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Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
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teeth brushing

meg_2006meg_2006 member
in Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
Lately brushing teeth has turned into a tantrum-riddled wrestling match.  When I got flavored toothpaste he loved it for a while, but now he clamps his mouth closed, whips his head around, screams and cries.  Sometimes he grabs for the toothbrush, so I thought maybe he wants to do it himself....but he just bites down on the brush and rips out the bristles.  I tried guiding his hand to do the brushing motion while he held on and more tantrum ensued.  I had my husband stand in front of us and brush his own teeth to show C how "big boys" do it.  No luck.

Any successful tips?  I don't want brushing his teeth to be such an unpleasant experience.

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Re: teeth brushing

  • DivallynDivallyn member
    No tips, sorry. We tried the elmo brushing video, electric toothbrush, new toothpaste. He has been fighting us hard every morning and night for months.
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  • CurlyQ284CurlyQ284 member
    I was just lurking for information on this same problem. I can get his front teeth but I can only brush them for 10-20 seconds. I can swipe his gums and that's it. He gets a late night bottle and a pedi dentist from another board told me to wipe his teeth with a cloth but he clamps shut and I have to pry his lips open and he starts freaking out. He has stinky breath and I don't know what to do.
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  • mb314mb314 member
    I brought an extra adult toothbrush into DS's bathroom, and brushed my teeth (with exaggerated motions) in front of DS for several nights.  It didn't take long for him to want to copy me, and he will try to brush his own teeth.  He obviously doesn't do the best brushing job, but it's better than nothing, which was about what we were doing before when he was fighting me when I wanted to brush his teeth for him.  And once he's brushing his own teeth, he'll often let me guide the brush to do a better job. 
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  • dcb101010dcb101010 member
    Hmm- I think I'm lucky because my son loves brushing his teeth. He watched me do it a lot before he got to try it himself (I used to hold him when I brushed my teeth- the joys of being a SAHM). Now we sing Raffi's song "Brush your teeth" and make the sounds while he brushes. I pick up the brush and tell him it's his toothbrush, then show him how I put the toothpaste on, then I demonstrate with Mommy's toothbrush and paste. As I start to sing Raffi's song, I bring the brush towards his mouth. He just loves the song so much that he goes with it. After a verse, I say "You do it" and he grabs the toothbrush and moves it all around in his mouth. So cute! If you don't know the song, Youtube "Raffi Brush your teeth." Good luck!
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  • dcb101010dcb101010 member
    edited October 2013
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dup3IArSNs
    Here is the song. Enjoy! I recommend letting your little one watch it a few times before using as an actual toothbrushing song. Incidentally, Raffi has helped me cut my son's nails and even cut his hair! He is so mesmerized by him :)
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