My son has nearly 16 teeth and I know I should be brushing them at least once or twice a day, but I have yet to figure out how. I started out giving him a toddler toothbrush with the Toddler Orajel paste just to chew on/play with (didn't work). I then tried brushing my own teeth before brushing his (didn't work). I really don't know what else to try. He won't let me near his mouth without clamping his lips shut. The only way I can even get to his teeth is to pry his mouth open while he screams in protest and then, as you can imagine, I can't really do an effective job of brushing. How does everyone else do it? I'm at a loss here.
2006-10-09 13:50:01 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
The brush I bought for him is an infant/toddler brush with ducks on it. He likes it - just not in his mouth. : )
2006-10-09 14:01:10 · update #1
There are infant toothbrushes that fit over your finger, almost like a thimble. My 18 month old only wants to play with her toothbrush and also won't let me put it in her mouth. But because the other one is on your finger, you can quickly manuever it around her mouth to get the job done! I think toddler toothbrushes are useless until they actually *learn* how to brush their own teeth.
2006-10-09 14:44:11 · answer #1 · answered by tcup916 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I didn't realize how lucky I was until I read your post! My 19 month old LOVES to brush his teeth! My mother bought him a toothbrush, since she babysits him during the day. She would give it to him and let him try, and then she'd help him out. When they were all done, she'd reward him with a little cup of water for rinsing (drinking really!) and he absolutely loved that. He'll brush his teeth 20 times a day now just to get that little tiny cup of water. It amazes me because he doesn't even LIKE water, but I'm guessing that the trick is that little cup. Have you asked your dentist about it? Whatever happens, don't stress too much. Taking care of his teeth is important, but if you absolutely can't get near his mouth with a toothbrush, don't stress it right now. Have you tried the little finger brush that comes with tooth and gum cleanser? That one worked great with my son as well. I told him that mommy was going to "tickle" his mouth, and he'd let me go in and brush. I use the same trick to clean his ears. I hope you find something that works! Good luck hun!
2006-10-09 16:03:33 · answer #2 · answered by Megan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We started brushing as soon as he had teeth (9 months). We started by letting him chew on it himself, then doing a really quick brush. Now that he's older, he really likes copying what we're doing so brushes his teeth when we do. I always let him do it first, then do a quick follow up.
1)Try yummy toothpaste,
2)matter of factly telling him if he doesn't let you do a very quick brush, you'll take something away or not let him do something,
3)or tell him he can have a candy or special little new toy or something if he lets you.
It's very important to take baby steps. Start by just looking in his mouth ("Say 'ahhhh'!"), give him a reward. Then work up to touching his teeth, give him rewards. Then work up to a very gentle 2 second brush on front teeth, give reward.
Do SLOW, consistent, baby steps working towards it. Good luck!
2006-10-09 17:46:49 · answer #3 · answered by Margie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep it fun, Keep it consistent. That's the best you can do. He will eventually catch on. I learned a week ago that they changed the recommended age for them to see a dentist from 3 year to 1 year. So my daughter who just turned 2 last month is a year behind. I would consult with a dentist on what you should do at this point.
Good Luck
2006-10-09 14:04:50 · answer #4 · answered by erinjl123456 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't have a idea........Good luck
Brush together or maybe grandma or grandpa or cousin doing it maybe I want to too.
Let him do it himself (Independence) . Then maybe later on he will let you. If you are forcing him he will NOT comply
I have never heard of kids not wanting to brush their teeth
My sister in law got the baby tooth brushes for when they first get teeth. Maybe next child start with that....
2006-10-09 14:00:41 · answer #5 · answered by krayzmom 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My daughter acted the same way. We had to hold her down for a couple of weeks until she got use to it but now she ask to brush her teeth.
2006-10-09 15:01:12 · answer #6 · answered by sweethonesty1699 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
there are toothbrushes for babies.. gently try to brush his teeth ith that. thats how we started brushing my daughters teeth- it was hard at first but now with help she can do it by herself-- we still have to do a once over when she is done.
hope that helped and good luck
2006-10-09 13:59:53 · answer #7 · answered by ♥charlies angel♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would tell my daughter....ok you brush your teeth for the count of 10 and then mommy brushes your teeth for the count of 10.
We would go back and forth until I thought her teeth were clean.
2006-10-09 16:03:10 · answer #8 · answered by daljack -a girl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I make it fun first I brush my teeth he watches. Then he sits on the toilet and I tip him backwards and say show me your teeth real funny. He laughs so hard I can get in there a little.
2006-10-09 17:43:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
have you tried the battery opperated ones with small soft bristles, myson got one shaped like a race car thats all it took, the newest ones play a song that lasts the amount of time your actually suppost to brush, brush till the music stops.
2006-10-09 17:43:26 · answer #10 · answered by Crissy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋