothbrush over your index finger so that the flat soft bristles sit on your fingertip. Now put a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on top and brush your baby's first teeth with small circular movements. Then rinse the thimble toothbrush thoroughly under running water.

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Follow-up cleaning: when do I stop?

Since brushing your teeth is a physically difficult process, you should definitely support your child in it. Up to the age of approx. 8 years, you should always brush again thoroughly to make sure all teeth are brushed.

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