Help! Brushing teeth...

[MollysMummy]

Hi! I'm new to storknet, (or rather, I was a member over a year ago, before the fee, but I missed it too much!). I've never posted on this board, but I thought everybody here might be able to help me. My dd Molly is 21 months old. She used to LOVE having her teeth brushed, and now she hates it. She doesn't cry or scream, she just won't open her mouth!:) She had some new teeth coming in about 6 weeks ago, and I think I hurt them while I was brushing, and since then it's been a real struggle. I only brush with water, so I've tried using the kiddie tooth cleanser, but that hasn't really helped. Sometimes she's ok with me brushing all of her teeth except the front top ones.

I'm as gentle as I can be while I'm doing it, but what can I do?? I don't want to hold her down and force it, but I also don't want her teeth to rot!

[keem]

Can you try letting her brush her own teeth so she won't be scared of it anymore?
Try that and reward system for each successful brushing.

[Huntersmommy]

DS has been through stages with the brushing. Sometimes he likes it, other times he doesnt. Here's a weird thing that worked when he was going through one of the I don't like it phases. I sang to him while we brushed and made noises. That totally helped us make it fun. Getting a toothbrush that is special for them may help. Also making a huge deal out of it when they do it on their own and when they let you do it. We just recently switched to flouride toothpaste, and DS won't let me use his brush to brush his teeth. He has to do it now. I usually go in there after he's done and use the finger toothbrush to get at his teeth. And I try to use his toothbrush too.

I guess for me, toothbrushing is a big deal and I want him to know that it's something I won't negotiate on. Yes, sometimes we do a better job than others. But I don't let him not do it if that makes sense. There have been times when I've made him open his mouth. I try all of the other options first though. Having him look in the mirror while we brush. Making faces, that kind of thing. Just making it fun. There was a time when I did it in the bathtub too. That worked for awhile. I would use a clean washrug and do it while he was busy doing other things in the tub.

I don't like making him open his mouth when he doesn't want to, but I also know it's my job as a parent to make sure he's well taken care of and that means teeth too.

Oh yeah, one of the biggest things that helped us was letting him sit on the bathroom counter and making it a part of his routine at bedtime. We made a big deal out of brushing teeth and how fun it was. Now, it's ingrained in his routine.

Good luck. Some people have said those spinbrushes work well too.

Brenda

[MollysMummy]

Thanks guys! I think I'll take all advice given!:) I'm going to try to find a carebear toothbrush, because she loves them. And then I'll let her use that while I use the other one...in front of the mirror...singing...!:) Thanks!:)