Brushing your Toddlers Teeth - tell me what you do
How long do you brush your toddlers teeth for? I know the 'two minute' rule is recommended, but my almost 2yo wont let me brush for more than about 30 seconds tops (thats a quick brush top and top two sides, then a quick brush bottom and the bottom two sides).
I've tried with or without toothpaste (he seems to prefer toothpaste) and has 16 teeth so there are plenty to brush, but am worried I am not brushing his teeth as thoroughly as is necessary.
Other than hold him down and force the toothbrush in his gob (which I have no intention of doing) not sure what is the best way to tackle this?
When I am brushing my teeth, he will take DHs electric toothbrush and brush with that until I take it off him (cos its kinda gross). I am thinking I either get an electric toothbrush for him (but leave the batteries out) and hope that he just imitates me in that way might get him to brush for longer. However I read that while their gums are still soft etc only a toothbrush designed for babies/toddlers is appropriate.
Any advice?
Also - at what point should you take them for their first dentist visit? DS has no issues with his teeth that I want to check, more thinking of a regular check up kinda thing.
you can get little kids electric ones, not sure on the ages, but there is diffrent characters ect, if he uses daddys, he might use a special one just like daddys?
i ask my boys to let me check and make sure they got all the yuckies off, if they dont get the yuckies off then they go bad, sometimes they let me go over them again, better then nothing!
I've struggled with DS (3.5) and teeth brushing until recently. I make sure I give him TONNES of water after every meal, limit his juice intake ( to virtually zero.... it's a rare occasion he gets juice), and make him have water before bed everynight.
One thing I found to encourage the kids to use their tooth brushes was to let them brush their teeth in the bath. They seem to enjoy having their own freedom to do as they wish.
Honestly, as long as your little man isn't sleeping with a bottle, having tonnes of sugary drinks and foods and drinks plenty of water, a short sharp brush twice a day should do it.
It's all I've done with my 2 and DS had his first dentist visit today to which the dentist commented on what wonderful healthy teeth he had. I was worried I was going to get totally flamed as it can be such a struggle at times.
DD LOVES to brush her teeth and would do it 100 times a day if I let her (sometimes I do... not with toothpaste though).
I don't like the idea of holding them down as I feel it's a negative reinforcement and will prevent children from wanting to brush.
We let DS have toothpaste (the tiniest of tiny smears, unless he gets his hands on a tube...) but he has to rinse and spit (he's getting quite good at that). And I let him choose his own toothbrushes, which seems to work. At least till the novelty of having a wiggles or dora toothbrush wears off, then it's time for a new one.
I don't worry about how long or thoroughly we brush - anything is better than nothing and it's getting gradually better. Don't want to put him off it entirely.
DS1 I fight with to brush his teeth, 30 secs is about all I get here as well, I am also worried about his teeth nit being cleaned properly, he will happily walk around sucking on toothbrush and putting water on it a million times but if i try and brush with or without toothpaste he cracks it.
I have been told 1st dentist visit anytime after 2nd birthday (we still have not gone yet as i kmow I will need a check up to show him what to do and I am scared of dentist!)
Yeah we have teeth brushing issues here too. I find the only way to get it done is when we are both in the bath (I suppose he is captive then and can't really get away lol). So, unfortunately he only seems to get a really good brush once a day...and it is nowhere near 2 minutes! Toothpaste is a winner for us - he won't even let the toothbrush near his mouth without it.
Perhaps you can pop into your nearest health food store and consider buying some natural toothpaste? They come in really great flavours (strawberry, orange, pineapple etc.). Whilst they are a bit more expensive, you can safely use more of them (without worry about all the nasty chemicals in Colgate etc.) and he may prefer the nicer flavours?
To compensate for the scanty brushing, I always give our DS water after meals. He also sucks his thumb, which stimulates saliva production, which helps as well.
As for seeing the dentist, I actually saw a brochure in our dentist's waiting room encouraging all littlies to have a check up before they are 1 year old. Now I don't know how much this has to do with money - it does seem awfully young to me. Having said that, perhaps it has to do with them identifying any issues (like growth, angle of teeth etc.) that may need to be addressed earlier on? In all honesty, unless they tie him down, I think there is little or no chance that my 19 month old will be happy lying back in the chair, saying "aaaah" and letting the dentist have a good look!!!!
Brushing your Toddlers Teeth - tell me what you do
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks