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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not brush my baby's teeth

152 replies

Stuckunderababy · 14/01/2014 16:46

DC2 is 14 months and HATES having his teeth brushed. Always has. Whereas with DC1 it was quite easy and I didn't force on the days he didn't want to, if I took that approach with DC2 I'd never brush his teeth.

So at the moment we resort to practically pinning him down to do it. I've tried other brushes, 'helping' him when he's holding it, signing etc. nothing works. I know he likes the toothpaste and happily chews on the brush. He's just one of these babies that likes to do it all himself.

Someone recently said that as long as they get the fluoride it doesn't matter if they are actually brushed, but this really goes against the grain for me.

So AIBU to desist with the brushing and let him get on with it, or persevere in the hope he'll one day get it?

OP posts:
Original poster
Stuckunderababy · 14/01/2014 16:47

I meant singing btw.

OP posts:
KatAndKit · 14/01/2014 16:50

Buy a brushbaby chewable brush. I got mine from jojomamanbebe but have seen them intesco recently. They get the back teeth a bit better. My DS also hates me brushing his teeth and this is the only way they get done.

JanetAndRoy · 14/01/2014 16:52

Those chewable brushes are available in Boots. Also saw tooth wipes in there too.

KatAndKit · 14/01/2014 16:52

Also available on Amazon.

kelda · 14/01/2014 16:53

Teethbrushing is one of the few non-negiotiables in my house.

Most children go through a phase of refusing, but you still have a resposibility to care for their teeth.

TwatWeevil · 14/01/2014 16:55

I would also recommend a baby banana brush, nice and chewable for those back teeth.

I'm not sure that's right about the fluoride, by the way. I'm sure our dentist (who is a child specialist) has told me that no or little paste is better than no brushing.

JimmyCorkhill · 14/01/2014 16:56

My DD had a long phase like this but it DID pass. We had to resort to pinning her down/wrapping her arms in a towel which made me feel like the crappest parent ever. We basically did all the tricks and just moved from one to another as they only worked for a short while eg. letting her brush our teeth/choosing her own toothpaste/light up toothbrush/playing dentists/pretending to spot food in her mouth "did you eat peas today? I can see one" etc. It's a rotten phase but you will get through it. She's also one of those children who likes to do everything by herself so we let her then do a 'check' do it again!

MrsOakenshield · 14/01/2014 16:56

for me it's always been a non-negotiable - it has to be done morning and evening. Fluoride is fine if they swallow it, they don't need to spit it out at this age as they need it for their teeth to grow, but they do also need brushing.

Reward chart? Pasta-in-jar with treat (not sweets hahahaha!) when it's full? Let him do it himself and you finish off? Um...

Joysmum · 14/01/2014 16:57

I wouldn't compromise on tooth brushing

lilyaldrin · 14/01/2014 16:59

I'd persevere. It will be easier to crack it now than let it slide and suddenly have to start forcing a 3 year old with cavities.

fluffyraggies · 14/01/2014 17:09

SIL is a dentist - she was furious over xmas, when she discovered MIL had not brushed DNs teeth for two nights running, while staying at hers. DN is 18 months.

I am going to take my lead from her. She knows what she's talking about.

volestair · 14/01/2014 17:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

phantomnamechanger · 14/01/2014 17:32

of course babies have teeth! some are even born with them!

volestair · 14/01/2014 17:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TeacupDrama · 14/01/2014 19:06

as a dentist you must brush the teeth ideally twice but at least once a day and let him do the other time

this is really a case of making rod for own back if you do not persist, you do not want to be the mother of a 3-4 year old referred for the extraction of teeth under GA

my DD is 4 she still hates having her nails cut especially toes but I still cut them now I can reason and just say it is going to be done but when she was littler she was held tight till it was done, now she understands it is going to be done either the easy way or the hard way but it will still happen but then I am mean mummy what I say goes but I try not to make too many rules so it does not often come into play

FruitbatAuntie · 14/01/2014 19:38

Well my DS has lots of razor sharp teeth (brushed twice daily, he likes it atm thankfully) and I manage to breastfeed him no problems at all. They don't attach themselves (usually!) by their teeth, you know!

ifyourehoppyandyouknowit · 14/01/2014 19:48

Brushing is non negotiable here too. I try and let him do as much as he can, then I give them a brush. Occasionally it means pinning him down but the message is that we brush every single day, no ifs or buts and we can do it the easy way, or the hard way. Just keep persevering.

volestair · 14/01/2014 19:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

shoofly · 14/01/2014 19:51

Ds1 born with 2 teeth bf until 9 months. DS2 no teeth (at first) - much more bitey and painfull - still bf.

Teeth brushing is like car seats - non negotiable. My friend is a dental nurse - its much more cruel to have decay leading to painful dental work. She said hold their nose - they'll open mouth to breathe, & get in and brush. It works - you'll feel awful doing it - but the awkwardness over brushing passes quickly - 4 nights with Ds2 who is EXTREMELY stubborn.

jenniferturkington · 14/01/2014 19:59

My 15 month old has almost a full set (18 so far I think) but I don't actively brush her teeth yet. She chews her brush with a dot of toothpaste on it when my older dcs brush theirs. When she is a bit bigger with a better understanding I will say 'let mummy have a go now' and make sure they get a thorough clean. I did this with the other dc (still have a go most nights) and they have perfect teeth (so far).

RedHelenB · 14/01/2014 20:54

Just wondering if there is a shift in emphasis as my dentist said it was getting the flouride on the teeth that was most important.

cantthinkofagoodone · 14/01/2014 20:59

The way I do it (DS also hates it!) is to stick my finger between his teeth and his cheek so that I can get in. I lay him down and then do it. He just won't let me do it another way.

I sometimes get them with a flannel.

He's got worse as he's got older but hoping it will get better. He's currently 18 months old.

Coldlightofday · 14/01/2014 21:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SparklingMuppet · 14/01/2014 21:08

Non negotiable here too. Pin them down get it over and done with as quickly as possible and with minimum emotion. No anger, no pandering, no 'oh my poor little angel' etc. It's vital to actually brush the plaque off the teeth, simply putting fluoride over the top (and how can you do that anyway if they won't open their mouths?) really won't help in the long run. I find holding htier nose so that they have to open the mouth is gentler than trying to squeeze the cheeks in to get the lower jaw to drop. Try extra incentives on top as well (extra pocket money, new toy, sticker chart etc), but fundamentally it's non negotiable. It is going to happen whether they like it or not, and no matter how much they protest.

24again · 14/01/2014 21:13

I thought the same about flouride as you until my eldest had three teeth out, four fillings and a crown at three years old. My youngest was pinned down CIA style and has his teeth brushed twice a day until he let me brush them normally.

BRUSH HIS / HER TEETH.