Brushing teeth battles

Connie - posted on 05/06/2010

We let our 2 year old pick out his toothbrush and toothpaste and we make a huge deal about how cool his toothbrush is. I always let him get his toothbrush ready by getting it wet and allowing me to put the toothpaste on. Then I let him 'brush' for a minute or so and then we is usually very willing to allow me to brush his teeth and I make sure to do a really good brushing on the days when he is really willing to allow me to do it, which I feel like makes up for the days where he puts up a fuss and I only get to do a mediocre job.

Helen - posted on 04/21/2010

I let my kids do it them selves under supervision, they all ways want to brush there teeth even in the middle of the day sometimes... I sometimes finish it off for them, to make sure its done properly.

Jennifer - posted on 03/22/2010

My 2 year old son used to HATE to brush his teeth. He'd fight me on it every time, even though I had several toothbrushes with his favorite characters, etc. He'd run screaming "NOooooo" down the hall if I even just turned on the sink water. I was really worried because I have terrible teeth, and my older son had 7 cavities by the time he first went to the dentist (I didn't know at the time how terrible fruit chews are for kids...). So a few months ago my 2 yr old was talking about bugs and how 'gross' they are. I can't remember why it came up, but we talked about how they go after crumbs, and anyway... that night after dinner I was brushing my teeth and showing him, and I said ' look, I'm getting rid of the bugs trying to get to the crumbs in my mouth'. Well, he grabbed his toothbrush and brushed his teeth like crazy! Maybe it wasn't really the best way to teach him, lol, but it worked. He never gave me a hard time again, and now every time he brushes his teeth, he finishes by saying, 'look, no more bugs, mama'. LOL....

Janice - posted on 03/22/2010

Hope this isnt to late What i do is put a little on my little ones brush, then brush as much as i can then leave her to play brush her own teeth it worked for me

Heather - posted on 03/09/2010

my son fights me every chance he gets about brushing his teeth it's been a long road but i think we finally figured out how to do it with out him struggling to much... he watches all of us brush our teeth first and then we give him his electric tooth brush and our tooth brush and let him brush his own teeth first then he lets one of us do it for him

Rachael - posted on 03/02/2010

hi there i have the same problem with my boy and he is 2 and 1/2 he used to let me do is teeth when he was younger but no now he wont let me do themi have so many things same as you did and it is still not working any ideas?

Jessica - posted on 02/20/2010

My daughter wants to do it with no help and she only chews on the bristles. Once the water is off the brush she is finished. Hope you find something that works. I've tried several of these with no success but I'll keep trying to I find what works I guess. Going to the dentest monday if she gives any advice I post.

Jenny - posted on 02/17/2010

I got my kids electric toothbrushes for Christmas (Dora and Spiderman) they love them and ask for the "TICKLE BRUSHES" it's worth a shot :) good luck!

Shane - posted on 02/17/2010

My 1st son had really bad plaque build up and we had no choice but to hold him down and brush them thoroughly. The good news is that he brushes well now, and understands the importance of brushing to keep his teeth healthy, glad we didn't scar him! With my 2nd son I tell him that I see "sugar bugs" on his teeth and I have to kill them. He loves the whole of idea of getting the bad guys and this tactic works for his personality.

Leah - posted on 02/16/2010

I hear ya there..I have a hell of a time brushing Braxtons teeth as well..Im needing some pointers too! Lol

Melinda - posted on 02/13/2010

My son was the same we tried the songs and ticking and didnt work. The he came down with a cold and croaky voice and his Nan had said to him "you have a frog in your throat" to which he really thought there was a frog in there! so i told him if i brush his teeth it will get rid of the frog, now we have to keep brushing them so the frog doesnt come back. lol whatever works!

Ranju - posted on 02/10/2010

Hey even i am facing this problem and i have tried all ur stunts. Recently i discovered one way. I give her bath first....then i put her into the tub so tat she plays in the water. And while she plays in the tub....i start brushing her teeth. Also i tell her to get lots of bubbles from her brushing....so she does it happily. All this works for few days though!!!!!

Jasmin - posted on 02/09/2010

I also have a 2 year old girl. At first when i started brushing her teeth she didn't like it but then i just made up a song about brushing your teeth. Then if that don't work just start brushing your teeth with her and then see will see that if mommy is doing it, it must not be that bad!!!

Cherish - posted on 01/26/2010

I had the same problem with my 3 kids and I finally bought them all toothbrushes that sing when its in their mouth and they have to brush till the song goes off. It works great! Also try bubble gum mouthwash, (the kind they squeeze until the top fills up) they love that too!

Samantha - posted on 01/26/2010

my daughter absolutely loves her teeth brushed. I started with a tiny little brushed that clean baby's gums. Then when she was 18months I started brushing her teeth. I brush her teeth first to make sure there clean and then I brush her tongue. She gets her turn to brush her teeth and I sing a song "brush brush brush brush, every tooth no need to rush, brush them every night until their bright!" and I repeat that a few times and then the last song I tack on "And then you spit! and that's it!". If anyone watches the television Channel called Sprout then you know the song haha. Also its a part of my daughter's routine. At nap time and night time she goes to the bath and washes her hands then we brush our teeth and she gets a drink of water. It's best to make a routine out of it and try to make it fun for her. The routine will help her to expect what's coming.

Cherokee - posted on 01/23/2010

Let her do it and tell her that is she wont you will. Give her fun toothbrushes with fun toothpaste. Praise her when she does a good job and tell her that her teeth are pretty. Seek guidance with your diet.

Julie - posted on 01/20/2010

We have two toothbrushes going at a time. Like feeding time. Also the ones that play music. We sometimes just leave Liam in the bath with his toothbrush. A mirror really helps. Sounds bad I know and its not teethcleaning as you know it - but Liam likes chewing gum and copes well with it.

Miranda - posted on 01/18/2010

i brush his teeth first and tell him if he holds still then he can brush his teeth all by himself next. he loves to do things on his own but i want it done thoroughly so this works for us. i tried letting him do it his self first but then he just runs off when he is finished.

Kristina - posted on 01/13/2010

My son loves to brush his teeth. He brushes his teeth first while I brush mine. Then I brush his teeth. It seems to work !!!! He gets his tooth brush ready for me. Also tell her what the plan is ahead of time. I always have my son repeat the plan to me so that I know he understands.

Andrea - posted on 01/10/2010

we just went over this at school first dentist appointment should be at three but go if have cavities also a lil trick bye a tooth brush with her fav character and let her do it herself no she wont do it right but moniter her and let her walk around with toothbrush in mouth and let her chew on it a lil is better then nothing and i get the trade brushing thing does help and then slowly progress to bathroom and maybe shell get where she loves here teeth brushed but it takes time lucy loves a ariel toothbrush when she come home and walk with her toothbrush and once in a while i sneak a fruity flavored toothpaste on it and then i have have her spit its kinda cute but if this helps i hope so oh the kids toothpaste is safest for the last part

Christine - posted on 01/05/2010

What if you tried that mouth wash that turns your teeth blue and you can scrub it off...You could also let her brush first, and then you brush next (that is what we do)...my son wants to be bigger and this helps with it sometimes...