Please help me brush my 2 year old's teeth.

This was never a fun time in our house but for the past month it has become IMPOSSIBLE to get my 2 yr old's teeth brushed (he just turned 2 a month ago). I think it started with two of his molars breaking through but, now they are pretty much out there so I don't know what the problem is. He clamps his mouth shut or spits and won't even let the toothbrush in. And, I'm even willing to let him do it himself since it is better than nothing but, now, he won't even brush his teeth himself - he will just lick the toothbrush or suck on it and won't go anywhere near his teeth with the brush (this wasn't the case before). I have no idea what to do b/c I literally CANNOT brush his teeth! Please help BTDT mommies!

Re: Please help me brush my 2 year old's teeth.

My DS used to clench his lips together and I couldn't even pry him open to get the toothbrush in there.

Then I bought a Thomas toothbrush that plays the Thomas theme song for 2 mins (the length they should be brushing) and simultaneously started playing a game with him. I would get REALLY excited and tell him that I could see what he ate for dinner in his mouth and I had to "get it".

ie:
Oh my goodness, I see some cucumbers, I have to get them

I would repeat this with everything I could think of that he put in his mouth and even ask him "what else did you have today"

He found this hysterical and exciting and fun. Now he opens wide for me and about half way though, he looks at me and says "Jack do" and takes the toothbrush from me and brushes/"gets" whatever food I hadn't gotten to yet. Believe it or not, now he asks for Thomas brush.

I hope this translated well....FM if you have any questions and GL

Re: Please help me brush my 2 year old's teeth.

Posted by Little-J-Mommy

My DS used to clench his lips together and I couldn't even pry him open to get the toothbrush in there.

Then I bought a Thomas toothbrush that plays the Thomas theme song for 2 mins (the length they should be brushing) and simultaneously started playing a game with him. I would get REALLY excited and tell him that I could see what he ate for dinner in his mouth and I had to "get it".

ie:
Oh my goodness, I see some cucumbers, I have to get them

I would repeat this with everything I could think of that he put in his mouth and even ask him "what else did you have today"

He found this hysterical and exciting and fun. Now he opens wide for me and about half way though, he looks at me and says "Jack do" and takes the toothbrush from me and brushes/"gets" whatever food I hadn't gotten to yet. Believe it or not, now he asks for Thomas brush.

I hope this translated well....FM if you have any questions and GL

Re: Please help me brush my 2 year old's teeth.

DS bites the toothbrush and struggles, so it's hard to get it in there and move it around. I started lying him down across my lap (on the floor) and for some reason, his mouth would pop open, he wouldn't bite and it was much easier. I also sang "On Top of Spaghetti" and he seemed to like that.

More recently, we bought him a child's electric toothbrush, and he LOVES it. You can give that a try also.

Re: Please help me brush my 2 year old's teeth.

Posted by itsbabytime

Posted by Little-J-Mommy

My DS used to clench his lips together and I couldn't even pry him open to get the toothbrush in there.

Then I bought a Thomas toothbrush that plays the Thomas theme song for 2 mins (the length they should be brushing) and simultaneously started playing a game with him. I would get REALLY excited and tell him that I could see what he ate for dinner in his mouth and I had to "get it".

ie:
Oh my goodness, I see some cucumbers, I have to get them

I would repeat this with everything I could think of that he put in his mouth and even ask him "what else did you have today"

He found this hysterical and exciting and fun. Now he opens wide for me and about half way though, he looks at me and says "Jack do" and takes the toothbrush from me and brushes/"gets" whatever food I hadn't gotten to yet. Believe it or not, now he asks for Thomas brush.

I hope this translated well....FM if you have any questions and GL

Thank you SOOOOO much! My DS LOVES Thomas! Please tell me where you got this toothbrush I think it may save me much much angst. And, I like the game idea - maybe with the Thomas "gimmick" I can work in the game....Thanks so much again!

Re: Please help me brush my 2 year old's teeth.

.DS def gives us a hard time but more b/c he wants to do (but obviously he cant brush that good so we need to finish after he has his "turn"). We found making up silly songs helps I also like the electric toothbrush idea and may try that too

Re: Please help me brush my 2 year old's teeth.

I found the toothbrush at both Waldbaums and CVS. Let me know if you can't find it, I'll pick it up for you