She really hates it. I bought the softest, littlest toothbrush I could find. I wont use my fingers (she'll bite me). But she likes the flavor of the toothpaste (flouride free).
Any sugestions on how to make it fun or at least easier?
2006-11-26 13:32:42 · 21 answers · asked by AuroraBorealis 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
letting her brush them isn't realistic either
2006-11-26 13:35:33 · update #1
My daughter is happy to brush her teeth because I let her sit on the counter to do it. I sing a silly song while we brush. She was resistant for a while, so I just made sure she was in the bathroom with me while I brushed my teeth (even if I had to brush them at odd times just so she'd see me do it), but I didn't even suggest that she do hers. After about 4 or 5 days of this, she was begging to brush her own teeth. She loves being a "big girl" and getting her teeth clean every night now!
2006-11-27 03:31:03 · answer #1 · answered by Robin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have an 18 month little girl and an 11 year old son. I started brushing my daughter teeth as soon as she had a bout 4 theeth. My son I did not bother with and now my daughter wants hers brushed more then my son does. We brush together. Go to Wal-Mart they have some stuff called Oral-B Stages Baby Tooth & Gum cleaner. That is a good start. 16 months or 12 months not to young
2006-11-26 13:56:16 · answer #2 · answered by JJ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you let her watch you brush your teeth? That's how I got my 16 month old son to let me brush his, he held his toothbrush and watched while I brushed my teeth and after a few days he tried brushing as well. When he attempted to brush I "guided" him and now that it's a habit he loves having them brushed. Once you get that down an easy way to floss is to use a handheld flosser that looks like a tooth brush with two prongs at the end and a peice of floss connecting the two ends. They're really cheap and work well!
2006-11-26 13:48:03 · answer #3 · answered by dolly 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does it hurt him? Either the act itself or the brush? When my daughter was about that age, I used my finger as the brush just to get her used to the idea. Now granted, her teeth did come in a lil later than most so she was still getting teeth at that point, but regardless, the finger worked. Then we moved from there to a brush and then having her do some by herself, then me finishing. You should never have to pin him down, and if that means starting over from scratch, you may have to do that!
2016-05-23 07:10:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I let my daughter play with her toothbrush during the day, so it was familiar to her.
Then I used it at night on her teeth. She absolutely loves having her teeth brushed because it something she has seen mommy and daddy do alot, and she wants to join in.
Some nights, if she is being difficult I sit with her on my lap, with her back on my stomach, and cup her chin with my left hand whilst taking the brush and and brushing her teeth. All the time, I'm telling her it's mommy's turn, and Angel can have her turn in a little while. She has her small turn at holding the brush and putting it in her mouth, then it's mommy's turn again.
Just let it be a game...
Let her see mummy brush her teeth, maybe encourage her to help you, and she'll probably want to try with her own brush.
Good luck!
2006-11-26 13:46:10 · answer #5 · answered by ♥Pamela♥ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my son's dr. said to start brushing with a floride toothpaste at 12 months. i put a very teeny amount on and i do it first for about a minute and then i let him do it while i brush mine. i also make him sit down so he's not wandering around and falls and jammes it down his throat or anything. he loves to brush his teeth and asks to everyday. i do always tell him how big he is and how proud i am that he lets me do it and he does it too. he's 18mths now and we've been doing it consistantly since he was 15 months. i started doing it occasionally at 12 mths but he wasn't a fan at first. he has a cute toothbrush though, maybe take yours to the store and let them pick it out.
2006-11-26 13:43:31 · answer #6 · answered by justagirl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My 12 month old hated having his teeth brushed. So we bought him an electric toothbrush that is shaped like a fire truck. He just sticks it in his mouth and holds it there while it is vibrating! We just guide it a little. It really worked!
2006-11-26 16:59:58 · answer #7 · answered by blakesmom 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a hard time getting my daughter to brush her teeth when she first started. I took her to the grocery store and asked her to pick out a tooth brush that she wanted to use. She picked out one with Spongebob on it, and after that she loved brushing her teeth with her toothbrush. I also let her brush her teeth by herself and then asked her to let me help her do the rest. She was very eager to do it on her own.
2006-11-26 16:29:02 · answer #8 · answered by Jennifer M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I beg to differ on a previous answer, she needs to be brushing her teeth daily. I wrap a wash cloth around my finger and put her toothpaste on it and brush softly, it is good and gets the job done, I also use this for her tongue. She will be uncomfortable, but only for a few sec while you attempt ot get this done, later she'll get used to it.
2006-11-26 14:15:54 · answer #9 · answered by Joni 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Looking at some other peoples answers I was shocked to see parents who thought tooth brushing was not necessary!!! Is highly important even from the first tooth!
I think it was already said but with my son I let him see me brush my teeth and even gave him the tooth brush to try to brush them for me (he thought that was so funny)
*make it a game
*don't stess about it
*just let her chew on it on her own time
*make it a nightly ritual before bed
*make funny sounds while brushing your teeth
2006-11-26 14:35:37 · answer #10 · answered by Amber Marie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋