MY 21 month old will not let me brush his teeth what are some good suggestions?

Answer 1

In addition to what everyone else is saying, I would check to make sure that it's not because he's in pain. He may have sore gums, sensitive teeth, or something wrong with one of his teeth which makes brushing hurt him.

If it continues after you have tried some of these other suggestions, I would take him to a dentist for a check-up to make sure there's nothing wrong.

Answer 2

Here are some ideas:

Get some children's books about oral hygiene and let him look at pictures and hear stories about how important it is to keep his teeth clean.

I used to tell my kids that "sugar bugs" lived on their teeth and that the bugs would try to eat their teeth unless we brushed them off. I would occasionally even scrape my nail on their teeth to get some placque on my fingernail, and show the white stuff to them ("See? That's some sugar bugs!"). Once they knew the purpose, they were much more inclined to brush and/or let me brush for them.

I also used to tell my kids they had "tinky breaths." I'd tell them it was time to brush their teeth and wave my hand in front of my face like I was fanning away the smell, and say, "Pooo-ey!! You got tinky breaths!" in a funny voice. They always thought it was funny to breathe on me, and I'd pretend I was choking, etc. Then, when their teeth were brushed, I'd smell their breath and say, "Oooh, what pretty, fresh, clean breath you have NOW!" and make an equally big deal about that.

Let him pick his own toothbrush out at the store, and make it a big occasion. Tell the clerk at the checkstand that he is a big boy now because he picked out his own toothbrush and is going to use it all the time, etc.

Let him watch you and/or your husband brush your teeth, or some other character that he looks up to and admires (I think there is a Barney video that shows Barney the Dinosaur brushing his teeth), and so on.

Make it part of his routine - get up, get dressed, eat breakfast, wash face, brush teeth, comb hair, etc., that he has to do before he can play or before you guys can go anywhere. Put a picture (like cut-outs from a magazine) of each task on a chart, and let him put a sticker or mark an "X" or something for each task he accomplishes. When he fills up his chart, he can get a treat.

Let him brush his own teeth - even if he just chews on the tooth brush. Once he is comfortable with the brush in his mouth, you can "help" him finish after he does it on his own for a bit.

Try the Kid's Crest Sparkle toothpaste. My kids loved it, not only because the flavor is mild and bubblegummy, but also because they thought the sparkles were neat.

Anyway - hope some or all of these help. Good luck!

Answer 3

If you haven't already, try a fancy toothbrush and kid's toothpaste. My son finds the mint stuff too "hot" and loves his Nemo grape toothpaste. I think it tastes like brushing your teeth with a Jolly Rancher, but he likes it.

Also, I let him choose what to brush next: tops, bottoms or "cheese". (The cheese part is where he says "cheese" like he's having his picture taken). This little bit of autonomy seems to help.

Other than that, all you can do is try!

ps: I'm not into large bribes or "punishment" for something like this. It's an invasive thing to have someone stick a toothbrush in your mouth and I don't think he's doing anything "wrong" if he doesn't like it.

Answer 4

Let him try as a big boy while you stand there and brush your teeth.. if he is refusing to brush get that mouth wash that changes your teeth colors and play a game with him.. He will pick up on it faster. Have fun!

Answer 5

I would buy a toddler toothbrush for him and let him do it himself. I know it's hard to want to do this, but it worked for both of my children, and any time they were cutting a tooth I would give them a wet washrag I had left in the fridge for about 10 minutes so that it would do two things: 1)soothe the mouth, and 2)wash the other teeth as they chewed on it.

Answer 6

a million answer - REWARDS! Create a advantages gadget, I used stickers on slightly paper for my 2 300 and sixty 5 days previous, which you should to handle her with a undeniable television tutor, a toy, and so on... probable not candy :) yet some thing that she loooves that's specifically reserved for AFTER she enables you to brush her tooth. additionally, make a extensive deal out of it each time, after... get particularly excited and tell her what an incredible job she did and all that. in step with probability take her to the save and enable her %. out the toothbrush, too. sturdy success!

Answer 7

HOLD HIM/HER DOWN! I had to hold mine down for like a month before he realized I was going to win everytime. It's easier if you wrap them in a towel (after bathtime), btw! His last check-up I was complimented by the dentist on how nice his teeth look for a kid his age (he's about to turn 3). Believe me, I tried the soft and easy approach, and meanwhile the plaque built up more and more. Think about it from their point of view, would you be open to somone putting a stick into your mouth? Also, try the "big boy/girl" approach, "big boys/girls brush their teeth.

Answer 8

Try brushing with a wet toothbrush, no toothpaste. Lots of kids don't like minty toothpaste. I finally found a strawberry toothpaste that my daughter likes.

Offer him a deal. "After your teeth are clean you can pick out and extra book for bedtime, or pick your pajamas," or another suitable bribe.

Answer 9

let him brush you teeth once hes brushing them tell him to open up so you can brush his....if he refuses then shut ur mouth and don't let him brush yours. he'll eventually open his mouth so he can get to yours...works for me

also since they like to do it theirselves soo much i dont let em have the tooth brush untill i go over their teeth first they almost always let me brush a bit just so they can

Answer 10

Let him brush his own teeth!