My son will NOT brush his teeth

wheelsonthebus · November 2011

My DS is just over 2.5. He's been stubborn from birth and it just continues! He will not let me brush his teeth. I've tried new, fun toothbrushes, paste, letting him try etc. We'll go into the bathroom and he'll clamp his mouth shut. Nothing works. It's been days. Anyone else go through this?

He is also going through a refusal to use the potty stage. He'll just go in his pants. Ahhhhh It never ends!

meldoo2002 · November 2011

Yeah it's called hold him down and do it. My kids don't love it... we go through stages. When it's something that needs to be done... like brushing teeth or taking medicine... I just make it happen. Sometimes through holding them down.

wheelsonthebus · November 2011

meldoo2002:
Yeah it's called hold him down and do it. My kids don't love it... we go through stages. When it's something that needs to be done... like brushing teeth or taking medicine... I just make it happen. Sometimes through holding them down.

This was my first instinct actually haha. But then DH was saying not to push it because it might make him afraid to brush his teeth ever again. However, I'm taking your side on this!

davis0905 · November 2011

DD hated it until about a month ago...now all of a sudden she kinda likes it or at least tolerates it. Sometimes when she would clamp her mouth shut, i would just use the gum brush because she didn't mind that as much...if you try that, you just have to be careful because he can bite down on your finger as you're brushing and it hurts like HELL! But at least we were getting some brushing done. Also you can try a wet washcloth and wiping his teeth. He might not feel so threatened by that method. GL!

NewFamily09 · November 2011

We went through a stage like that and luckily when DS eventually cried, he opened his mouth wide open and I shoved the toothbrush in there. That was when we was maybe 1 1/2. By 2 1/2, he shouldn't be doing that. I would tell him that he needs to be a big boy and if he won't let you do it then you and your DH need to pin him down. He'll hate that, but it's the only choice. Some people I know have tried sticker charts and stuff like that.

iteachk · November 2011

I tell funny/silly/spooky stories while I brush my LO's teeth. But I only tell it if she is cooperating. Or sometimes, I say, "I'm thinking of an animal that lives in a zoo, starts with a z, and has stripes" or something similar. She loves the stories and guessing games and forgets that she hates having her teeth brushed.

If she's not cooperating at bedtime, she doesn't get a story before bedtime.

And, if she absolutely refuses to cooperate, I hold her down. Brushing teeth is absolutely non-negotiable in this house.

LoveEeyore · November 2011

Yeah, in my house there is little that is NOT up for negotiation. They make decisions about when/what they eat (they don't actually know that I'm strict and there's a world of crap out there)/dress/play, you name it- I'm just along for the ride. But there are a few non-negotiables- basic hygiene, safety (I'll let them take a bonk here or there, but serious safety), and kindness- hands, feet and words.

My first was very chill about it. The twins have always fought it and so it goes like this- every morning we don't exit the house until everyone's brushed, and bedtime I generally still have to manhandle both my 2 yr olds.

Kristine Schilling · November 2011

another case of "Guess I am lucky" because my toddler asks to brush her teeth. Our 2x daily routine is her brushing her teeth while i brush her hair, me finishing her teeth and then she gets her multivitamin. (which she loooooves, and it takes 2 in order to meet the daily needs, hense 1 in am and 1 in pm.)

Random thought, should I be delighted or concerned that she enjoys taking medicine on the rare occation she needs it? hmmmm.

chloephoebecali · November 2011

She goes in and out of being willing to let us brush. She tells DH that it hurts, but never pulls that with me (everything "hurts" these days). I tell her I want to tickle her teeth, and it seems to work lately after I've let her do her own brushing a bit.

Scottymommy · November 2011

Did he see you brush your teeth? My son will brush his own while I brush mine. Maybe reverse psychology? Like "Mommy's brushing her teeth, but you don't have to." (Although sometimes that works, and other times...not so much, haha) We use the Oral B flouride free tootpaste.. he loves the flavors!

I usually have trouble with clipping DS toe nails- he freaks everytime and have to do it while he is sleeping!

KatieandMark06 · November 2011

Sometimes I have to pry DD's mouth open. She never brushes herself, I am the one too do it but it gets done so for now that's good enough.

bncmommy · November 2011

My DS likes to brush his own teeth so I always let him do it first. We were having a really hard time with him letting us do it until I read somewhere (maybe here) about the teeth monsters! So now I'll say, "Ooh, I see some goldfish (or whatever the last thing he ate was) monsters in there, let me get them. Oh look some are on top too. I gotta get those..." He loves it! Nervous kiddos might not like the monsters in their mouth idea but my DS thinks it's funny. I also let him help me brush my teeth. Now if only I could get DD to use toothpaste without gagging!

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