to have pinned my DS down?

[lostinafrica]

He's 3yo and was tired, but wanted to play with his sisters, not brush his teeth. So I held his arms out the way and brushed the best I could while he squirmed.

It was horrible, but I wasn't sure if that was because I should have gone gently, gently or just because some toddler behaviour is horrible?

So was I BU?

YANBU I used to have to manhandle DS1 just to get him into the bathroom for about 6 months when he was three.
My best distraction was the following, sounds ridiculous I know but it usually worked with him,
make a very quiet Elephant noise (or quite loud if he was screaming),
act surprised
"Oh my goodness DS, I think theres an Elephant in your mouth, let me brush it out quickly"
Followed by lots of telling off of the naughty Elephant, and hopefully some brushing, repeat with various animals until two mins up.
If it didn't work I would say
"Ok well I suppose Elephant will have to stay in your mouth, but I think he'd be a bit sad, and make sad Elephant noises" again hopefully he would come round and join in.
It worked about 8 times out of ten and the rest of the times I did pin him down.

He is now 6 and has no issues with me brushing at all and thankfully no tooth problems.

DS is 21mo and teeth brushing has always been very hit and miss. DH has some success if he makes a game out of it and I used to occasionally be able to give them a fairly good brush when he was playing in the bath but he's started clamping his mouth shut now. Looks like we have no alternative but to pin him down and force his mouth open, and I hate the idea.

I have to pin him down to change his nappy and get him dressed and I hate that too. But it's a necessary evil if he's absolutely refusing to lay still and I have to get us both out of the house on time in the morning.

I don't really want to have this battle just before I expect him to be calm enough to go to sleep at night but looks like I'll have to

I am quite envious you have got to three and just had to do this for the first time. From now on, the threat of it if he doesn't comply will probably work.

loving the song!

YANBU. Reassuring to hear that other people have had the same problems with teeth-brushing .

I often have to pin down DS (23mo) and hold his arms because he just completely refuses to let me anywhere near him with a toothbrush. He won't even try to brush his own teeth - just chucks the brush away. I've tried everything including singing songs, letting him brush my teeth, tickling him, looking for 'monsters' in his mouth - you name it, I've tried it! It was made worse by him breaking a tooth recently while outside playing.

I absolutely HATE having to force him and I think it upsets me more than him sometimes.

If anyone has any more ideas about what to do, I would gladly try them. Otherwise, forcing him to brush his teeth is the only way I can make sure he doesn't end up with horrible rotten teeth.

I cannot understand not forcing it, if needed. Our role as parents is to act in our childrens' best interests while they are too young to do so for themselves.

This means doing those things that are not nice, but which have serious consequences if not done.

I'd rather my child hates me pinning them down than ends up like this
or this
or this

failing to take care of your childrens teeth is neglectful. Forcing them to brush their teeth and them hating you for it is unfortunate.

I used to have to do that too - she would howl like a banshee but it was obviously for her own good. She's much better about it now. I tend to buy her novelty toothbrushes and pink, sparkly toothpaste to sweeten the deal.