Teeth brushing

Millie1984 · January 2015

DS is 17 months old and its quite the adventure brushing his teeth. He actually kind of enjoys it, but he squirms all around and tries to grab the brush from me the whole time so he can do it himself. I've tried to give him his own tooth brush but he still wants to grab the one I'm using. I feel like I'm not cleaning his teeth as well as i should be as a result.

Any suggestions or tricks that have worked for you to make things easier?

Ruthie04 · January 2015

It was probably around that age that I stashed some toys in the cabinets/drawers that were only to be used during teeth brushing. They were so busy searching for toys and playing that they didn't really care what I was doing. Later on, we started doing songs that involved opening their mouths and making different noises for different parts of their mouth. I just made those up, but I think there are some good ones on YouTube.

JBDamonM · January 2015

I struggle with this as well and always worry about DDs teeth. I plan on taking her to the dentist within the next few months just to be sure they are ok. She actually was much better about it until I introduced toothpaste. Sigh.

Millie1984 · January 2015

JBDamonM said:

I struggle with this as well and always worry about DDs teeth. I plan on taking her to the dentist within the next few months just to be sure they are ok. She actually was much better about it until I introduced toothpaste. Sigh.

I know, i hear you. I worry too (and feel guilty). But we do the best we can and thats all we can do.

TJ1979 · January 2015

We let E brush her own teeth in the morning (with a quick once over by us as well) then we brush her teeth for her in the evening, in the bath tub. Our dentist said it was more important to get a good brush in the evening to get off all the junk from the day than it was to get a good morning brush. E loves her baths, so she is pretty amenable to letting us do whatever we want during a bath.

JBDamonM · January 2015

EmAzeem said:

I struggle with this as well and always worry about DDs teeth. I plan on taking her to the dentist within the next few months just to be sure they are ok. She actually was much better about it until I introduced toothpaste. Sigh.
Could it be the type of toothpaste she doesn't like? That was what happened exactly with us and when I switched brands he tolerated it more

Possibly - But really I think she's more freaked out by the concept of it.... What kind are you using? I tried the Oragel with Elmo on it. She is currently obsessed with Elmo - so maybe I will try again.... in the bath tub

@TJ1979 - how old was E when you took her to the dentist for the first time?

TJ1979 · January 2015

@JBDamonM She was 2. The first visit was just a get-to-know-you visit. She got to see the chair, and meet the dentist, and see the tools and things. He like barely stuck a finger in her mouth and looked at her teeth, but it was mostly just to get her comfortable with the setting. Then we went back later.

JBDamonM · January 2015

Thanks @TJ1979 - I am planning on making her an appointment when she turns 2 as well.

JBDamonM · January 2015

Thanks @EmAzeem! Maybe I will try that kind. I have just been brushing with water for now. I figure at least that gets the junk off....

Millie1984 · January 2015

Some great ideas- thanks ladies!

hugmonkey · January 2015

I let her brush her teeth herself after breakfast each morning. At bedtime, we sing a tooth brushing song and I cradle her in my arms like a baby while I brush them. For some reason, she lets me brush them when I do that. In the morning, she won't let me touch the toothbrush.

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