To not brush my baby's teeth

[Stuckunderababy]

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?

[lanbro]

I always brush mine first with dd watching, 22mo, then she's keen to have hers done. I start it off with loud ahhhhs then she finishes off

[TinyTear]

I brush mine at the same time as make exaggerated movements and she copies me. then i do a quick check myself with the brush... so far it's ok...

we also have a brushbaby brush and when she is teething she asks to chew on that one as well

[Sharaluck]

I thought the brushing was the most important part not the toothpaste I'm sure I was told that we needed to brush the very first baby teeth without toothpaste as the brushing was the most important.

Anyway back to your question. Yabvu. Brushing teeth is non negotiable. I find a countdown helps especially as they get older. Twice a day brushing is a necessity.

[Sharaluck]

I honestly don't think young children are capable of brushing their own teeth, when they are of school age perhaps but with supervision to make sure try do it properly.

Younger children do not have the dexterity to effectively brush every part of their teeth, so do it for them.

[SparkleToffee]

DS used to hate it so I bought him an electric toothbrush. He used to sort of jig up and down when brushing with it and totally loved it! Ended all problems in one swoop. DD was the same so she has an electric one you can decorate with stickers (!). Have you tried electric brushes?

I pers

[SparkleToffee]

Ugh - too soon

I personally don't hold my down and do it as I think it all gets a bit traumatic..... But maybe could you take them to the dentist , ride in the chair, get given a nice toothbrush snd sticker to make the whole thing appealing ?

[irishe]

Marking place

[MrsKoala]

My 16mo hates it. he has 8 fronts and 2 molars. He is teething atm and i was told by a hygienist not to brush if his gums were sore. I am trying to get him to open his mouth but he just wont. To those of you who force them - how do you possibly do that. I am also struggling changing his bum (with 1 or both of us crying and covered in shite on a daily basis). He is very big and strong and bites, hits and kicks me. I just can't hold him AND wield a toothbrush.

[SparklingMuppet]

I grapple ds2 to the floor so he's face up with me facing him. I then straddle his chest on my knees with my knees pinning his arms to his sides. I then cross my ankles behind me over the top of his legs so he can't kick, and that leaves my hands free to hold his nose and use the brush. It sounds barbaric and it is a little bit upsetting for me too, but it simply has to be done. It has to be.

[SparklingMuppet]

For bottom changing, have you tried step in's/pull ups yet? That worked wonderfully for ds2 as well. He hated having to lie down to do changes so we switched permanently to pull up style nappies at about 14 months I think.

[WillBeatJanuaryBlues]

I would not force, of course dentists are going to say its crucial to brush them every night and of course its important just like so many other things, I never ever forced my DD when she went through a hating phase, I left it and let her come back to it, roll on three years, she has perfect teeth.

A heart specialist would have a heart attack to see anything with nasty fats going into babies mouth, even a few times, I was told by a food expert at the council never ever give my child macdonalds even if its the only thing a poor eater would eat just once!!!! Just ONCE!

I do not belive in forcing or pushing and I think they get bad associations, children of that age change very very quickly, if you quieltyy let it drop, then come back to it in a while with a different brush he will probably get it,.

[MrsGrasshead]

We had to pin dd down to do them. She does them herself quite well now she's 8 but it's taken years. A few of her friends are having to get fillings now so I'm glad we did.

[WillBeatJanuaryBlues]

Sparkling.....I am almost speechless, there are more ways to skin a monkey...I am aghast I really am.

[WillBeatJanuaryBlues]

Teeth and what condition they will be in are largely down to genetics, diet and taking care of them.

I would never ever ever pin my DC down to force an object into their mouths, I think its barbaric.

There are so many other ways to get children to do things.

[GranolaMam]

He shouldn't be using toothpaste with flouride at his age

[GranolaMam]

fluoridealert.org/studies/acute03/

[SparkleToffee]

MrsKoala sorry To hijack thread- re bum changing when they are 16 m old....... Stickers. I would stick funny stickers onto their hands and they would be so fixated trying to take them off there would be no wriggling. IMO never let anything become a fight / nappy changing, eating of greens , teeth brushing or you are just engaged in a battle of wills with your own child.

[MrsKoala]

So sparklingmuppet, do you do this twice a day? I'm afraid that does sound barbaric, i don't think either of us would get over it. DS would be utterly distraught after - as would i. Is it really that essential?

It's the standing still and being 'manhandled' with the nappies - we already change him standing up, as laying down is a big no no. He still runs off smearing crap everywhere then sits his pooey bum on something.

[poppycock6]

Sorry but unless the plaque is removed there's a risk of decay. He won't be able to get that off just by chewing the brush. We had the same problem with DD2 around that age and did resort to quick pin down.

[ThisIsMeNow]

Towel wrapped around dc and held in cradle position and time. Lots and lots of time.
To change a nappy with a resister, sit sideways on to dc and one leg over their arms and chest (lightly!) which leaves both hands free and they can't get away as easily.

[MrsKoala]

Thanks Sparkle - i will try the stickers. :)

We've tried giving him keys etc but nothing has distracted him so far.

[lilyaldrin]

MrsKoala - when DS went through a resisting tooth brushing phase I would do his after his bath by wrapping the towel quite tightly round him (like giving a cat a pill!) sitting him on my lap and leaning him back. So one arm to keep him still and one hand to brush his teeth.

It wasn't a battle of wills, it was just a non-negotiable - it had to happen every day and that was that.

Nappy changing - I would sit on the floor with him lying in front of me, between my legs, and put my feet on his shoulders so he couldn't get up and just do it quickly!

[MrsKoala]

Cripes! sitting on them! how do they not get squashed? I know i'm a bit of a softy and have no experience with kids but, SITTING ON THEM!

I think i'm going to have to get tougher. DS just hits me in the face/bites me and runs off laughing.

[lilyaldrin]

Who is sitting on them?

[SparkleToffee]

I have even resorted to the sticky bit on the top of the wet wipe pack when the stickers ran out! Mine are monkeys but I couldn't bear to hold them down whilst they screamed. Tbh I have a phobia of the dentist even now aged almost 40. To me having things pushed in my mouth like dentists tools etc feels very odd and slightly violating ...... I know that sounds odd but that's how it makes me feel, I couldn't handle someone holding me down whilst shoving things I my mouth. It makes me feel quite panicky thinking about it..... Especially if it was done to me once or twice every day !