time to brush?

Question

my daughter is almost 3 and i am still having a hard time getting her to brush her teeth. i've tried everything, rewards, every flavored toothpaste under the sun, various toothbrushes...even an electric one. i always end up brushing her teeth and she cries the whole time. usually about this time arent they suppose to be brushing their own teeth, somewhat, and spitting out the toothpaste? has anyone else had this problem? any advice is appreciated!

Answer 1

I would make it a mommy and baby thing....everytime mommy brushes her teeth the baby does the same and then after words they can give bunches and bunches of kisses....I know for my lil boy who is 2, he wants to do everything his mom does so that is how we get things done most of the time....hope everything works out, but remember it takes some kids a lil longer to catch on to certain things.

Answer 2

I would start making it a chain of choices for her, all resulting in her teeth being brushed. Give her so many choices about it that it seems a little insane to you. Try things like:

Do you want to brush your teeth before breakfast or after?
Do you want mom to brush them or do you want to?
Do you want to use the green toothbrush or the yellow one?
Do you want to use the Dora toothpaste or the Blue's Clue's?
Do you want to brush the tops first or the bottoms?
Do you want to put the paste on the brush or should mommy?


I mean really get annoying with all the choices you give her. This seems to be a complete power struggle between the two of you. She wants some control so give it to her. Of course always make the two choices agreeable with what you want no matter which she chooses. Give her 10 seconds to decide, if she doesn't then you dicide.

As for her brushing her teeth on her own, she will decide that on her own after a few days of getting her way. I do suggest that you still brush her teeth too, at least once a day, or before or after she brushes them. Just to make sure her teeth are getting clean properly.








/
Do you want mommy to brush them or do you want to brush them?

Answer 3

Not to soon. You should be brushing there teeth from the time they get them. My daughter is almost 3, and she loves brushing her teeth. Thank Goodness. As a matter of fact, then she is to go see the dentist when she turns 3. Have you tried letter her brush her teeth on her own with your supervision of course...or by playing a game like.....open wide, open wide, fa lal alaal, and just sing along and make up goofy games, and make it fun for her. Or have everyone get into the bathroom together and make a game out of brushing their teeth. Just do something that is fun.

Answer 4

yes. I sometimes feel like a failure because we fight over the toothbrush! I hope we can get through this but all he does is brush his tongue. I sympathize and btw my other two kids brush with no problem. I always buy flavored toothpaste with either spongebob or some other character on it for them. The only thing I can say is fight her for now and eventually she will get over it. that is the think the dentist told me. Just long enough for it to be a routine and then she will not want to fight and might do it herself.....Wish I could be of more help, but just know youre not alone...

Answer 5

I applaud your efforts thus far with trying to let her pick her brush and paste, normally at this age you would let them brush with supervision and instruction, then you brush for follow-up to insure all areas have been brushed. With one of my girls it was a battle to get her to let me brush her teeth once she thought she was "big enough" to do it on her own. It can be so frustrating. Now with my grandkids I sing either a song they pick out or something simple, for example the ABC's or Itsy bitsy spider while they brush, they won't start until I sing and they can't stop until I'm done (no matter how many times I start over). I know you've already tried some bargaining with her but maybe you could try: "if you brush like a big girl you can pick the story tonight, if you choose to argue then we won't read because you're wasting all our reading time arguing over this, it's your choice."
Hang in there, it's hard but boy does this time fly past! Good Luck

Answer 6

My 8 year old brushes his teeth all the time by himself, but I have to remind all the time.
I started brushing his teeth when his teeth came in, we brush our teeth together. I also took him to the dentist when he was 2, they put him in the chair, looked at his teeth (didn't really do anything), gave him a new tooth brush and a toy. I've always explained the importance of going to the dentist.

http://www.saveyoursmile.com/parents/dzgettingkidstobrush.html

Answer 7

I go through the same thing with my 3yr old. With her I let her pick out her tooth brush and the kids toothpaste and she does ok. She brushes her teeth every time I or her brother do. As long as she brushes it doesn't have to be long then she be fine. Just be patient.

Answer 8

My daughter will be 17 months old next week and she loves brushing her teeth, she started brushing them when she was a year old. Everytime she sees the tooth paste shes yelling for it "toothpaste", I guess its a good thing that she started early and that she likes it.

Answer 9

She should be trying to brush her own teeth by now... Maybe you should try taking her to the dentists office and talking to the dentist there. He could possibly give you tips on making brushing fun, and show her what happens to your teeth if you don't brush (without being too scary obviously :) ) Hopefully this works. Good Luck!

Answer 10

My daughter started brushing her own teeth around 2; however, I still brush her teeth to this very day because I feel much better when I do it. I am a stickler for nice and healthy teeth. Don't worry...children have their own pace. She will do it when she's ready.