11 month old HATES getting his teeth brushed?

Question

So I have an adorable little 11 month old son, he is not so adorable when its time to brush his teeth. He throws himself out of my arms, crawls away, and just screams and crys. He has about 7 teeth and I am very scared they will rot, as he STILL takes bottles to bed sometimes. How can I get him to let me brush those teeth? :o)

Answer 1

Been through this 3 times!!
I did a combo of things:
1.get ADA aproved tooth paste in a child friendly flavor like watermelon or bubblegum. I think it's nasty, but the girls like it. They always say the mint "burns."
2. Try at different times in the day. When he is less tired during the day he may be more amienable to giving it try. and once he gets more used to it, he won't fight it as much. Also try several times during the day. He will get more used to it, and "de-sensitised."
3. Try different size and styles of tooth brush. He is young enough , you may even want to still use the "finger brush." It is a silicon sleeve that is nubby and you can put a dab of tooth patse on it and rub each tooth. You can also use a wet wash cloth with a dab of toothpaste if necessary. try it all and see what works.

I really wish you best and hang in there!! It might also help to distract him with singing the ABC's while you brush -- that way you also know you have brushed long enough.

Also have some water near by in a cup for each of you. Show him how you spit in the sink. Then try to get him to. He might like the spitting enough, to put up with the brushing to get to do it.

As he gets older try to pay attention whether or not other sensations bother him. He may be very perceptive of things like taste, sound, touch ... you get the idea. He may be resisting the toothbrushing because it is such a big difference to what he is used to feeling and tasting in his mouth.

Hang in there and don't give up -- you really are wise to want to avoid tooth rot.

Answer 2

Join the club! My son is almost 3 and STILL hates to have his teeth brushed! I told this to the dentist who said this isn't unusual and that it may take two people to do the job: one to hold him down and the other to brush. We found that my husband is better at brushing, so I hold my son down, though my husband will sometimes uses his body too. My son will laugh when I pretend to burp while I sing him a song. This relaxes him and gets his mouth open rather than having to pry it open--sometimes. So, that's what we do. The dentist says it has to be done and these tactics don't make them hate brushing when they
they're older. Have fun! Good luck!

Answer 3

First, I'd recommend gradually decreasing the proportion of formula/milk in the bottle and increasing the proportion of water until he's just taking water to bed. As for the brushing, I'd try other flavors of toothpaste and using a soft washcloth instead of a brush. You also might try letting him "brush" a little himself (he will probably just suck the toothbrush, but it will get him used to it), and then gradually "help" him brush the teeth. A musical or light up toothbrush might help too.

Answer 4

OH WOW GIRL, you can get some really bad advice on this thing, be very careful, because there are alot of people out there whose children are going to have YUCK MOUTH FOR REAL!!

THERE IS NO WAY 11 MONTHS IS TO YOUNG TO BRUSH THE BABY'S TEETH.

In fact, we started brushing our babies gums before he had teeth to get him used to it. And we checked with the doctor first!!!

Now about your dilema. First at ll months you are able to use floride toothpaste...I ASKED MY DOCTOR THAT TOO...BECAUSE THE BOTTLES ALL SAY UNDER 6 CONSULT A PHYSICIAN. But we have a great doctor and she said it was ok, AS LONG AS IT IS LESS THAN A PEA SIZE TWICE A DAY.

we felt as though the non-floride brands were not providing enough protection. ( Make sure it is the children brand of floride toothpaste though, so the floride content isnt to high. and they have more enjoyable flavors for the kids as well, like bubble gum and berry)

Now, to get him to WANT to brush them teethe. PRACTICE PATIENCE. AND PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE.

Repeat your routine, the same two times a day everyday. If you do it in the morning, make sure its always in the same sequence. Say if you change the diaper first, then wash the face or brush the hair, then brush teeth always do it like that.

Second, let him see how much fun you have brushing your teeth. When you do your teeth always have him with you. Dance and smile and make funny faces in the mirror. hum and sing. And say "teeth teeth" and point to his teeth. Let him brush your teeth.
Also, while your brushing your teeth, let him hold and play with his toothbrush, HE IS G0ING TO WANT TO IMITATE YOU EVENTUALLY..GUARANTEED!!!!

BE CONSISTANT. and dont expect for him to adapt over night. He will take time to adjust but if youSTICK TO YOUR GUNS (and I know it's hard, we just want to make our kids happy, we hate to see them upset) But you have to for his sake. A few months he will be so tired of fighting you knowing that you are going to brush them little teeth teeth anyway, he will learn to enjoy.

Plus when he starts standing well, you get a little stool, so he can come up to the sink with you, some childrens dixie cups, and a childrens toothbrush holder. He is gonna want to do it all the time!

Enjoy and BE PATIENT!

Answer 5

We went through the same thing, my DD is 20 months and still does it! It's soo horrible. The easiest way for us it to let he brush our teeth while we brush hers. It has to be done well though so if she starts to struggle you may have to hold her down and get it done. T feels horrible but our dentist told us it had to be done, better they are in discomfort for a min a day rather than when they have to get their teeth filled because if cavities! Good luck! :)

Answer 6

11 Months is not too young to have their teeth brushed. And you are right, milk, especially at bedtime is very bad for teeth. Is is very importnant to keep brushing them to prevent decay. Healthy habits start early, so for those of you who wait to start brushing your childs teeth, it will actually be HARDER to get them accustomed to the habit. My son is 4, and he still whines about it at times. But I have a close friend with a 2.5 year old who is dealing with tooth decay because she did brush his teeth regularly, and would sometimes let him chew on his toothbrush at bathtime. My sons dentist ssid to start early, and we did. He has the cleenest teeth of any child I know because I make sure it is done, regardless of his temperment.

Answer 7

I wouldn't push the whole brushing issue, with my children I had gotten them the little kids soft bristled toothbrushes and the kid friendly toothpaste (at his age...Barney lol) and I had put a pea sized ammount on the brush and handed the baby the toothbrush and let them chew on it...it gives the "I'm a big boy / girl" feeling and you can relax knowing that he's getting the cavity protection as well.

Answer 8

11 months is too early to be brushing a childs teeth. Talk to your dentist on when you should start brushing your sons teeth, most of them recomend around the age of 2.

Answer 9

My daughter hates it too. Make sure he sees you brush your teeth and give him his toothbrush to "brush" his teeth by himself along with you. He should become comfortable with brushing his own teeth. My daughter just chews on hers. When you are done with yours, tell him you need to finish up, then take his brush and quickly but gently brush them for a few seconds. Be consistent and gentle. I have done this with my daughter for the past 9 months and now she is much better. She still cries occasionally, but now she is able to brush a little and then I finish up for her (till she does a better job by herself).

Answer 10

First don't push it, after all the are just baby teeth they will come out. Second try giving him his own tooth brush. My 14 month old brushes her teeth but only with her tooth brush, in the bath tub.