How to brush baby's teeth

[Tee20x]

Sounds simple but she just won't open her mouth. She's 8 MO - if I give her a toothbrush she will chew and suck on it but obviously this isn't brushing her teeth.

If I try and get in with a toothbrush she either clamps shut or sticks her tongue in the way so I can't actually see/feel what I'm brushing & I'm pretty sure I'm not getting her teeth.

Any tips?

We have a similar issue. Usually get to DC teeth to some degree.
I find when he's teething it's much harder. Then I just have to go for it really, sometimes mess about or tickle him a bit to get him to open his mouth. Make it part of play. Takes ages though .

One of my kids was like this. We did lots of doing our teeth in front of him while holding his toothbrush. Then the next time he would hold my brush and "brush my teeth (ie- smack me about the chops with a toothbrush) then I would do his at the same time. We did it for fun a lot of the time and I had to just be happy with what little I got each time. Also brushed teddy's teeth a lot too.

But I sympathise, that clamping of mouth habit wasn't easy to get out of.

We did a lot of smile to show your shiny teeth games too. Must have looked a right plonker grinning madly at him half the time, showing him my shiny teeth. And asking him to show me his shiny teeth. They are masters of copying behaviour so that's what I went with.

As soon as we went towards him with his toothbrush in hand he would clamp shut and turn his head. We backed off on that and went with play only til he saw it as fun.

Good luck!

I found having a little shaving mirror they could see into helped, opening your own mouth and they are more likely to copy ...and mainly just got them into the habit of brushing every time we went to the loo, so I'd basically try and do a tooth at a time

We have the same issue with 2yo. Won’t let me into her mouth but happy to suck and bite on a toothbrush with some toothpaste on. I’m aware she’s not getting a good thorough brush like this though. It’s an absolute scream fest trying to get into her mouth. I’ve given up.

I brush DS2s teeth in front of the hey dugee tooth brushing song on iplayer every evening.

I gave Dd a toothbrush to chew on (the wrong end, because it's wider) and then brushed her teeth with a second toothbrush.

We use a brush that goes over your finger (not sure of the official name) with dd 13months as i find it easier to force it in, as a regular brush gets firmly tongued back out. We use a flavoured toothpaste too that she likes (BrushBaby Banana). She usually lets us clean until the paste has been swallowed and then she bites down hard on your finger which isn't fun. Speed is key!

@Camomila

I brush DS2s teeth in front of the hey dugee tooth brushing song on iplayer every evening.

Yes!!

Small babies I do with finger toothbrush

But tbh my slightly older kids used to basically bite a lot on their toothbrushes and the dentist said they were doing a great job!

Brush teeth with a flannel in the bath at this age. Move to a normal toothbrush at about age 1

Thanks for all of your replies guys.

Yes I have one of those bite and brush teething toys so will have to dig it out and try it with some toothpaste.

Have also considered the finger toothbrushes so may give those a go.

Love the idea of brushing with a flannel in the bath.

Bring on tonight's teeth brushing time!