2 Year Old Staunchly Refuses to Brush Teeth

Sometime during the time my son was 2 he also went through a phase where he would not allow me to brush his teeth. I forced the issue which did make him cry (I told him he had to). This only lasted a little while. He turned 3 and we really don't have too much of an issue anymore. I still am the primary when it comes to brushing his teeth. I asked his dentist and they suggest I continue to be the primary one to brush his teeth to ensure it's done well.
It's probably time to think about going to a pediatric dentist and the one thing that really helped me get through this stage was to take him with me to the store to pick out a toothbrush he wanted. At the time it was a spin brush with a fire truck. We use battery opperated ones. The biggest issue with those is getting the ones that they can easily turn on. The fire truck he couldn't get on, but it did greatly improve brushing his teeth.

Good luck

Hi T.,

Sorry to tell you this but I agree with L. C. You are going to have to make him. This is what the doctor told me with my oldest child (now 14). If you don't there will be major dental problems in a few short years that could cause him prombems his whole life.
There are alot of kids (ask a pediatric dentist if you don't believe me) with rotting teeth because mom let suck on the bottle while falling to sleep, not brushing enough and whatever else.

Just to let you know there will be other times you need to "make" your children do something that they will not want to do (and you will feel bad at times). You are the parent and the adult, you are the one that suppose to knows best and do the right thing whether they like it or not, you can't let them run the show. In other words, don't be afraid of your children.

Hi T.,

I am just perusing Mamasource and came across your request. I don't know if your having any luck with brushing your son's teeth. My son is turning 2 next week. He gives me a hard time when it's time to brush but he does it. Here is what I do: I got him an Elmo tooth brush and every morning and every evening I tell him that he needs to brush his teeth and that Elmo wants to say good night or good morning. I also brush my teeth with him and show him how I brush every tooth. We also do the "brusha brusha brusha" song and dance while we brush. This seems to work just fine most of the time. When it doesn't I have to force him to let me brush. Of course he kicks and screams. But most of the time he is good. Let me know how it's going with your son. :)
Best of luck,
K.

I just have to hold my 2 year old down and brush her teeth while she's screaming. I did this with my 4 year old when he was little and now he'll let me sit and brush his teeth for 10 minutes if i wanted to. I have been in the dental field for 17 years and i have seen so many parents not brush their childrens teeth because the child "wouldn't let them" and I can tell you your child will pay for it in the long run with difficult dental visits and possibly pain if you just let him decide when he's ready. Good luck!!!