How can I get my 2 year old to start brushing his teeth?

Question

We started trying when he got his first tooth but now he won't even let us near his mouth, no matter how many faces and songs we do.

Answer 1

Start with a Spiderman Electric Toothbrush. That's what it took for my son. Also, get kid toothpaste that doesn't taste as bad. (Well I think it does, but kids don't seem to). Then stand there and make him. Good luck!

Answer 2

He could be getting in some teeth and his gums are sore. Let him sit on the sink with his feet dangling in the sink under the running water. Let him dip his toothbrush under the water when hes brushing his teeth. You take a turn brushing and then he takes a turn brushing. If the toothbrush is bothering him try a different one or for now rub his teeth with a wet wash cloth to clean what you can that way until his gums get better if there are hurting or are sore.

Answer 3

As long as my 2 yr old has her spongebob toothbrush she's good to go.She loves to brush her teeth,because she loves her toothbrush.Find one that's close to your child's favorite character,then let them watch you brush your teeth.That's how i got my daughter brushing.And now any time of the day she wants to brush i let her,even if I just run water over the brush with no paste.When she get a little older we'll work on certain times to brush,but now it's working out fine.

Answer 4

Make a game out of it. With our two children, we have had great success with having them grit there teeth and make a "grrrrr" sound like an animal while we brush the front of the teeth, then open really wide and say "aaaaah" while we brush the back, then make a big deal of rinsing and spitting. Kids seem to love to rinse and spit. Once he gets used to this, encourage him to play the game while you watch. Soon, he will be able to do it on his own.

I hope that, no matter what you try, it goes well. May God bless and keep you.

Answer 5

I would start brushing your teeth and give him his tooth brush, with a little toothpaste on it. (Make sure it's a kid's toothpaste b/c the adult one is too strong for them, and they won't use it) And try to get him to start doing it himself. Keep telling him that doing this will keep his teeth pretty and white. Do this every morning and night and he will get the hang of things. The best way kids learn is by repitition.

Answer 6

Show them a picture of a grown-up with bad & missing teeth smiling. I still have nightmares about the the one my mum showed me (well OK, slight exageration!).
I'm not so sure about the 'Brrrrrush Game' suggested above - they might harm their gums if they frantically get as many brushes in as they can in 2 minutes + they won't be learning the correct effective technique.

Answer 7

I has this problem - then I found a chink in her armour.. she is a huge Fifi and the Flowertot fan (obviously you'll have to tailor the solution for your little boy)

Anyways - I began by telling her (in a really excited tone) how Fifi LOVE LOVE LOVED brushing her teeth.. then pretended to brush the dolls teeth..then when it was her turn.. sat her opposite me and kept saying (in same excited tone - lol) 'Look Fifi - Look at Em - she is getting her teeth brushed' etc

Good luck! Hoping the 'mexican stand off' soon goes -

Answer 8

buy the kind of brush that you know he likes...then start doing it and ask after a few times if he would like to do it himself. It works for my 2 yr old....i let him put the paste on the brush and go to town. then when he is done, i do it over and give him a hi five

Answer 9

I went through the same thing with my son and I ended up telling him that if we didn't brush his teeth than he would have "tooth buggies". He doesn't want "bugs" on his teeth so he is sure to brush them everyday. There are times when my husband is brushing his teeth and my son wants to brush also, and then I will brush mine and he wants to brush again.

Good luck!

Answer 10

Take the kid in with you as you are brushing your own, that way they will learn by experiencing it with Dad. You may want to be sure you have a smaller type brush that fits their hands better and a toohpaste that is soo strong of a taste to them too.

Answer 11

Make a game out of it, do it together show him you brushing your teeth, tell him how impotant it is, sing the song this is the way we brush our teeth, he will soon catch on, you will still have to remind him to do it though I have a seven and ten uear old boys who would try to sneak off to bed withou doing it if I didn't remind them. But thats kids for you. good luck....