Any Ideas on How to Teach My Baby to Brush Her Teeth

well first, you shouldn't let a baby brush her own teeth, they actually don't have the dexterity to brush they're own teeth until about 7 or 8 years old. but my son was like this too, and I know it is a pain, they can be so stubborn about it. I made a big game out of it, and tried to get him into a good mood before even attempting it, and I told him a few times about the sugar bugs.. That if you don't brush them off they will eat his teeth at night time. Sounds a little rough when you think about it, but it didn't freak him out..Hope that helps. GOOD LUCK

I let my kids start playing with a toothbrush in the bathtub when they were 5-6mo old. They liked to chew on it when they were teething too. Just give it to her in the bath to play with and she might become interested enough to stick it in her mouth, but don't let her know that you want her too. If all else fails, you might try letting her brush your teeth with your toothbrush at the same time you brush hers (kinda tricky, but might be the only way) I wouldn't give her toothpaste on it when she is doing it, only when you are.

I have a two and a five year old. I started out just letting them chew on the tooth brush for a while so they would get to know the feel of it. Then slowly I added in the training tooth paste. Now I can't seem to get the tooth brushes away from them! Good Luck!

hello K.
i too had the same problem with my daughter who now two so i bought this tooth brush from wal-mart that plays music i like it so much she opens her mouth to brush we use little bear tooth paste it safe if she swoll it give it a try

Hi K., the main thing you need to remember, is brushing isn't an option, just like changing diapers, it has to be done. I work for a pediatric dentist, so I see a whole lot of "my kids won't let me" results. Before I worked for the dentist, I let my kids brush their own teeth, they had a few cavities over the years, not many by any means because I was alway having them brush their teeth. I started with having them brush during bath time, then every morning and evening. It was good dental habits persay. But I didn't help them. If I had, they wouldn't have had the few cavities they did end up with. Now I have a grandson, who hates having me help him, he's 2 now, so we battle every night. But its worth the fight. He also has a couple teeth that don't have the enamel they should, so all the more reason to help him. With being a parent, you'll learn to pick your battles, teeth are worth fighting over. I'd love to say it will get easier if you keep pushing, but for my stubborn headed grandson, we still battle, even though he brings me his toothbrush and toothpaste every night. I think he thinks he's supposed to yell. He also has breathing treatments each night, his lungs didn't develope when my daughter was pregnant, so that doesn't help matters either. Best of luck, don't give up, that little smile is counting on you to keep it healthy:)Sue

We started to give our son a toothbrush since he was about 8 or 9 months old. He would just chew on it at that time. Now that he is 2 years old he still likes to brush his teeth everyday (he mostly still chews on it- but the dentist said that is better than nothing). He will let me help him sometimes, but not all the time. I would maybe try to take her into the bathroom when you brush your teeth so she can watch you. Give her a toothbrush with nothing on it and maybe by watching you she will understand what she is suppose to do with it.

Well I would make a realy fun game out of it and also show her your self that mommy really likes it bursh your teeth and while your doing it laugh and giggle. this will probably make her want to try it. maby you both can do it together. also it is important to let her hold it while you have a carful eye on her maybe with her in her high chair or on your lap. let her get a feel for it in her mouth on her own she is miss independant mom.

My daughter is the same way. If I let her hold the toothbrush and use the finger brush then she will let me. I also make sure she sees the family brush and let her hold her brush while watching and it has made a big difference. I hope this helps!

For my one year old, I put a step stool down so she could reach the sink & see into the mirror. I bought those toothbrushes that flash (I use the firefly brand) which is really exciting for her and my 4 year old. She can reach the running water and just loves to wet the toothbrush, brush her teeth over and over. We usually have water all over when she's done, but I'll take it for an enthusiastic brusher. Hope this helps....good luck!

Her problem may not be that she does not like brush, but that her gums are sore from teething. Try giving her something cold to chew on before you brush her teeth so that her gums are numbed a little. Also, let her pick out the toothbrush, it will make her feel like its her's. You could also try having her "brush" a dolls teeth so she can get the idea of you brushing hers. Just remember that most kids do not have the dexterate to brush their own teeth until they are about five so you should make sure she is doing a great job of it. I know she is only 11 months, but keep it in mind for the future. I did not know it and thought my 2 year old was doing great, but when she went to the dentist for the first time she had 5 cavities. I fyou want to hear some of the advice my dentist gave me let me know.

I'm a speech pathologist and I often use a nuk brush with kids who don't like things in their mouth. It has a tip on it that has rubbery bristles all around it. I gave one to both of my kids prior to introducing toothbrushes. They loved to chew on it, then I could grab it every once and a while and rub their teeth with it. If she won't put it in her mouth, dip it in applesauce or something she likes and just pop it in her mouth. It's tough so she can chew on it. I would try that and then transition to a toothbrush. I haven't bought any in a while, but I used to get them at Target. They come in a boxed, three brush set by the pacifiers. It worked for my 2. Hopefully it will work with yours. Good luck!!!

I actually found this wonderful product from a magazine. They are called spiffies and they are tooth wipes that are flavored and you wrap them aroung your finger and rub it on his or her teeth cheeks and tongue. I have the ones that is grape flavored and my son oves them. Unfortunately they are only available from CVS pharmacy online item only. Its worth a try.

I used to let my son watch me brush my teeth and then I would ask him if he wanted me to "tickle his teeth" he would let me brush them quickly and then he would take over. He is now 17 months and loves to brush his teeth. He wants to "tickle his teeth" at least twice a day.

Regular toothpaste is both unneeded, and not wise. But, I found that by using the infant tooth polish stuff(basically lightly flavored gel), I was better able to get my son to cooperate. Just make your best effort, on any given day. And hopefully, between all the days of the week, you'll manage to keep them mostly clean until she gets used to it.

I wish I had advice- i have been brushing my 15 month olds teeth for months. I use a small childs toothbrush - I think she likes it... I confess that I dont do it every day- but I try to brush her teeth as often as I remember. she actually likes it.. no toothpaste yet. she often takes the toothbrush from me and does it herself. keep trying maybe she will get used to it.