brushing teeth

bub reached 20 months recently and i have been trying to get him used to the idea of brushing his teeth but he just wouldn't open his mouth when he sees his brush in my hands.


he actively holds my brush and moves it around my mouth when i'm brushing though.


any tips pls? cheers!

You are starting a bit late. Anyway, moving on.


You're already letting him brush you, which is good.


We found that a little song helped. Just a silly ditty or something. "Brush your teeth, brush your teeth, blabla". Brushing should be fun!


Go to the supermarket and let him choose which brush he wants, and which toothpaste (within age-appropriate limits of course). He needs to feel ownership of the process.


Let him chew on the brush for a while. Let him taste the toothpaste. Get him used to the paraphernalia for a day or two so it doesn't intimidate him.


Use the time-old classic "TOMORROW we will brush your teeth". Gives him time to get used to the idea.


Start with just a couple of brushes. No need to do all the teeth properly the first time.

well, i did try to brush his teeth since he was a baby but he is one of those babies who does not put things in his mouth. even when introducing new food, we had to kind of gently force it into him - he would taste it and if he liked it then he would open up his mouth for the second round. very hard to please! lol


helper does not initiate things like that with him (even if i tell her daily) and me trying that with him only on weekends (i'm a working mum) do not help to get him into a routine. anyway, i'll sing a song and let him get used to his brush and toothpaste.


cheers for your reply.

My daughter was the same.


Then one day, maybe she was around 2 years old... I introduced the electric toothbrush (again). This time, she happily used it and even opened her mouth to let me do it too. I was so surprised, having tried many times previously to brush her teeth.


Maybe you can find some cartoon videos on youtube to show him, about brushing teeth. And of course always brush your teeth in front of him. I usually brush my teeth at the same time with my daughter so we always do it together.


Just keep persisting and one day he should do it!