Brushing your toddler's teeth

DS is 14 months and just recently he now hates having his teeth brushed. It is seriously a chore now and takes two people, one to hold his hands down and the other to try to brush. He use to cry thus making it easier to brush since his mouth was open but now he cries with his mouht shut. Any suggestions to get his teeth brushed? Maybe a special toothbrush?

Re: Brushing your toddler's teeth

My DD never minded having her teeth brush, I think she actually kind of likes it. But anyway, maybe try letting him do it first. When my DD got her first tooth at 1 year old I use to give her the toothbrush first and pretend to put toothpaste on it and she would "brush" her own teeth. Then she would hand me the toothbrush and let me do it. She is 19 months old and for the past few months all I have to say now is "Time to brush your teeth" and she runs over, sits down, and opens her mouth. Try letting him do it first so he feels a little more in control of the situation and maybe it will be a little easier. He may think it's more fun than a chore if he's allowed to do it himself too! Good luck!

Re: Brushing your toddler's teeth

At 14 months....we just did whatever we could. As he got older and understood more we played games ...I would name everything he ate that day and tell him we had to brush it out (I see cheerios..let's brush them out).

Now I tell him to open up

Re: Brushing your toddler's teeth

I've heard that if you lay him with his head off the couch/changing table, his mouth will naturally fall open a little.

My 2 y/o likes to do everything himself so I let him brush his own teeth (suck the toothpast off the brush) then its mommy's turn.

I made up a little song (to row row row your boat)

Brush, brush brush your teeth
Brush your little teeth
Up and down and all around
You've got to get them clean



I actually do the dance part - up/down/around. He does too.

He likes toothbrushes - I got him a two pack. THinking I could save one...not the case. Now one is mine and one is his to brush his teeth with.

You might want to let him brush your teeth and then you brush his...that has been working with my son on a few things...blowing noses, wiping hands....

Re: Brushing your toddler's teeth

I brush her teeth while she's in the tub she's too buys enjoying her bath to mind...

Re: Brushing your toddler's teeth

i just let him "play" with it and fig the teeth are getting brushed while he plays with it in his mouth! and we only do it in the tub so he associates the whole cleaning thing

Re: Brushing your toddler's teeth

DD is 16 months, and doesn't really like to have her teeth brushed anymore, either.

I did get her a special spinbrush that has the Sesame characters on it...she likes the vibrations (I think it soothes her gums), but she doesn't like for me to take over and try to do it.

I think I'm going to pick up some toddler toothpaste today and see if that helps--we're still just using plain old water

Re: Brushing your toddler's teeth

i find that if i give her the toothbrush she enjoys brushing her own teeth but as soon as i try to do detail work, she fusses and arches her back.
i no longer try to intervene b.c i dont want her to have a negative association with it. right now, when i say its time to brush your teeth, she happily marches over to the bathroom.

when she fallls asleep in my arms i try remember to take a damp washclothe and wipe the upper and lower..
when she gets older i hope she does a better job!!

this morning she let my husband get in there and do a more thorough job though.. i guess it all depends..

Re: Brushing your toddler's teeth

I give them the toothbrushes and then sing them a song so I can really get in there. They love playing with them but aren't a fan of me doing it.