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Babies: 9 - 12 Months
bridetobe6808
member
Brushing Teeth ... How the heck?
bridetobe6808
member
Is my LO the only one that refuses to have her teeth brushed? She hates it. I let her play with the brush, washcloth, finger brush, etc..but she still turns into a ninja when she sees me coming at her. We've been trying since she was about 6 months, too!! What gives? What can I do so she'll open her mouth and let me do what I gots ta do!! And one of the bump Q and A's saying that you should take LO to the dentist by age 1...really? Yeah, I don't think baby girl would sit in a dentist chair much less let a dentist poke around in there.
Compromise and Balance are key. JH.
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Re: Brushing Teeth ... How the heck?
Compromise and Balance are key. JH.
I usually just let her play with the toothbrush. The way she chews on it, she's getting her 4 teeth at this point. When she's happy, I do a quick brush and then hand her back the toothbrush to keep playing.
Our dentist recommends that LO start sitting on their parents' laps at their parents' cleanings around 1 year - so not actually getting a cleaning, but getting familiar with the dentist office.
I use a piece of gauze wrapped around my finger. It works well. When DD started biting was when I moved over to a tooth brush. Her pediatric dentist told me to put two chairs facing each other. Have DH sit in one chair and me in the other. Have DH hold the child facing them in their lap - lean LO back so their head is in your lap and brush their teeth that way. DH can hold hands if need be. The dentist said that kids usually throw a fit for a week or two but they get over it and that is exactly what DD did. She doesn't mind getting her teeth brushed at all now.
FYI - the new recommendation is for LOs to see the dentist at 12 months. I didn't know this either until our insurance sent a flyer on the importance of kids oral hygiene.
DD2 loves the toothpaste so she holds her mouth open and lets me brush. DD1 still hates having her teeth brushed and I have to wrestle her everyday. I've tried different things, but it never improves. I won't be bringing either of my girls to the dentist until they are 3. At one they just brush the teeth and talk about dental hygiene.
my read shelf:
My dentist said that they like to see them around 2, but to bring them in with us for our appointments from the time they're 1 so that they can watch. They said if they see us getting cleanings and doing fine it makes it easier on them, and if they're doing well then they'll put them in the chair and pretend to look around their mouths if they want.
We introduced the toothbrush as a toy to play with while we get them in their PJs. They chew on both ends so they're used to it being in their mouth. Now H and I occasionally hold one while we brush our teeth and let them have their toothbrushes and they'll try to mimic us. Now that they're comfortable with it they usually let us give their teeth and gums a quick brush, but if they're fussy I'll pretend to brush one of my teeth with their toothbrush and then they'll let me brush theirs.
My guy is fabulous at brushing his teeth if we do it together. He loves to brush his teeth when I'm brushing mine.
If I try to get him to do it on his own, he wants nothing to do with it. Unless I put it in my mouth first then offer it to him. Monkey see, monkey do.