Do you have any clever ideas to get a toddler to willingly brush her teeth?

Answer 1

there is a listerine mouth wash, i think its listerine but it has agent blue stuff in it and it helps kids know where to brush, that might make it fun.

Answer 2

There are plenty of books for toddlers about brushing their teeth, washing their hands, etc. But, in my experiences - my kids would rather hear a book about fire trucks or barbie pretending to be rapunzel, then about brushing their teeth.

Next time you're at the store - have the child pick out the toothbrush. More than likely they'll pick out a battery operated one. My son found a fire truck one, and now loves to brush his teeth.

Also, buy a toothpaste of a bubblegum flavor (NOT bubblegum mint - yuck!). Or berry. Make sure it's not mint. Most toddlers don't like mint. Have your child also pick this out.

Keep a routine. Always brush your teeth after breakfast. And before bedtime. Keep it at the same time every day. That way, you can just announce what time it is, and the child will know what to do. After that, it becomes habit.

And good routines, become good habits.

Answer 3

Cool, I just saw a commercial for the new mouthwash for kids, it's made by Listerine and it is dark blue (I believe it's called Listerine Agent Cool Blue). The mouthwash has an ingredient that turns plaque blue. Anyway, the kids brush their teeth, then rinse with the mouthwash, and if there is any blue on their teeth when they spit out the wash, then they know they need to re-brush those areas. Kids think its cool because it turns their teeth blue! But once the teeth are properly clean, the blue is gone. I remember something like this when I was a kid, but it was little white tablets that tasted like cherries, and turned your teeth red if they weren't clean enough. We liked it, and we brushed more, too! Good luck with your little one and the brushing!

Answer 4

For a long time I would wrap my daughter in a tight towel and force brush them. Then I went to the store and bought this cute little kids electric toothbrush thinking my daughter would love it. Turns out it kinda freaked her out. So finally I was like pick out a toothbrush anyone you want I'll pay whatever it takes. She picked out a princess toothbrush and some princess and scooby doo toothpaste. I continued for a couple of days to brush them for her when it hit me. Let her do it herself. Now she brushes her own teeth willingly and I will watch and guide as needed. I inspect them afterwards and if I see that a spot was missed I'll go in with her hand still on the brush and get it. Then we got these cute little 5oz lion king cups that she gets to rinse with. Hope this helps. I've also learned that letting them do it "themselves" helps with brush hair, getting dressed, cleaning their own room, getting in the carseat, pretty much everything.

Answer 5

Our 2 & 1/2 yr. old daughter loves to be held upside down when playing. So if she's really not cooperating and we need to get her teeth brushed, I'll pick her up, hold her upside down, and my wife will brush her teeth while she's laughing and giggling.

Not a good long-term solution, but it works in a pinch. Of course, we're doing the brushing for her; she's not really ready to brush on her own. Once she it, I don't think this'll work. :)

Also, she loves Dora the Explorer, and early on my wife got her a Dora battery-powered spin-brush (don't know the brand -- was available at the CVS drug store). So at bedtime it's not just "Let's go brush", but "Let's go brush with Dora and Boots!", which makes it a happier experience for her.

And finally -- though this might result in big therapy bills in a couple of years -- my wife does explain, "We have to go brush our teeth so they don't get holes in them". In a cheerful way -- not a mean threat -- but it does seem to get the point across that brushing is important.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Let her pick out the toothbrush. That's a good one, then get a toothpaste that isn't yucky. Tell her you are going to brush for her first, then let her try on her own.
Barney has a great song that I sing with my son, it goes like this...
I'm brushing my teeth on top,
It's so much fun I hate to stop,
Chorus:
And when I'm brushing my teeth and having so much fun,
I never let the wa-ter run, NO, I never let the water run!
Now I'm brushing my teeth on bottom,
'Cause I wouldn't wanna say I forgot 'em.
Chorus again:
...make up your own words that will make her laugh and make it fun!

Answer 7

I went through this with my son when he was 2 or so. We were talking about monsters one night and how he was scared of them and I told him about 'plaque monsters' eating his teeth and how much they hated toothpaste.

Now, he's 9, we brush together to get rid of the plaque monsters. When he/she gets older you can take a toothpick and rub it on the teeth and get some 'plaque monsters' on it so the kid knows you weren't just kidding with him.

I think the thing that works the best is to do it together. It's great bonding time to make funny faces in the mirror and fight over the mirror by butting each other out of the way.

Have fun and enjoy!

Answer 8

Try a toothbrush that lights up. They can be found at most drugstores for just a few dollars. It is timed so they brush their teeth for the recommended time. The light excites kids and encourage them to brush.

Answer 9

I let my little boy pick out his toothbrushes and then we make up "games" to play while WE brush (this way he sees me and hubby brushing too).... who can brush all their teeth the BEST, who can hold keep brushing until the buzzer goes off (I set a timer for two minutes and act like I am struggling to make it and then he is the winner). I also use a chore chart and he gets tokens for chores he does and when he has tokens saved up he gets to pick a fun activity or a new toy.

Answer 10

My son never wanted to brush his teeth. One day, out of the blue, I just said that if he doesn't brush his teeth there will be "teeth buggies" in his mouth. That was enough for him. He now brushes his teeth without any problems.

Answer 11

let her do it for a little bit and then you do it for a little make it like a shareing game. She will evtually get her teeth cleaned DO NOT force her if she doesn't want to do it. If she does not brush her teeth for a couple days it is still better than traumatizing her then she will never really do a good job.