He acts like it hurts when I brush his teeth. I got him a battery powered spongebob toothbrush so it would get them cleaner in a shorter amt of time, but he acts like it's causing him pain.. any ideas?
2007-10-24 03:29:20 · 10 answers · asked by ... 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Oh, how I can relate to you. My 27 mo. old is a vice and screams! I have to hold her like a baby and usually only get the top or the bottom done, not both.
Your son may have an oral sensory delay and is fearful of the toothbrush. For now, I'd just use some training paste on your finger and try to do it that way or just let him gnaw on the toothbrush for awhile with training paste on it. This is what my occupational therapist suggested to me. Good Luck!
2007-10-24 03:51:38 · answer #1 · answered by Mom of One in Wisconsin 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try a soft child's toothbrush with NO extra features like power. The goal is to get him to brush LONGER, not shorter, amounts of time because he's NOT going to be 'efficient' at it when he first starts out.
Brushing the teeth takes patience. Each set of surfaces must be given attention for 1-2 minutes, so take your time and let the toothbrush do the work, do not press down at all. Extreme gentleness and a slight circular motion are the most effective, because the small child usually doesn't have hard, old plaque and tartar deposits.
These tasks should be fun; they are not to be rushed through, but are intimate times you spend with your little one.
Good luck; hope this helps!
2007-10-24 11:08:17 · answer #2 · answered by nora22000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is important to try to attempt to get any plaque off of babies teeth. Not so important to use a toothbrush. Just get a soft wash cloth and rub it over his teeth. Let him hold the toothbrush and if he makes an attemp to immitate you, that is great. Right now, training him to brush....taking him with you when you brush and handing him his own toothbrush with childrens SAFE toothpaste on it, is the most important. I had a finger brush for my son until he was old enough to want to do it on his own. He will be 2 in Feb and whenever I go into the bathroom to brush, he follows and does the same.
13 months is really young to expect him to let you "tickle" his mouth... right?
2007-10-24 10:57:50 · answer #3 · answered by Michele J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son is 15 months old and loves to have his teeth brushed. In fact if we leave the bath room in the AM with out brushing them and then again after bath in the evening he throws a fit until they are brushed. we've brushed his teeth since 6 months..2 times a day so I think that has been a big help. Is the battery operated toothbrush his first one, if so change to a regular toddler toothbrush until he gets used to it. My son loves to hold the brush and we guide him. We sing our brushing the teeth song, and our ABC's to make it fun. And when we are done we "count" the teeth. Try to make it fun for your son!
2007-10-24 10:59:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all he probably does not like the whole idea of brushing his teeth. Secondly, he probably does not like the action and sound of the battery powered toothbrush. Thirdly, you may be a little too rough with the spinning toothbrush on his little gums.
2007-10-24 10:38:31 · answer #5 · answered by G.V. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my son did the same thing so i took him to the dentist. he never made a peep while the dentist cleaned his teeth and looked in his mouth and found nothing wrong with his gums or teeth. he just recently stopped whining when i brush his teeth. i let him brush his teeth after i get done so he can feel like he's helping, although all he does is suck the toothpaste off of the brush. my son is now 3.
2007-10-24 11:10:16 · answer #6 · answered by curiousin08 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How soft are the bristles on the brush ? Is this the only toothbrush he/she has used ? If so maybe you'll have to start him out on a manual soft bristle toothbrush till he gets comfortable handling it then introduce him to spongebob
2007-10-24 10:47:21 · answer #7 · answered by Vivian 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
try not to press his teeth so hard while brushing so he wouldn't run away from you. or maybe get another toothbrush and let him brush his teeth by himself so he wouldn't complain.
2007-10-24 10:34:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
and are you using kids toothpaste? pick one that he likes the flavor and has less fluoride (because kids probably swallow the toothpaste).
2007-10-24 10:49:40 · answer #9 · answered by csbiup 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe he has gingivitis. You should bring him to the dentist.
2007-10-24 10:32:35 · answer #10 · answered by Lenny L 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋