How do I make teeth brushing fun for my two-year-old son? We are not yet in the habit of brushing is teeth. He won't let me brush his teeth. I let him chew on the brush, but he plays with it too. I did use a gum brush on him when he was an infant.
We aren't being very consistent with the brushing. When we brush his teeth he is laying on the changing table. He won't let us put the brush in his mouth. He cries. If we give him the brush he uses it on the changing table, wall what ever is near by. He sometimes puts it in his mouth. We haven't been using toothpaste. He and I stayed at my parents for two weeks over Christmas. My dad even had trouble getting him to brush. We even brushed our teeth in front of my son. It didn't work at the time.
I think we will be moving to the bathroom to brush from now on. We will try the cup and toothpaste.
K., all the other responses are very good, and just hang in there! My 20-month old went through 2 weeks of hating me trying to brush his teeth, when prior to that he was fine with it. After continuous trying, he now doesn't mind it. We practice saying "Ahhhh" and "Say Cheese" to get him to open his mouth. Best of luck and stay with it! :D
My daughter used to fight us when it came time to brush her teeth. Now after she's done we let her rinse and spit - give her one of her little cups with a little water - and she loves it. Sometimes she will get water all over her shirt but at least she's brushing her teeth. :)
Working Mom to a beautiful 2 (almost 3) year old girl!
I used to have problems getting my daughter's teeth brushed, but now she usually loves it. I let her pick out the toothbrush and toothpaste (there are so many kids options out there- sometimes just getting to pick the color or the character is fun for them). I let her brush first (have to remind her not to chew on it), and then I get my turn. I play a game with her where I chase the monsters out of her mouth. Now that she is older, she picks the colors of the monsters. I'll have fun with it and make them polka dot monsters, striped monsters, pink and purple monsters, etc. I pretend that they are running all over her mouth and I "get them". She has so much fun that she doesn't realize I'm getting her teeth clean! After she is done I always tell her how sparkly and pretty her teeth are. She's very proud to show them off. It is hard when they are 2 because it seems like nothing will get them to open up their mouth. I've also seen the light up toothbrushes, and I think I remember seeing ones that have music at Walmart. At that age you may want to try the electric toothbrush with the same games. Good luck, and welcome to MN!
Let him pick out his toothbrush and toothpaste. My daughter picked out an electric toothbrush, which works great because she usually doesn't brush that long. Also she loves to spit in the sink. She really doesn't spit, just makes the sound. Then I tell her how beautiful her teeth look. She started out chewing on the brush too, but after watching me for awhile she figured out what to do.
Sing songs! Barney (I know, can't stand him, but kids love the song...) has a song about never letting the water run. Or make one up. We sometimes do the following - Brush your teeth, brush your teeth. Everyday, everyday. Brush your teeth morning and night. Get your smile all shiny bright. Brush brush brush. Brush brush brush (to the tune of Frere Jacque (sp?) I have all girls and they love to sing like Ariel...Aahhh. Good luck!
Hi K., I have twin 2yr olds and two older children as well and when the girls started watching the older 2 brushing before bed we went to Walmart and found the toothbrushes that LIGHT UP!! Theres a rubber section at the bottom and you push it down against the counter and it blinks for one minute - I tell the girls that when its done blinking they're done as well....I usually have to make them blink 2-3 times before they'll really be done they love it. Sometimes they turn out the lights and watch them blink in the dark :) Walmart sells a 2 pack for under $2, perfect for my two yr olds!!
Good luck!!!
M.
Hi K.,
My daughter is now three but we still use the same routine now that we did a year ago. She got a "fun" toothbrush at the store and we bought toothpaste that doesn't have flouride in it since she can't spit very well yet (we like the Tom's of Maine in Strawberry but I know there are other options as well). She also has a little cup to use as well. She has her "turn" first and then when she is done, it's mom and dad's "turn" to brush her teeth. Good luck!
Welcome to Minnesota!
Always try to brush your teeth at the same time he's doing it. Make it a game -- "let's brush the top teeth, let's brush the bottom teeth, let's brush our tongues!" Play up the part of the process where he's encouraged to spit on purpose. He's a boy, he'll love that part. As a reward, look in the mirror together at your clean teeth and stick out your tongues. The sillier the better!
If you let them pick out the toothpaste you get them they get excited to use it. They make Little Bear, and Thomas toothpaste for little people. When we brush our teeth in front of our boys they try, and copy us. This is what we do with our boys, and they have been told by the dentist both times they have been there how great their teeth look.
