Hi! I have a 17-month-old who REFUSES to brush his teeth. I started him off young (before he even had teeth!) so he would get used to it and he never had a problem until about 6 months ago. I try every night during his bedtime routine but he fights me and clamps his mouth shut so I can't even get the toothbrush in there! I don't want to push it and force it because I'm afraid that will make brushing his teeth a bad experience but I can't figure out any other way to enforce it. I've tried letting him do it himself, brushing my teeth while he's doing it so he knows what he's supposed to do, even signing and trying to make a game out of it. Nothing works! Any suggestions? Thanks!
I just want to say thank you to all of you moms out there who wrote suggestions on how to tackle my tooth-brushing issue or just to simply say "I've been there!" or "I know what you mean!" - It was nice to hear from all of you! I have stuck to it and I am happy to say that it's going much better! I bought my son a "cool" new Dr. Seuss toothbrush and some bubble gum toothpaste (he's not brushing with the toothpaste yet but we smear a thin layer to give it the flavor and it has worked wonders!) Now I make brushing his teeth part of his bedtime routine and he actually gleams with pride when we're all done! I praise him while he's cooperating and his smile just gets bigger and bigger which helps me get to all his teeth! I really appreciate all of your help, advice, and encouragement!
hi S.. unfortunately I can't give you advice but want you to know that I'm dealing with the exact same thing with my almost 18 month old. she's stubborn as a mule and does not give up the fight with the toothbrush--she likes to hold it and suck on it but is adamantly against it being used in any other way! if you get any suggestions please pass them on:)
Does it hurt him? Maybe his gums/teeth are sensitive? I would ask your pediatrician for advice, or a pediatric dentist.
Maybe you could try to reward him with something, like stickers or something.
I know that they make toothbrushes now that play music, that helps kids learn to brush. I don't know how young they start at, but maybe that'll work. Also, check amazon and see if they have any books, or DVDs about tooth brushing that could help too.
As a mother of a 2 year old and a wife of a dentist, you cannot bargain with a 17 month old about his teeth. If he wont open up hold him down and his crying will give you wide open mouthspace. It is MORE IMPORTANT TOO BRUSH THAN TO WORRY ABOUT BAD EXPIRENCE. Beides, my daughter enjoys brushing her teeth now and we had to pin her down twice a day and brush. When we were done we would let he brush our teeth and hers and when she was ready too walk around we took the toothbrush and put it away and gave lots of love and good girls. Trust me, it's worth the pain in the butt fight you will have twice a day for a couple months. Cavaties in children are 100% parent neglect. There is no such thing as soft teeth or any of those lies people have told too take responsibility off themselves. KUDOS to you for TRYING!! so many parents would rather shrug it off and let their kids teeth rot in their mouths because of their laziness. Cavaties are 100% preventable in every way.
I would ask your family dentist or pediatrician for suggestions. My daughter has always pushed her upper lip over her top teeth, and eventually they were turning yellow. I took her to the dentist, and we decided to just force it. Now that we've won the battle, she seems to not even care! She is trying to brush them. The thing is that every kid is so different...maybe your doctor has an idea.
I have a 2 1/2 year old who once in a while does the same thing. I have my child sit on my lap and lean back so I can see in his mouth. And then I usually have my older son or husband play peek a boo around the door or the Daddy's gonna get you game. He with out a doubt starts to laugh and I just brush his teeth the best I can while he laughs. Just keep trying, he will get the hang of it. Good Luck!
