HOW do you get them to brush their teeth?

jenber77 · January 2011

Andrew won't brush his teeth, and he won't let me brush his teeth. When in desperation I try to wipe his teeth with a cloth, he bites my finger, hard. If I try to take control of his toothbrush, he freaks out, and I don't want to traumatize him and turn him against toothbrushing forever. Now that I put toddler toothpaste on it, he's eager to put it in his mouth, but he's just sucking on it. I've tried to make it a game, I've tried brushing my teeth at the same time to demonstrate (but then he just wants to steal my toothbrush and gets mad when I won't let him), I've tried singing the "brush your teeth" song... I don't know what else to do!

cjsbdl · January 2011

I just hold him down and brush them. He hates it, but he gets rewarded at the end by getting to "brush" them himself. Sometimes it takes both DH and me to get it done, but I'm figuring eventually he'll get over it.

BetchySprout · January 2011

Someone on another board recommended trying an electric toothbrush. I bought the Thomas the Train one at Walmart (About $6). Toothbrushing battles are over in our house. I brush his teeth and he is very excited, does everything I ask (shows me his front teeth, open wide, etc.) and then at the end I give him the brush let him run it under the water and brush himself. He absolutely loves it. We had horrible battles with the regular toothbrush from the start. I use the Burts Bees berry flavored flouride-free toothpaste since he doesn't really get "spitting" yet.

GypsyEsq · January 2011

We let DD sit on the vanity and watch herself. She loves looking at herself LOL. We do also let her suck on the toothbrush. And let her basically brush whenever she wants. I hate brushing my teeth, it gags me, even now. DH on the other hand is a brush after every meal type of guy. Neither of us have cavities or bad teeth so we're hoping that DD either has my teeth or DH's teeth hygiene habits. So as a result she gets to brush whenever and however she wants.

Magoy · January 2011

Practice, practice, practice. Like the PP, I just hold her down and do it. Actually, I put her on my lap and lean her back in the bend of my elbow (so w/ my body left arm I'm able to trap both her arms) and somehow I'm able to hold her legs back w/ my other arm and brush w/ my right hand. And we go quick. Then when we're done she gets to brush.

We've always had a battle, sometimes it's worse than others. Right now she'll let me do it without too much of a fight. Next week, who knows? But, it's one of those non-negotiable tasks in our house.

jenber77 · January 2011

Thanks, ladies.

I can't see how it would be possible to force it without hurting him. He clamps his mouth shut, sticks out his tongue, thrashes his head from side to side. Sometimes I've been able to sneak in a get a few quick swipes while he's screaming, but I'm afraid of hurting his mouth with the brush.

I think I'll try the electric toothbrush idea.

schmoodle · January 2011

Two man job. At bedtime, right before his last story, DH holds his arms and I pry his mouth open and try to get the brush in for a swipe or two before he clamps down. And we don't even do it every night, it's not worth the fight. He does, however, LOVE playing with and chewing on my toothbrush. Good times.

howleyshell · January 2011

Check out the "fire fly" brand of tooth brush.

It flashes.

The kids DIG turning out the lights (night light on) and brushing with it to see it flicker.

It blinks for 1 minute - that's their time to brush.

Once it stops it's "mommy's turn"

Novelty.

Apart from that? There was a phase where it was a matter of holding them down and forcing it for both of them. We're a non-negotiable family when it comes to brushing.

It passes!

GL!!!

mmcarlson1 · January 2011

We use 2 toothbrushes. E uses one to brush or suck on and I use the other one to actually brush his teeth. He knows how to brush himself just by watching me, but isn't that great at it yet.

nicolita14w · January 2011

jenber77:
Thanks, ladies.
I can't see how it would be possible to force it without hurting him. He clamps his mouth shut, sticks out his tongue, thrashes his head from side to side. Sometimes I've been able to sneak in a get a few quick swipes while he's screaming, but I'm afraid of hurting his mouth with the brush.
I think I'll try the electric toothbrush idea.

We have the same situation here. And he is afraid of things that buzz so an electric toothbrush is not going to cut it. I don't know what to do.

christiney06 · January 2011

howleyshell:
Apart from that? There was a phase where it was a matter of holding them down and forcing it for both of them. We're a non-negotiable family when it comes to brushing.
I

ditto.

yes, it seems mean to hold them down and "force" it, but toddlers can not effectively brush their own teeth. sucking on the toothbrush does nothing and I do not want his baby teeth to rot out of his head. I have had to pinch his nose shut to open his mouth but at least it gets the job done. I am hoping this phase ends soon b/c it does really suck.

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