Do you "make" your kids brush their teeth? - Page 6

[BethSLP]

OK, I just have to chime in here.

WHEN did anyone who said it was "non-negotiable" say they didn't try basic parenting techniques and compassionate strategies first???

To me its ASSUMED that we are all loving parents or we wouldn't be on this board. I don't know ANY parent who enjoys forcing a kid to do anything for the thrill of the battle.

The carseat analogy is a good one. Brushing teeth is WAY less traumatic than getting cavities filled, and its good health and hygiene plain and simple.

I feel like this thread started with a few people talking about how insignficant/not essential brushing is and that they let it slide if the kid doesn't want to do it. Then when the majority of posters chimed in that its very important to health, all of the sudden, the first posters turned it around and said that their kids DO brush their teeth, but they just don't beat them to a pulp to get it done.

The fact of the matter is, ALL parents (aside from psychos) want their children to be happy AND healthy. And we all tend to prefer the path of least resistance to meet that goal. But we are not going to shirk our job as parent and ignore hygiene and health, because we don't want to clash with our kiddo. In my case, DD doesn't love brushing but she has learned its not negotiable. She doesn't protest it for the most part, and we quickly get it done. I have a strong notion that if I had made it optional, it would be a major battle every night. Just a guess....

I find all the discussion about diet to be off topic, unless it is a suggestion for people who have cavity issues. I would think your first line of defense would be brushing and flossing. After that, if there is a serious cavity issue, then maybe dietary changes are a next resort. But they aren't really pertinent to the initial question asked by the OP.

XOXO
B

[rmzbm]

There are few things I *make* my kids do. Brushing is one of them. I NEVER brushed my teeth as a kid, ever. Noone *made* me. I never had a cavity until my 20's, then woah! They started rotting out right and left. I wouldn't wish that pain on my worst enemy, let alone my children. I require brushing once a day, before bed. (Though if they wanna brush more, lol, that's ok! Sometimes they do.) If they want to stop when they are older, ok. Then when their teeth hurt they can blame themselves. But I vow they will NEVER say "My mother never made me brush and that's why I hurt so much now!" Ain't gunn'a happen.

[karina5]

Originally Posted by queenjane

Well i try to stay out of these threads, as they are so mind boggling to me....but it was late and i was weak! Maybe not "shocked" but "saddened and dismayed" ?

:


Katherine

queenjane, I don't think anyone here holds an organic gun to their child's head. Why don't you be "saddeneed and dismayed" over real abuse, and not blow a gasket over those of us who "make" our 3 year old do something for their health.

[karina5]

Originally Posted by UUMom

There is a vast middle ground between never brushing one's teeth to sitting on someone's torso & shoving a toothbrush into their screaming, protesting mouth.

LOL. Ya think? I thought there were only those 2 choices.

[LotusBirthMama]

Originally Posted by karina5

queenjane, I don't think anyone here holds an organic gun to their child's head. Why don't you be "saddeneed and dismayed" over real abuse, and not blow a gasket over those of us who "make" our 3 year old do something for their health.

You don't hold an organic gun to their heads? Crud. Here I have been going about my reign of terror the wrong way.

And, OT, I do not permit stank breath and furry teeth in my house. That means a minimum of 2 brushings a day, sometimes more in DS1's case.

And as a kid I literally ate sugar by the spoonfuls and never, ever brushed and had nary a cavity until I 26. So, I think its more genetics than diet, but then again, I'm also not into the WAPF line of thinking.

[sdmomma]

Just wanted to add that I am extremely diligent about brushing my teeth (2 -3 times a day), and it is very rare for me to not floss everyday. I also think I have a pretty healthy diet - and I still get cavities (more than my friends and family do). My dentist said that genetics plays a large role (how thick and porous the enamel is). Also I read somewhere that a certain percentage of the population has been inoculated with a bacteria that tends to cause more decay - hence trying not to share food/salvia with your baby (of course easier said than done).

I just really wouldn't want people to think that just because I get cavities I am eating Hostess cupcakes and drinking Mountain Dew all day.

We also have mandatory, twice a day teeth brushing. If my DD follows after me, I shudder to think how many cavities she would have if she didn't brush regularly.

[dharmamama]

I was just at the dentist (holistic dentist) this evening getting two old fillings replaced.

I told him about this conversation.

He laughed and said, "Don't believe everything you read on the internet."

dm

[nalo]

I have distinct memories of hating to brush my teeth as a kid and my dad brushing them for me as I pouted. My teeth were always brushed twice a day and I intend to do the same with my DD. IMO it is a vital part of overall health and a non-negotiable thing. I eventually learned to do it myself and take good care of my teeth today. There are some things that kids just need to learn are "must do's" whether they like it or not.

[Mallory]

I do think brushing and flossing is important and for the most part we do it twice a day (well we usually only floss in the morning). For my oldest and youngest it hasn't been a problem. But my middle child has always been more of a push the limits, see what happens if I do this kind of kid.

I found the best way to get him to brush with out a fight was to sometimes not let him brush his teeth. "Oh man you spent so long complaining and dragging your feet, there isn't time to brush your teeth tonight, now it is time for bed." When he was about 4 or 5, he probably got sent to bed without being allowed to brush his teeth once every month or so. It is kind of funny listening to your kid complaing about not being allowed to brush

[FoxintheSnow]

My issue is that ds wants to eat the toothpaste. He thinks it tastes good and I have to have long discussions about why we can't eat toothpaste. I don't have to force him to try to brush but I do have to force him to do a good job. We try to get them brushed everyday but sometimes if we're out really late and he's really sleepy I let it go.

[danforth3]

My ds is made to brush his teeth every day. Most of the time he does it willingly enough but some days no. As for eating the toothpaste, they sell some that are safe for kids who will eat it (mine doesn't eat it). It is made by Oral B.

[treemom2]

I have horrible teeth; tons of cavities, crowns, missing teeth, etc. . . My parents never made me brush my teeth, so I rarely did it until I got around kissing age. Now I am adament about my children brushing their teeth. I help them brush every morning and every night. They also brush their teeth at school (all children are required to bring a toothbrush to school to brush after lunch). I'm so scared they are going to have teeth like mine. DD has already had two small fillings. I do think we probably eat too much sugar in our house, we are trying to remedy this. However, right now, they must brush!!! We've found that our children prefer the electric toothbrushes with characters on them and they like the Tom's Silly Strawberry without flouride. Also the Raffi song, Brush your Teeth, has worked wonderfully in our house to encourage brushing!!

[Hoopin' Mama]

Originally Posted by ~Purity♥Lake~

I have to MAKE them put the brush away cause they love brushing their teeth too much.

Oh, quit bragging

[Hoopin' Mama]

Originally Posted by EFmom

Basic hygiene is non-negotiable in our house.

Yup,

I don't know why people are envisioning us holding down, prying his mouth open, and shoving a toothbrush in. It's more like, it's time to brush let's head to the bathroom and work it out. For a long time I had a lot of success pretending I was finding animals in his mouth while I helped him brush. He thought it was hysterical and called his mouth "the farm".

[Needle in the Hay]

Originally Posted by Hoopin' Mama

Yup,

I don't know why people are envisioning us holding down, prying his mouth open, and shoving a toothbrush in.

Because that's what some people do (screaming was mentioned in this thread as was "it's either hold them down to brush or hold them down in the dentist chair").

What you do (working it out, pretending there are animals, etc) is not what I'd call forcing a child to brush. That's helping and making it fun, which is what I do. I also let him use swallowable toothpaste when he'd rather just sit in bed and brush.

[columbusmomma]

I find that when my DS doesn't want to brush(too tired is the only time he says no)I say "ok if you don't want to brush and you think that's ok to not have clean teeth, then that's your choice"and then leave the room he almost always says, ok, I'll do it! When he's resisting I don't push the issue and he always responds better to any type of badgering(of course I've done that too with repeated oral health lectures, blah-blah,blah, that don't work).

[~PurityLake~]

Reverse psychology.
I've used that for some things. Such as when Abigail wants water in her orange cup specifically, I give her exactly that, and she still throws a fit. I say, okay, I guess you don't want water then, and begin to put it away, and she comes running back for it ant will then take it and drink it.

[LionessMom]

i just read the op and i have to say i dont "make" mine brush their teeth either. they do use flouride toothpaste (except the baby) and they floss and use that listerine smart rinse for kids. they do it at least twice a day. they like to. they dont like having dirty teeth. they dont always use the rinse (oh well) but they like flossing. DSD who is 5 says her gums itch and she will go brush. the baby follows them in there and climbs up on the stool. her sisters will give her her toothbrush with a little water on it and she will chew on it. when her sisters spit out the toothpaste she will spit too. it is too cute.
the only one i am worried about is DS who is 12 and hates to brush. he has had a cavity before so i try to make it that it is his job to help the girls put the toothpaste on their toothbrushes (so they dont use too much). that helps with him. he also likes to watch the baby spit in the sink. he says it is funny.