[jingwen]

My 18 mos old ds absolutely refuses me to brush his teeth. I feel like such a bad mom, i let it go but my pediatrician said that he really needs to get it brushed.

I tried a few methods like giving him a toothbrush to play, or try to let him brush my teeth while i brush his or i tried a finger toothbrush and he still clamps his mouth shut and won't let me get inside.

I don't know if i should force it or do you have any other suggestions to encourage him to brush his teeth? Thanks..

 

[rsps]

sometimes it's easier if you have them lie down while you do it.

Maybe when he's lying in bed, he'd be more receptive.

It was real hard with my first son, too. We didn't really brush regularly till he was almost three. With my 2nd we started sooner, and having big brothers example helped. (but he's also gotten a cavity sooner too so I don't know how much the brushing really helped.)

 

[Ary99]

Have you tried an electric toothbrush? My 14 month old loves them. Also, have him brush a dolls teeth or a those of a stuffed animal. That might seem less threatening. Good luck! I haven't been consistent with this yet, so I'm hoping that it won't become a battle!

 

[rainsmom]

I have several "character" tooth brushes that my dd uses. They are pretty cheap and I let her pick them out so she feels she has some choice in the matter.

I dont give candy, but occasionally she will get a cookie, which she is only allowed to eat if she brushes her teeth after. So she usually complies.........

 

[Melaniee]

Have you tried giving him his toothbrush to hold while you (or daddy or anyone else he copies/admires) brushes their teeth. Make it look like lots of fun!

 

[StillForest]

We're in the same boat here. DD is now almost two and often clamps her teeth shut, thrashes her head, flails arms and kicks when I try to brush her teeth. She'll brush her own teeth or let me help every so often---but it continues to be a real struggle. She really loves to eat the toothpaste (non-fluoride).....

I've read through the dental archives at least a dozen times and have tried everything I could think of...but all to no avail. I'm hoping that things will shift as she gets older. I'm mostly trying to keep my efforts fun and friendly so that it doesn't become even more of an issue. She does love her colorful toothbrushes, our dental floss, her electric toothbrush (for brushing everything except teeth

: ) and my repertoire of toothbrushing songs.

Just wanted to sympathize. I'll let you know when something works. I too feel like an awful Mama with respect to this one issue. I watch her diet very carefully and continue trying to be creative on this.... I just don't feel as though forcing/overpowering her would be fruitful or even truly possible.

 

[sleepies]

i don't force anything on my son ... unless i HAVE to. I see this as a "have to" moment.

better to hold them down and brush their teeth than to hold them down as the dentist drills and fills later cavities.

i feel for you.

if it helps. mine hated toothbrushings ( i did like you and tried it all), but lately he seems to ......like it more.

only thing i did differently, is that now i count when we do it....

best of luck. hope it is just a phase.. but id do it against his will.

 

[Jessviola]

i guess we're pretty lucky because we have more trouble getting dd to give us back the toothbrush, but something that helps us get her to brush productively is that we call it 'tickling the teeth' and she thinks it's funny and does a great job. i've never pushed her to brush them because she usually nurses all night anyways. we also got her a pooh toothbrush and the toothpaste has a 'pooh bear' (all bears are pooh in this house

) on it so she's always asking for the 'pooh paste' :LOL