14 m.o. won't let us brush his teeth ~please help! - Page 2

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by SeattleRain 

Not to hijack the thread, but how important is toothpaste to the tooth brushing regimen? Is it just to flavor the toothbrush to lure the kid into believing that tooth brushing is tasty or does it have an actual purpose? I have some kind of orajel toothpaste, maybe strawberry flavored, and Daniel doesn't even seem to like it. I wonder if it's really necessary, since it doesn't have flouride.

I don't believe toothpaste is necessary for anyone actually... DH & I stopped using it a couple years ago and our teeth now feel fresh-from-the-dentist clean every single day, and at our last visit, our dentist was AMAZED at how great our teeth are (we haven't told him our secret yet lol). We do occasionally use baking soda and/or xylitol if straight-up brushing doesn't do the trick. So I don't think it's necessary for toddlers at all (and I feel it can be harmful!), but that's just my anecdotal evidence there.

[whynot]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mommy 



I don't believe toothpaste is necessary for anyone actually... DH & I stopped using it a couple years ago and our teeth now feel fresh-from-the-dentist clean every single day, and at our last visit, our dentist was AMAZED at how great our teeth are (we haven't told him our secret yet lol). We do occasionally use baking soda and/or xylitol if straight-up brushing doesn't do the trick. So I don't think it's necessary for toddlers at all (and I feel it can be harmful!), but that's just my anecdotal evidence there.

I completely agree.

[AKA_PI]

To get my son to brush his teeth, I have put a stepstool at the sink for him to stand on and given him a toothbrush with his favorite characters. I made a toothbrushing song which goes: "This is how we brush our teeth (shish shish shish [we brush the front our teeth]); open wide and brush our teeth (ah ah ah ah [as we open our mouths wide and brush our teeth])." It sounds lame but it works. He loves the song and tries to sing along with me as he brushes. LOL 

Maybe you can a dvd of characters brushing their teeth and let him see it as he brushes his. I found that when I try to brush them, he fights me; when I let him do it, he enjoys it.

[Adaline'sMama]

Im having a really hard time getting DD to let me brush her teeth too. The only thing I have found that will work is if I brush my teeth and she is watching me. Then while I am still brushing my teeth, she will let DH brush her teeth. But, it doesnt work the other way around. And If I spit, rinse, or do anything other than brush, she gets upset and wants him to stop.

[rockdoctor]

We brush our DD's teeth every night and have since she got her first couple of teeth. DD brushes (or plays with her brush) while I brush my teeth. Once I am done I brush her teeth while DH holds her hands down and I hold her forehead up. We totally have to double team her. However, for perspective when my mother came to visit she said, " I never brushed any of my kid's teeth!", like it was totally weird to do. I never had cavity problems so I guess it isn't always necessary? Anyway, I guess after her comment, I still brush her teeth religiously  but if I don't get them "good" one or two nights in a row, I don't sweat it.

[cyclamen]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mommy 



I don't believe toothpaste is necessary for anyone actually... DH & I stopped using it a couple years ago and our teeth now feel fresh-from-the-dentist clean every single day, and at our last visit, our dentist was AMAZED at how great our teeth are (we haven't told him our secret yet lol). We do occasionally use baking soda and/or xylitol if straight-up brushing doesn't do the trick. So I don't think it's necessary for toddlers at all (and I feel it can be harmful!), but that's just my anecdotal evidence there.

I worked as a home health aid for a client who couldn't spit very well (or maybe not at all... it's been a while).  She did not use toothpaste to brush her teeth - dentist sanctified.  According to the D, brushing is what cleans. 

Anyhow, I don't use toothpaste on DD.  I used to use a wet rag until she began asking for the toothbrush.  We always count to ten, sometimes fast and sometimes slow depending on how cooperative she is being (ie, count faster when she's squirmy, slower when things are going well).  Her dad came up with that idea and it gets her through the minor discomfort a little better because she knows it will end at '10.'

[newmamalizzy]

DD (17 months) is good about the bottom teeth, but not the top.  She LOVES being upside down, so I prop one of my feet on the toilet, then say 1-2-3 Wheeee!! and dip her down backwards on to my leg.  She opens her mouth in glee; I aim for the top teeth for a few seconds, then bring her back up.  We repeat this 4 or 5 times.  Gets the job done.