how can i get my toddler to brush his teeth?

Question

i have a two and a half year old, i try to brush his teeth, but he hates it, and he wont do it himself, any ideas?

Answer 1

I am struggling with the same thing. Here some of my tips:
I buy bubble gum tooth paste, bright color of fun tooth brushes (maybe their favorite cartoon charachter), or a new one everyweek. I sing songs associated with brushing teeth every day at that time. I brush with him at the same time every day and night. I let him get the supplies out after I tell him what time it is. Get a step stool to make it easier for him to go to the sink. Let him look in the mirror to see him brush his teeth. Nasty but effective let him brush in the tub or shower. If all else fails call your local public helath for ideas. Good Luck!

Answer 2

I have vivid recollections of this very power struggle. Sometimes it's just the age and it passes.

Our dentist gave us some books that are fun and talk about "cavity bugs" and other bad things that grow in your mouth when you don't brush. That really got the kids thinking. I also invoked the tooth fairy. I told my kids that they will lose their teeth in a few years and the tooth fairy will give them money. Seems like all kids know about the tooth fairy before they even know what a tooth is. BUT, I said, the tooth fairy is very picky and only gives $$ and toys for clean teeth. This increased the interest in brushing immediately.

We also did other things mentioned here. We bought the toothpaste for kids etc. You actually don't really even need to use toothpaste. The act of brushing is more important. So if you can get your child to use a fun toothbrush then that might do the trick. We bought spin brushes and the novelty seemed to help.

Finally, one other thing you can do is to use the fluoride rinses. They have bubble gum and grape flavors. We do our best to brush but when we are done we use the rinse and have spitting contests into the sink. It's important that the kids don't swallow but if you only use a little it's probably not a big deal. Something about boys and spitting though - it's a magic combination.

And if all else fails remember that these are "starter" teeth. Good habits are important to form early but I think the higher power realized the kids and good dental hygiene don't mix. We all get a second chance with teeth. Thank goodness!

Answer 3

Helping children form good habits is very important!
The best trick for getting a kid to do anything is to make it look like so much fun that he wants to do it, but you might be beyond the time when brushing with Mommy and Daddy could be fun.
Another proven method of coercing a child into doing something is to create a reward and punishment system based on something that is important...some type of privelege, restriction or treat. You could buy him something special to help him learn.
Let him pick out the snazziest kicks(sneakers) in the store and make it very clear that he can't wear them if he doesn't brush his teeth nicely. When he does fail to brush his teeth 'nice' (without a fuss) one night ...let him wear the sneakers (or use the favorite object) after he brushes the next day ...

Answer 4

I have a 20 month old and he loves to brush his teeth... what I did was: since he was a baby I would hold while I brushed my own teeth. He would just stare and when he was old enough to get his gums cleaned I would do it while making silly teeth noises. He thought it was a game and fell in love with it. Children, especially toddlers, love to copy what their parents do. I also bought an extra toothbrush for his plush dog. We also brush his teeth and it gets my son super excited to brush as well. What y'all can do is brush each other's teeth. Have your child brush your teeth while you brush his/ hers. He may not get all of your teeth but be sure you get his/ hers. Then you can ask each other to look in your mouths to see if y'all missed a spot and go from there. It worked with my step-daughter when she was about 4. She hated to brush and then loved it. Good luck!!!

Answer 5

He is too young to do a thorough job himself anyway, so you'll have to keep doing it.

We lay our 3 year old son down on his back with his head between our legs and brush his teeth that way. He can see up into our eyes and we make funny faces, sing songs, and pretend we are brushing away the "sugar bugs" that make cavities in his teeth (we chase the bugs around with the toothbrush and brush them away). We have been doing this ever since he had teeth and he just knows it is part of our daily routine and doesn't fuss about it.

Your son probably still won't like it, but after awhile he will get used to it. This position is especially helpful when they go to the dentist because it is the same position he will get into for the hygenist to clean his teeth (laying on his back with him/her cleaning above him...just like you and I do).

Have him pick out his own toothbrush and toothpaste (safe for swallowing) and he might feel some ownership in it. You can have him "brush" first and then you can go back and clean the spots he missed (probably his entire mouth).

Ask friends for a good pediatric dentist recommendation and call them for advice and to schedule his first appointment. Our pediatric dentist is totally geared for kids (pacman game, Nemo video, toys, books, etc) so our son LOVES going to the dentist so he can play and get his teeth cleaned (getting his teeth cleaned is what he has to do to get the reward of playing pacman).

Hope this helps. Also, just in case you have any younger children or are planning more....start brushing their teeth as soon as they get their first tooth. Use a baby finger toothbrush and the special non-flouride baby toothpaste. They usually enjoy the feeling. They will be so used to having their teeth brushed that they won't put up a fight when they are 2 or 3. Good luck!

Answer 6

Take him to the store and let him pick out his own toothbrush and toothpaste so he feels like its something he "gets" to do not something he "has" to do. If he's not excited about it, it's going to look more like a chore. Also try rewarding him for when he does it. Make a chart and give him a sticker for everytime he brushes his teeth. If he gets 5 stars or so, give him a treat at the end of the week.

Answer 7

I don't have a child of my own but I have had experience in dealing with this while babysitting. Here are some things I try...

Kinda make it like a game... see who can brush there teeth the quickest.. or tell him its ur turn first and let him watch you do it

Buy a light up and/or singing electric tooth brush.. kids love them.. i think i saw some at target

Finally... I saw my aunt do this with her son and thought it was so cute...she sings a song with him while she brushes his teeth. It goes to the tune of Row, Row, Row your boat. Brush, brush, brush your teeth, brush them everyday. Up and down and round and round. Brush the food away.

Hope I helped a little!

Answer 8

Don't give him the option. Tell him he has to. Take him to the store, let him pick out a toothbrush and toothpaste. There is so much of a variety. Then tell him how much decay, not brushing his teeth can cause. He needs to do it, no matter what. You're the parent, not him.

Answer 9

This sounds quite demanding. you recognize what? possibly his tooth are smooth and that makes it so he received't brush...I only went by skill of a few dental appointments (3 a million/2 hrs in the chair on one visit which lined the eliminating of an previous root canal, ouch) It took numerous weeks till now the tooth next to it "settled down" placed on the detective hat mom this little guy won't be able to allow you to recognize what's happening at the same time as the comb touches his tooth... possibly he's not used to distinct "textures" in his mouth. possibly the bristles on the comb problem him....you recognize tickles too a lot? attempt replacing the textures of the belongings you provide him to eat and watch him and word if it will be his tooth are "feeling" some thing that should not be occurring.... sometimes that's available to lose the the teeth masking probability-free practices on the tooth making them great smooth to no longer purely warm/chilly yet also no longer be able to tolerate the contact of a broom to the tooth... typically do not anticipate some thing like your dentist did. only because he's this youthful would not recommend some thing couldn't be incorrect consisting of his the teeth. wonderful regards, wish for the great. JM

Answer 10

My son is the same age. He wouldn't brush his teeth either until I bought one of the electric toothbrushes. I let him pick it out and I let him brush his own teeth then tell him to let me help and say ahhhhhhh like a dinosaur.

I also brush mine at the same time as him!