Brushing Teeth Dilemma

FlMarriedCpl · December 2013

Ok. I tried going thru a few pages here but couldn't find a thread on this. I even did a search but for some reason what i was looking for didn't come up so I apologize if this is a redundant question.

What the hell do all you Mom's and Pop's do to get your kid to brush their teeth or atleast let you do it. Right now our 16 month old is just down right 'against' us brushing her teeth. For a long long time when she started getting teeth we used the soft rubber fingertip one and had no problem. Yes occasionally she would fight us but we tried to sing songs and be playful for her to let us do it.

Then we moved on to the extra soft 'regular' brush and for a little bit here she was letting us. Now...no freaking way. She kicks, screams, pretty much breaks down and cries. I have read some about people actually holding and wrestling their kid down, prying their mouth open to brush. I don't think we are even anywhere near that moment.

Currently I decided to try to get her to see me do it, but of course she wants to use MY brush and not hers...even if i give it to her to play with. If I give her mine, after rinsing, she'll put it in her mouth and move it around but not really 'brush'.

Me and my SO just need some advice...or some tricks....

vrj0522 · December 2013

DS was a lot like this so we still use the finger brush most of the time. He doesn't like the real brush and I would much rather have him brush with the finger brush than not at all. I'm sure at some point he'll be fine moving to a real brush but that isn't today.

Usually what we do is switch off. I'll let him brush for a few seconds and then I take over and brush and then give the brush back to him. It works most of the time although some days he doesn't want to brush at all and I just make him. He has teeth stains from iron drops we were giving him and I want to make sure those go away, so we make sure to brush morning and night and if he is willing, sometimes I'll just hand him the toothbrush to brush in the middle of the day.

I would just say to keep trying. If she likes your brush maybe get her one like it and use both of her brushes to get it done. Maybe she holds one and you hold the other one and switch off brushing her teeth.

zbeesma86 · December 2013

It's hard to brush DD's teeth too! After her bath while I'm drying her off on the bed- I'll hand her her toothbrush and let her 'brush' her teeth while I get her PJs on and brush her hair- then I say 'my turn!' and I brush- she is currently teething- her bottom gums are super puffy and I can see teeth RIGHT about to pop through so I am extra gentle on those areas-- but she HATES it. She fights me the entire time- I sing. I tickle. I let her hold my phone (which is rare). Let her have the TV remote. NOTHING. She screams and shakes her head- I am just trying to get her used to it and will keep it up every night.

When she sees me brushing my teeth she she points and says, 'bush (her version of brush)' so I try to show her that it doesn't hurt and that everyone does it. I think it is just something new for them to get used to.

mb314 · December 2013

I started by brushing my teeth very animatedly in front of DS. The first couple of times when I said "now you try with your brush", he would take his brush and try to brush my teeth. But he got the hang of it after about a week. I bought him an Elmo brush because he really likes Elmo, and that helped. Now when I saw in the bath "Let's brush our teeth with our Elmo brush," he knows the bath is over. He spends a lot of time biting the brush, but I can usually maneuver it so that he teeth get at least a cursory brushing.

magentawarped · December 2013

I have two toothbrushes for DD. I but just a teeny bit of toothpaste on one, and the right amount on the other. I give her the one with very little paste and let her brush. I used to then sneak my brush in while she was playing with it, but we've gotten to the point where she will brush first, then I will ask if I can help, and she'll let me finish it off.

fusionbride · December 2013

kids need parental assistance for until they are at least 6 years old-- they don't have the manual dexterity to do it thoroughly themselves until at least that age.

i sing while I do it, and alternate having her look at me, or look at herself in the mirror. She doesn't love it, but she's getting more tolerant with more practice.

You can also try using toothpaste, either with or without fluoride (depending on your dentist's recommendation for your kid). Just a tiny dot (like a grain of rice), until they are 2 years old, then a pea-sized dot.

desertmouse39 · December 2013

I"ve had better luck with a spin brush for my 18 month old. She likes to do it herself and I think she usually does an OK job. She usually asks to brush 2 or 3 times a day and sometimes I can get in a few brushes with her, but I figure mostly she's getting the hang of it and not hating the routine (like she did with a regular toothbrush) so as she gets a bit older and her teeth stop cutting, we'll improve. She also seems to be fond of the Tom's of Maine fluoride-free toothpaste, which helps. I think it's apple flavor.

janinekrause · December 2013

I don't do it- honestly. She is almost 2 and "brushes" her own teeth. Loves to try and do it, and right now, I just want her excited about it. She does like the spin brush one.

I would personally back off for a week or so, buy a new exciting toothbrush, and try again. Kids change by the day and what she hates today she may love tomorrow.

I am not worried at all. Have had many talks with the dentist my 5 year old goes to, and he said to not worry so much about it- just get them used to it.

blushingbride_08 · December 2013

My son had his 1st cavity at 1 year old so I'm very thorough with brushing now. Before I would let him do it himself. I actually took an idea I saw at the dentist office when he had his cavity filled. They use a straight jacket during the procedure. Well I wrap my son in a towel from the shoulders down so he can't move his arms. We use an electric toothbrush, sing songs and I take about 30 secs. I hate doing it this way but it is the only way he will stay still and dh is not home to help. Cavities are no joke.

sunnyday016 · December 2013

I usually have to sit on him (not put my weight on him). This isn't a negotiable point for me. His teeth must be brushed.I first try getting him to open nicely and say ahhhh, let him have a turn, but we rarely get them truly brushed that way.

I really disagree with the poster who said to back off. LOs can get cavities very early on, just like anyone else. If they have teeth, they need to be brushed.

sailorjuno · December 2013

when your child is that young, i don't think brushing the teeth is that important. her baby teeth are all going to fall out anyway. plus the fluoride in the toothpaste can actually lower a child's IQ. when your child starts getting adult teeth in, that's the time brushing is important. i plan on teaching my kid that they won't get any sweets/desserts unless they brush.

laurelita42 · December 2013

sailorjuno said:

when your child is that young, i don't think brushing the teeth is that important. her baby teeth are all going to fall out anyway. plus the fluoride in the toothpaste can actually lower a child's IQ. when your child starts getting adult teeth in, that's the time brushing is important. i plan on teaching my kid that they won't get any sweets/desserts unless they brush.

Wait, what? If a child gets a cavity at 1 year old, they have to suck it up until the tooth falls out in 5-8 years? No way. Bad argument. Bad everything in that statement. The time to learn good brushing habits is when they are young, not when they are a preteen and all their adult teeth make it 'worth it'.

Regarding fluoride, most 'infant' toothpaste is not fluoridated anyway.

Meery82 · December 2013

sailorjuno said:

when your child is that young, i don't think brushing the teeth is that important. her baby teeth are all going to fall out anyway. plus the fluoride in the toothpaste can actually lower a child's IQ. when your child starts getting adult teeth in, that's the time brushing is important. i plan on teaching my kid that they won't get any sweets/desserts unless they brush.

No. Seriously? Not only is it about basic hygiene, it's about teaching them good habits. And the fluoride/low IQ statement is just asinine. Who's ass did you pull that out of? @-)

OP, DS is usually good about letting me brush his teeth, but it still can be difficult. I usually brush them, then give him the toothbrush to try it himself. We use Jack N Jill organic toothpaste.

laurelita42 · December 2013

Meery82 said:

No. Seriously? Not only is it about basic hygiene, it's about teaching them good habits. And the fluoride/low IQ statement is just asinine. Who's ass did you pull that out of? @-)\

I believe she's referencing a study from a Dr. Mercola (and I hate to call him that) published at the beginning of this year. He tried to tell everyone that he found a link between the fluoride in toothpaste/water and low IQ scores in children using very suspect research. Dr. Mercola also sells a huge line of products (including many products with which the FDA took issue) and worse, perpetuates the "vaccines cause autism" myth here, on his own website along with lots of other horrible misinformation.

Fear monger and hack, IMO.

Meery82 · December 2013

laurelita42 said:

Meery82 said:

No. Seriously? Not only is it about basic hygiene, it's about teaching them good habits. And the fluoride/low IQ statement is just asinine. Who's ass did you pull that out of? @-)\

I believe she's referencing a study from a Dr. Mercola (and I hate to call him that) published at the beginning of this year. He tried to tell everyone that he found a link between the fluoride in toothpaste/water and low IQ scores in children using very suspect research. Dr. Mercola also sells a huge line of products (including many products with which the FDA took issue) and worse, perpetuates the "vaccines cause autism" myth here, on his own website along with lots of other horrible misinformation.

Fear monger and hack, IMO.

Oh, Jesus. I agree. Sounds like an idiot.

Zoey1309 · December 2013

I find it's easiest to brush my son's teeth after meals while he's still in his high chair. Sometimes I have to use a book or the iPad to distract him long enough to get all his teeth clean.

Meery82 · December 2013

DS has been resisting lately. I've had to lay him on my bed and brush them like that. He usually starts smiling or laughing, so that helps me get them brushed better.

funchicken · December 2013

sailorjuno said:

when your child is that young, i don't think brushing the teeth is that important. her baby teeth are all going to fall out anyway. plus the fluoride in the toothpaste can actually lower a child's IQ. when your child starts getting adult teeth in, that's the time brushing is important. i plan on teaching my kid that they won't get any sweets/desserts unless they brush.

This is asinine. Some of their "baby teeth" don't fall out until they're around 12 years old. Teeth brushing is important, and it's worth holding them down if that's the only way to get the job done. When DD2 fought it I would sing a song and randomly brush something like the tip of her nose or her cheek to get her to laugh and open her mouth--that usually worked.

janinekrause · December 2013

I can't imagine holding my kid down to brush their teeth. My 5 year old is great-- morning and night and does a good job. We worked our way up to it starting around 2 1/2-3- before that she just played.

as for my comment about backing off- I said to let it go for a week- not for good. Sometimes kids just need a few days and then are ok again.

funchicken · December 2013

janinekrause said:

I can't imagine holding my kid down to brush their teeth. My 5 year old is great-- morning and night and does a good job. We worked our way up to it starting around 2 1/2-3- before that she just played.
as for my comment about backing off- I said to let it go for a week- not for good. Sometimes kids just need a few days and then are ok again.

I was just responding to the person who said it's not important because baby teeth are going to fall out anyway. Most kids keep their two year molars until middle school or later, so it is important to take care of them.

janinekrause · December 2013

mrszee2b said:

janinekrause said:

I can't imagine holding my kid down to brush their teeth. My 5 year old is great-- morning and night and does a good job. We worked our way up to it starting around 2 1/2-3- before that she just played.
as for my comment about backing off- I said to let it go for a week- not for good. Sometimes kids just need a few days and then are ok again.

I was just responding to the person who said it's not important because baby teeth are going to fall out anyway. Most kids keep their two year molars until middle school or later, so it is important to take care of them.

Sorry! Misread it.

ExcitedMum2B · December 2013

When did you all start using infant toothpaste?

jess9802 · December 2013

I agree that cavities are not a joke. Some children, despite a healthy low-sugar diet, will develop cavities (my niece had issues with enamel formation in utero and so had a lot of dental work before her permanent teeth came in), and so prevention is important. We struggle with regular brushing for reasons I won't get into - it's something we're working on. I make sure DS gets vitamin drops with fluoride and at his 18 month checkup he got a fluoride varnish which has been shown to reduce the risk of cavities in baby teeth.

Baby teeth are important - they affect speech, your child's self-image, and most importantly, cavities are painful and fillings are not pleasant.

Meery82 · December 2013

When did you all start using infant toothpaste?

I think somewhere between 12 and 15 months. Not positive.

Jessica+Penny · December 2013

I am one of those evil mothers who holds my kid down and brushes her teeth. She cries for the 30 seconds or so while I brush them and goes back to normal when I'm done. I hope I'm not causing any long term damage!! (jk)

Also, some people do not have adult teeth under all their baby teeth. I still have 2 molars on my bottom jaw that are baby teeth. I take care of them like nobody's business because I know they will eventually fall out and I'll have to get implants. So brush your kid's teeth and don't let them rot out!

Meery82 · December 2013

Jessica+Penny said:

I am one of those evil mothers who holds my kid down and brushes her teeth. She cries for the 30 seconds or so while I brush them and goes back to normal when I'm done. I hope I'm not causing any long term damage!! (jk)

Also, some people do not have adult teeth under all their baby teeth. I still have 2 molars on my bottom jaw that are baby teeth. I take care of them like nobody's business because I know they will eventually fall out and I'll have to get implants. So brush your kid's teeth and don't let them rot out!

Exactly. My kid gets more pissed off when I hold him down to change his diaper, but no one is going to tell me not to do that. Teeth are just as important.

arlissa · December 2013

So glad to read all these comments. My DD hates brushing teeth too. And I've tried all the "tricks" -- sometimes we switch back and forth between the silicone finger brush and the "real" tooth brush according to the day and both our moods, but she still cries most of the time and I hate that part of our day. Ugh.

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