i cant get my 3 year old to brush her teeth!?

Question

hi, i cannot get my three year old to brush her teeth, she will brush using just the brush but wont use toothpaste, i have tried different flabvours, doing mine at same time but she gags when she thinks of using toothpaste, even when she watches me do it....any ideas?

rumster - sorry but a msack isnt the solution to any problem!!

thanks everyone, will give them all a try!

Answer 1

I see a lot of parents in the same position as yourself and can fully sympathise with you, i work as a dental nurse!
I bought a book for the children, it's all about going to the dentist and brushing their teeth, and the kid's in my surgery loved it, it's kind of like a Topsy and Tim kind of book and worked wonders.
We also invested in some brushing charts, winnie the pooh for the young ladies and Power rangers for the young gentlemen, the idea of these is each time the little star manages to brush their teeth mummy/daddy will place a sticker on the chart and it encourages them to brush as they get rewarded for doing so.
If your little lady is quite girly try investing in some toothpaste that comes in a brightly coloured tube, and a matching toothbrush with a small soft head, maybe something like Barbie fairy princess-(used as example as it sells well in my surgery).
Try making brushing time fun, try and encourage her as much as possible, but dont force her as they will have the opposite effect and you could end up with a very sad little lady.
Even if she doesn't allow toothpaste onto the brush praise her for brushing anyway and maybe try using one of her favourite toy's pretending that your brushing the toys teeth as well.
She is still only small and will eventually over come this but if you do have any concerns take her to your regular dentist.
Good luck and happy brushing.

Answer 2

Actually, it's the brushing, not the paste that cleans the teeth, so it is not VITAL that she even use toothpaste if she brushes well...you should be finishing up for her anyway until she's about 6. Also, since she is not liking toothpaste, make sure she is drinking flouridated water. Not all counties have flouride in their tap water. This is important..if you use only bottled water or well water or your county does not have flouridated water, she needs to take daily flouride drops which you can get from your pediatrician. Make an appointment with a pediatric dentist...they like to see the kids for the first time at 3 anyway. Ask him/her about toothpastes that might work for her. I know how your daughter feels though, I can only use 1 specific brand of toothpaste or I gag. I've forgotten mine on a vacation before and had to gag away for 2 days on a different type!!

Answer 3

My six year daughter uses a toothpaste by Colgate that has stars in, they do three ranges for different ages maybe one of these might help, before that she used punch and judy toothpaste from the chemist - hard to get hold of. How about getting her toothbrush ready before she goes into the bathroom by putting the tiny amount of toothpaste on the brush but sort of pushing it into the bristles rather than on top where she can see it. I used to tell my daughter to keep brushing until I could see my face in her teeth, worked for her, also the tooth fairy when she takes your teeth she only puts the best ones of display and throws all the bad ones away so she has to keep them really clean. May not be much help but good luck.

Answer 4

I had this same problem with my 4 year old son up until a month ago. Have you tried the new Colgate Kids toothpaste? They have a new kind that has toothpaste and mouthwash in one. It comes in watermelon,strawberry and bubble gum flavors. My son hated every other kind of toothpaste until this one. I tried it myself and I can see why he likes it. It doesn't even taste like toothpaste! I would give it a try if I were you. I wouldn't worry to much about her not using toothpaste though. I let my son brush without it up until we found this toothpaste and his dentist says his teeth are just fine!. I would definatley try the Colgate Kids and if it doesn't work, just keep trying until you find something she likes. Don't worry, she'll outgrow it! Good luck!

Answer 5

At age 3, no child can really do a good job brushing anyway. YOU need to do the job at least once a day for another couple of years. Try using little to no toothpaste to see if that's what really makes her gag.

Answer 6

Take her to the store with you and let her pick out a fun kids flavor with sparkles or something in it. Let her pick it out and make a big fuss over it. Also try a reward system for each time she uses it. Be sure she gets a cool battery operated toothbrush too to go with the "new " toothpaste. If she won't use any paste after all of this then have her use either baking soda or salt or just continue with the plain brush but be sure she is seeing the dentist every 6 months as scheduled.

Answer 7

At three she should be ready for a dentist visit to familiarize her with the office, dental staff, and our equipment. There she will become familiar with everything and (what to expect next visit) also she will get to select a new toothbrush and paste along with a trip to the toy box, all of which might get her interested in taking care of her teeth and using the toothpaste.

It's not extremely necessary that she uses toothpaste as long as she is brushing and you are monitoring her making sure she cleans them well. I wouldn't be so concerned with adding fluoride as there are some who are in disagreement with its use, although we still advise its use. You don't want her to have excessive amounts either, make sure it's not in your water supply prior to giving it to her orally.

Have you introduced floss yet, she may be too young to manipulate it herself but she should watch you and become familiar with it, or you floss for her. She will eventually want to "do as you do" just give her time. We also floss their teeth and brush them, showing them how to do it, if the child is cooperative on their first visit.

Never force a child as they may never "want" to do it later. We only want to encourage them in their dental care, give them a good visit so they will feel familiar, comfortable and want to come see us for the next appointment.

Hope I've been of some help this morning, and good luck with your daughter, you seem to be doing a great job!

Answer 8

Not heard this one before, my son has a phobia against everything that's good for him e.g vegetables, fruit etc.
Best to use a mouthwash to start with, then move on to a tiny bit of toothpaste then say a trip to dentist may be in order if she can't still have any toothpaste.

Answer 9

LOL, I have a little fella in my daycare he`s three and he was resistant to tooth brushing! I bought him a fire engine battery operated toothbrush!!It lights up, and it vibrates!! He runs to the bathroom to have his teeth brushed everyday!!I also use sponge bob square pants toothpaste, ( bubblegum flavored)!!!

Answer 10

have you tried a very thin layer of toothpaste? or pretending you love the taste of it, or getting another child to brush their teeth with her and making a big game out of it...