Help Brushing Toddler Teeth!

Ha! Good luck. I'm just happy with the few strokes I'm able to get in. Have you tried putting something in his hand for distraction while you get at least 2 or 3 good strokes in?
I usually give mine the toothpaste tube. He likes to take the cap off and put it back on. So while he's doing that, I'm able to get those top teeth. The bottom teeth are easy. Its the top ones that are hard!

Don't underestimate the power of Elmo (or Thomas, Bob, etc...) My son also hates his regular toothbrush, but one day he saw an Elmo toothbrush in the store when I was buying toothpaste and he begged for it. I usually don't give in to his store fits, but I took advantage of this one. Now he cries to brush his teeth several times a day! "Elmo Teeth!" He still isn't perfect at it, but he is much more cooperative and at least lets me get it in there and brush a little. The funny thing is that he doesn't even watch Elmo on TV, he just has the books and toys!

Hi S.,
Well, I have two suggestions. Here is the nice way: Take him to the store and let him pick out his own big boy electric toothbrush. Make a really big deal of this. Tell him how proud you are of how big he is getting. All that good stuff and then give him lots of praise when/if he brushes his own teeth. Then tell him you need to check if all the germies (what we say) are gone. That way you get a quick swipe to make sure everything has been cleaned and with the electric head, I feel that more gets brushed with less time. (I am not sure if a dentist would agree)

The second is for the more stubborn (and I have used both methods at one time or another with both of my children). Tell him he is going to have his teeth brushed whether he likes it or not and it can be easy or hard. His choice. If he still refuses, then simply shove (gently, but firmly) the brush in and start brushing anything you can reach. He may cry, but that way you can reach those back teeth. He may clamp down, but that way you get the front teeth and sides. Either way, you let him know you are serious and that his teeth are going to be brushed. I only had to do this once with my girl and twice with my boy. I hated doing it that way, but all other methods failed.

I hope your child is less stubborn than mine, but if not, know they both happily brush their teeth now.
Good luck, A.

My daughter was less than thrilled with the whole tooth brushing process, too. My husband and I have electric toothbrushes which she thought was funny. I bought her one of the Spinbrushes with Tigger on it to help entice her. My husband and I also had to open our mouthes and say "ah" and sometimes I had to act like I was brushing my husbands teeth, too, to get her to open up. Thankfully, this isn't a public process as we look fairly silly, but it does work for us! Now she opens up much more readily, so it does get easier. :o) Good luck!

My 2 year old son is the same way. Two things work great with him: 1. Either buy him an electric toothbrush (for some reason since it has a motor and makes noise, he loves it), or 2. use a regular tooth brush and make the electric noise yourself. My son opens right up with both ways.

Hope this helps! Good luck!
Jacqueline

Hi, S.....this is going to sound pretty cheesey, but giving a choice is best. I have 27-month old twin boys and my husband is not there in the mornings when we are getting ready, so you could imagine the chaos! The choice I give is, "Do you want to brush your teeth in Mommy's sink, or do you want to brush your teeth on Mommy's bed?" Since they make the choice, they think it's their idea and they cooperate EVERY time! I do not deviate from the choice I give like when they flat out say No or they want to brush their teeth in sissey's sink, I reiterate the choice of "Do you want to brush you teeth in Mommy's sink or do you want to brush your teeth in Mommy's bed?" Same thing for changing diapers if you ever have that problem...choice on location! Makes for a less stressful situation for you! I have been in your shoes and learned this technique for my daughter too late in the game!!! Good luck to ya!