I need help with brushing DD's teeth

Gilliebear · September 2012

So she has recently decided that she doesnt like me brushing her teeth. I've used a cloth, the beginers toothbrush and what not and she fights and pinches her mouth shut so I cant get in.

What a twit.

My concern is I saw plaque build up(or food?) between her front bottom two and I have the strong urge to have someone pin her down so I can pry her mouth open and scrub away.

Im trying at every meal here and am pretty close to losing my cool because I am HUGE on taking care of your teeth.

Any suggestions?

S-Tuna · September 2012

We bought DS an electric kids toothbrush. He doesn't like it turned on, but he doesn't mind having his teeth brushed when it is off. You could try that.

ExpatFamily06 · October 2012

I kinda just let him brush his teeth. He only has a few teeth, so I will initially give them a good scrub right as he tries to put the brush in his mouth, but he hates it. So, I let him 'play' with the brush. He watches his brother and me and his dad and he likes to mimic our movements. He likes to sort of chew on it. I just let him do his thing now. When his older brother was his age he did the same. Once he gets a bit older to understand brushing, then we'll have him sit to do it.

mrsemily08 · October 2012

we brush in the tub. everyone gets a toothbrush. i get one or two swipes at their teeth, and they "practice" brushing their own.

Monsieur_et_Madame_Ha · October 2012

DD really only wants to chew on her brush (I use a finger brush for her still). I manage to give her a few brushes, then I give her the brush and she happily gnaws on it. I think it feels good on her gums...

melissa0726 · October 2012

Like others mentioned, we incorporate brushing with bath time. I get my toothbrush, she gets hers, I sing and dance a little to get her giggling. While she is laughing, I dive in and take a few swipes at her teeth and gums. Then before she gets too mad, I hand her the toothbrush so she can try. I grab mine and brush my own, and she imitates what I do.

Oh, and one other thing, she LOVES her toothbrush...but I never let her play with it except for when it is time to brush teeth. It has retained its novelty this way, so she still gets excited when I get it out of the medicine cabinet.

My DD also had yellow build up on the two bottom teeth. It was there for at least a week, and brushing wasn't helping, so I was really worried it was some kind of tartar or plaque. But her pedi assured me it takes a really, really long time for plaque to build up, and it was most likely some kind of congealed food. Sure enough, it has mysteriously disappeared.

amywalt1684 · October 2012

We just let DD brush her own teeth and we make a big deal of it. When I brush my teeth she does hers. She obviously just chews on it and then when she is done I try to get a few good brushings in.

Gilliebear · October 2012

I usually brush her teeth then let her chew on it and then she is happy...when she is in control, I wonder where she gets it from. We brush after every meal, including the tub for her night time brushing. I will keep on trying...