Posted by
Kwis
20 yrs ago
My 16mo son used to enjoy 'brushing' (well, actually just gnawing on his toothbrush) --and would 'brush' after every meal, and right before bedtime after his nighttime bottle. Now that he has almost a full set of choppers, I can't afford not to brush his teeth properly, but he won't let us brush his teeth or even gnaw on his toothbrush anymore. We've had to resort to using the fingerbrush again and he doesn't like it and I get chomped on quite a bit. Any suggestions / tips you can share on how I can get his teeth properly cleaned without too much of a struggle? Thanks!
Please support our advertisers:
Kwis
20 yrs ago
Thanks, Ruth. I've been doing the explaining bit and have even bought a book that I always take out whenever it's brushing time. He loves going through the book and it does have pictures of people brushing and I've tried identifying them to him and telling him, "See, Daddy brushes; Mommy brushes, etc." He also sees us brushing and says "Ma brush / Daddy brush." Tried the mirror trick; he would not open his mouth or he'd just stick out his tongue and say "brush tongue." I will look for pictures of people with bad teeth (or no teeth!) to show him AND try the star chart idea, though. I really hope to get through somehow. I don't want him to have bad teeth! Thanks again!
Please support our advertisers:
My daughter loves the toothpaste that is banana/apple flavor, and I got her winnie-the-pooh toothbrush from Oral bee, and she loves brushing. Also be sure you are not brushing his teeth too hard .... if it hurts, they will remember forever and not like it.
Be sure to use drinkable water for them, they usually are not very good at spitting yet, don't like her swallowing tap water. The toothpaste is edible/safe to swallow too.
Please support our advertisers:
mrsl
20 yrs ago
Having the exact same problem. They sell Tommee Tippee 'musical' toothbrushes in Wellcome. So far, so good. Will have to come up with a new trick when the novelty wears off.
Please support our advertisers:
Kimmi
20 yrs ago
All kids go through this stage on and off through out childhood Im afraid. My 3 year old has started not wanting to brush again. But dont give in. Sometimes you just have to get them in a head lock and just do it cause as you said if you dont brush he will certainly get tooth decay very quickly. Brush twice a day after brekky then last thing at night. Use minty toothpaste only and dont start using yummy fruit flavours overwise you will have difficulty changing later on. Use 2 brushes if you have too, one to keep the mouth open and one to do the brushing, make it like a game if you have to. With my daughter we use catch the bugs in the mouth and we make out we see them and have to catch them sort of thing. GOOD LUCK
Please support our advertisers:
My son is also a naughty one when it comes to brushing, somehow he clamps his gums over his teeth and it is so difficult that I have resorted to an Oral B electric toothbrush. Ask your dentist to see if it is okay for your toddler to use one as this is the only thing that gets my son's teeth brushed!
good luck
Please support our advertisers:
Kwis
20 yrs ago
Thanks, all of you!
Kimmi --the bug idea is cute! Might try it. :-)
Boobear --I was thinking about that, as both my husband and I use the electric brushes and he's always pointing at us and saying 'Bwush!' when we brush our teeth, but when we bring out his (regular) toothbrush, he just swats it away!
Please support our advertisers:
miffy
20 yrs ago
Wise Kids sell really cute 'toothbrushing timers' which are little sand hour glasses that the kids turn over before they start brushing and brush until the sand runs out - make it a treat to turn the hourglass over, only allowed to do it when brushing teeth.
Please support our advertisers:
You must be logged in to be able to reply.
Login now
Copy Link
Facebook
Gmail
Mail