Teeth brushing

My 18MO HATES having his teeth brushed. I have been trying with both a finger brush and a baby toothbrush since he was 6 MOS with barely any improvements -- he squirms and screams and even bites if my fingers get too close to his mouth!


Lately, I have noticed that he is getting little black flecks on his teeth. This can be removed by scraping gently with my nail, but with all his struggling, this rarely happens.


Does anyone have any suggestions for how to encourage bubs to brush? I also think it's time to visit a pediatric dentist, and would love to hear some good recommendations. Obviously, I am looking for someone with a gentle manner who won't scare my boy off dentists for life.


Happy New Year and thanks as always!

We went through this. In most cases it just takes a bit of manipulation and lots of parent patience.


In no particular order:

- Use a fun age-appropriate toothpaste. You'll find plenty of toddler toothpastes with Disney stuff on and so forth. Fun! Let him choose one at the store. Don't balk if your boy wants the pink one with Ariel, Jasmine and Belle. ;)

- Allow your son to choose his own toothbrush among the toddler ones. Remember, only soft or ultra soft.

- Make brushing teeth part of the daily routine. Once after breakfast and once after dinner. Go to the bathroom together. No toys or stalling. Eventually even the most obstinate kid will want to get through the experience if it means going back to playing.

- Don't try to brush teeth just before bed when he is tired and cranky.

- Take your time and be gentle physically. Don't get angry or he'll associate brushing with your anger. Don't lock the jaw open or anything like that.

- While gentle physically, be firm behaviorally. Promise that yes, he can watch Little Einsteins (or whatever), but only after brushing teeth. But he has to brush his teeth.

- Don't try to "surprise" put the brush in his mouth. Make sure you get his "consent" no matter how long it takes.

- Allow your son to choose which parent brushes. I have even had success with guests brushing. That was soooo much fun apparently when mum and dad wouldn't do.

- Do everything you can to make him see brushing as a fun experience. This can take a while.

- The first few times, you can only do a few short brushes. Build up to the full monty.

- Show the faces you make when you brush your teeth and encourage him to do the same.

- For some reason my daughter likes her tongue brushed. I let her have this "treat" as long as she lets me do all the teeth first.

- Start with the sides and finish with the front while making a silly noise with clenched jaws and a big, wide grin. "Thsththtthttthhhhhhhh".

- Allow him to choose where he stands or sits. Our daughter is currently in a "stand in the shower stall" phase. This followed the "stand on the toilet seat" phase and the "stand on the stool in front of the sink" phase.

- Take your time.

- Encourage looking up at the ceiling and saying "aaaaaaah". Maybe a little song is in order? Fun!

- Don't despair and don't show your frustration. That just fuels his resistance.

- Take your time. No stress or pressure.

- Let him try to brush your teeth first. My mother in law got around our daughter's resistance by making it a fun game. First our daughter brushed her, then she brushed her daughter. Back and forth.

- Let him try to squeeze some toothpaste on the brush. Fun!

- Did I mention you should take your time?



As for the dentist, according to ours kids don't need to see one until they are 4 or 5.

axptguy38 - Thank you so much for your wonderful tips! Will take my little one to the supermarket this afternoon to choose a new toothbrush and have some fun with the games you suggested.

Hey, maybe you could have a "toothbrushing party" at playgroup with some of his friends :)