We start by brushing our own teeth and then I ask my DD to brush my teeth while I brush hers. It works most of the time, though occasionally she will want to continue brushing her own teeth. At those times I usually ask her if she can brush her teddy or dolly's teeth, while I brush hers and that seems to work too.
I took my DD to the dentist for the first time when she was 27 months, so just over two years old. The point of the visit was the familiarise her with going to the dentist not to check her teeth. She sat on my lap in the chair and she watched while my teeth were checked. Then the dentist asked if she could also look in DD's mouth but she didn't use any instruments. I then had to go back another time to get my teeth cleaned because the dentist didn't want to use any noisy equipment while my DD was there. We'll do the same thing in 6 months and then the next appointment my DD will be 3 and I think the dentist will try and get my DD in the chair by herself. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that my dentist is making it about familiarisation at the moment rather than actually checking her teeth.
i used to have trouble with DS, but now he loves it, the kids electric toothbrush worked wonders when he was going through the not wanting to brush stage, i had trouble STOPPING him brushing lol... now he just uses a normal one and brushes his teeth with me and for as long as i do, i try to make it a little routine
We have a song we sing for teeth brushing- which has a routine to it and would probably last about 2minutes (i didn't know there was a preferred brush time). We sing 'this is the way we brush our teeth, brush our teeth, brush our teeth, this is the way we brush our teeth before we go to bed/go and play (depends on time of day). I can't think what the original tune is- cause i've always used this tune with my lyrics to get alot of things done, eg washing hands, washing body in bath, washing hair, even changing nappy...everything i've needed it for...lol! It works 99% of the time. Actually it could be the 'Here we go round the mulberry bush' tune. I also always let them (both DS's- 16months and almost 3 year old) have a go at brushing themselves too- then its mummy's turn.
As for dentist visits- yet to do so here too. I checked with my dentist last year and he said there was no rush- i can't remember if he said an age- but DS1 was almost 2 at the time. I'm a big chicken when it comes to dentists- so I might have to get DH to take them.
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