Knack to tooth brushing?

My 17mo is enthusiatic when I say its time to brush our teeth. We do it together and she sees me brushing up and down and side to side. However she just likes to bite or chew on the brush and when I try to intervene she clamps her mouth over the brush so I cant move it.


Any tips on how to get to her teeth to actually brush??


BTW she has 12 teeth.

We just took our toddler to Dr Jennie, the pediatric dentist... and we learned a lot!


1. It is easier to brush baby/toddler teeth when they are laying on their back

2. It is important to brush them properly

3. If the bottom teeth are really close together flossing is necessary too

4. No need to use toothpaste until they are much older (3) and can spit


Since we came back from Dr Jennie, we have been brushing his teeth after bathtime on the changing table... he is on his back, and gladly opens his mouth... then after, we let him play with the toothbrush.


I can't believe that none of the baby books talk about brushig teeth this way - it is soooo much easier and more effective and he seems to enjoy it more too.


She said we can start at 4 months with our youngest (who is almost 5 months).


She also told us that it is a few years before they can really brush their teeth well on their own.


Of course, the basics still apply at this age - DIET DIET DIET - no bottle, no juice, no sugar foods, etc...


We learned a lot from the visit, and will be sure we take him to the dentist regularly.


Hope this helps.

You could try using 2 brushes so when she clamps down on one you still have that gap to move the other brush around.