Brushing teeth... XP from FB

Andie_83

Is anyone else having a hard time brushing their LO's teeth? Zoey has all of her teeth (except 2 yr molars) and it's a daily fight to brush them! She used to be awesome about it, but lately I can't even get the toothbrush near her mouth.

I feel terrible, but the other morning, I pretty much forced it in her mouth, which was really stupid, I know Sometimes she'll take the brush and sort of brush the bottom front teeth but that's it. I've also tried using the wash cloth in the tub, which works sometimes too. What do I do? I feel like brushing her teeth is super important!

I've tried brushing mine too, but that still doesn't work. I swear I have the world's most headstrong child! LOL

lovebugkim

In the beginning I was able to brush their teeth & they would let me. But now it seems to tickle & they throw their heads back laughing or clench their mouth shut. At this point I just give them thier brushes & let them have at it while brushing my teeth both in the morning & at night. They seem to do a decent job & if I see them messing around I get down on their level & "show" them how I do it. They are pretty good with brushing & then when they see me washing mine off, they hand over theirs without a fuss.

nic5606

This is what the dentist told us at B's visit last week.  Try to brush 2 times a day. Do not force it, just let him have the brush and get used to it. Even if he does not really brush any teeth. She told me to try to brush them, but if he freaks, stop brushing.

She also told me to get a baby toothpaste with xylitol in it and apply to his teeth three times a day. No brush needed, I just use my finger and apply.  He has done well with this so far.

I also have a script for flouride drops since OR is stupid IMO and does not have it in the water.

JuneBug0611

We are not as good about this as I'd like to be, but I'll pass along the tip my dental hygienist told us.  Sit on a bed and lay them with their head between your legs and brush from that angle.  They can wriggle less, and you get good access.  This works pretty well for us.

We let her brush by herself for a while first to get used to it being in her mouth, then we lay her down and brush for her (to actually do a good job). 

Turtle143

Liv hates it too and we brush our teeth with her so as to model it but she bites the bristles and doesn't get it done. We just brush her teeth for her and yes she cries everytime but I tell her it needs to be done and it's not negotiable. I am banking on the fact that she understands more than I give her credit for.

I am just hoping she'll just get it one day and she won't fight it as much. I let her "brush" her own teeth right after I'm done. She calms down right away.

It's hard to see her cry but this is one of those things that imo just needs to be done one way or another.

Andie_83

Zoey used to be okay with taking the brush herself, even though she just got the bottom teeth, but now she won't even let me near her with the brush. The washcloth in the bath is even a fight, even though I'm able to do a better job with that. I will just try giving it back to her again and let her do her thing for a while before trying again I think. The only other option like PP said is to do it, even if she fights me. Ugh!

march2008

I brush my teeth first, with her watching. She points to her tooth brush now and I let her "brush" her teeth while I'm brushing mine. Then I tell her that mama needs to brush them now to make sure she got everything good (ha!) and I brush them myself. I usually do it while singing Itsy Bitsy Spider because she loves that song. Sometimes she cries and sometimes she doesn't.

I rather her cry for a few seconds while I'm brushing them than to risk her having to have cavities filled and/or teeth pulled because she's going to have her baby teeth for several years. I believe the pediatric dentist told us that she'll have some of these teeth until around 5th grade (?) and that he has many children in there getting teeth worked on at a very young age because their parents were not diligent about brushing their baby teeth.