Hey everyone.
My 16 month old DD puts up such a huge fight everytime I try to brush her teeth. I have introduced toothbrushing to her at 6 months when her first teeth came through, and she has just hated it this whole time.
I've tried different toothbrushes, different kiddie toothpaste, No toothpaste, brushing hers at the same time as I brush mine, letting her play with my toothbrush, singing songs, turning it in to a game, everything. She just hates it. I am paranoid that I am going to have a 2yo with huge cavities.
Does anyone have any tips? Does anyone have a toddler that enjoys their teeth being brushed??
DD is pretty good was fairly good with brushing her teeth anyway, but I did notice an increase in enthusiasm when we got the "Go Wild" Hi-5 DVD that has a song with different animals brushing teeth - short and catchy. I know you said you tried songs, but maybe something visual to relate to helps
The only other things I can say is that we definitely don't use toothpaste yet and that after I brush (or hold her hand to do it herself) I let her have the brush in the bath for a little while to brush her dolly's teeth.
I have not tried one myself, but there are brush heads you can fit over your finger that may or may not make a difference. Someone else may know? Good luck.
My DS hates it too. We just persevere. I do give his front teeth a wipe with the face washer but apart from that I allow him to chew on his toothbrush whenever he likes. The dentist said that was okay because the friction will be sort of cleaning his teeth. We go through a lot of toothbrushes. Every few days we will tackle him and hold him down for a good go.
Actually he did improve after going to the dentist for the first time and they gave him his own free toothbrush and toothpaste. He carried the toothbrush with him everywhere for a couple of days and chewed it up and after that there was an improvement. I too worry about the cavities...but we just do the best we can. He loooves the toothpaste (the Colgate one) which also helps. Wasn't too struck on Macleans.
DS has a colgate first toothbrush and he don't use toothpaste yet. He loves his teeth being brushed. With him we brushed our teeth in front of him or while holding him, and we get him to "help" brush our teeth. Doing it in front of the mirror, or with a tap or shower running may help.
tay loves brushing her teeth and actually asks to do it she points at the brush and wont let up till she does it.
i give her her tooth brush in teh bath as teh bath is the cleaning area. and that has helped i feel
DD hates it when I brush her teeth. However, I find that if she was holding her own toothbrush, she would actually try to brush it herself. That way is better than the fight which will create a stronger resentment later. I worry too that DD is not brushing her teeth properly. I asked my dentist and they said that it would be okay for her to brush them since she does put the toothbrush in her mouth trying to brush them herself. Of course, the brushing may not be the way we brush our teeth, but the friction will still help the teeth to get the cleaning.
Brushing toddler teeth... help!!
Reply With Quote
Every few days we will tackle him and hold him down for a good go.
Bookmarks