How do I start brushing my toddlers teeth?
There are lots of strategies out there. Seeing you brush is important, but it sounds like you’re already doing that. I bought my son two toothbrushes so he could choose which one he wanted each time we brushed. I also let him brush his own teeth for a minute before I take over. I’m not sure why that works, but he’s much happier when I let him do it himself, even for a few seconds. Maybe if you let your daughter play with her toothbrush for awhile she’ll get used to the feeling of it in her mouth and struggle less. At my house, we make funny sounds when we brush (“aaaaah, eeeeee, ooooh”) in order to get all sides of the teeth. I’ve also heard of a mom that puts on an Elmo mask to distract her daughter. Pretty much try anything that works, and eventually she’ll get the hang of it.
Well, you have to be a good mother and take care of her teeth even if it is a bad experience. My son is in preschool with perfect teeth (bragging rights). I feel so sorry for this gorgeous little dark haired, dark eyed girl in his class. She is Baby Gap model perfect. Then she smiles……these horrible grey teeth. I have sat on my child. He is four and we brush, floss and mouth wash. Get those gentle floss sticks, that is next. She’ll respect you and appreciate you one day for her beautiful healthy white teeth or hate your guts for letting her down. Suck it up and be the mean mommy if you have to!!! On a lighter note….I use to let him do it first so he felt part of it. I buy tons of new toothbrushes and toothpaste that he picks out. We read books on kids brushing their teeth. I have him look in the mirror and look at his beautiful teeth. I compliment him and remind him why he has them.
I always let my boys brush their own teeth for a while before I say “Oh, can mommy help?” Then it is something they have control over. They may not be doing the best job, but it’s better than nothing. I never made them let me do it, and after a few times of saying no they would let me. It is just a new feeling and sometimes, especially if they are teething, a painful one. Another trick I use is when I am rinsing their hair in the bathtub, I would drain all the water, tell them to lay down, and do it then. With the water running as a distraction and them on their backs, it is harder for them to squirm away, plus I can easily get the top and bottom teeth. Then we rinse our hair and get out. Good luck, right now I have a nightly fight with my 4 year old about brushing.
