My 1 year old doesn't like having her teeth brushed, any tips?

[NinaUk]

Hello,

My 1 year hold really resists a toothbrush, I am lucky if she even opens her mouth for me. I have tried making it into a game, I give her her own toothbrush too, I ask her kindly if she would mind opening her mouth so mummy can brush her toothiepegs but I'm not sure what else to do short of forcing the toothbrush into her mouth which I wouldn't be comfortable doing, also I'm not sure how much brushing I would be able to do anyway... Any tips from more experienced mamas? I am worried about her 7 little teeth!

[GoBecGo]

My dd hated it at that age too.

Some nights i froced it (because a good brushing a few times a week was better than never), sometimes i managed to get her to let me by having her brush MY teeth as i brushed hers, sometimes i just gave her a bit of cheese to eat at bedtime (dentist told me this has a protective effect).  She is now 4, happily brushes (with help) twice a day and has no decay whatsoever.  So remember this is likely to be a phase and you guys will get through it.

[tzs]

mine hates it mainly because she wants to do it herself. not a little bit by herself...but ALL herself. she won't let me do it if we alternate turns, she won't let me do it if i give her her own brush. she won't let me help her manipulate the brush while she holds it. i even tried getting yummy toothpaste. she likes it but won't let me brush...it has to be her.

what has helped is just ditching the brush and wrapping some gauze around my finger and wiping while letting her hold her toothbrush. she still screams but i can get more done in shorter bursts so it's not like i'm holding her down screaming anymore.

[Quinalla]

Taking turns with the brush works pretty well for us, but sometimes I just use a washcloth and wipe down her one tooth. Since she only has one, I don't worry about it too much, but I try to either wipe/brush at night or at least have her drink some water after her last solid foods to help get rid gunk off her tooth.