Washing teeth without screaming or biting?!

[user1470064958]

How on earth does everyone manage to wash their babies teeth without screaming/ biting or full on tantrum?

I currently have to pin DC to even attempt it twice a day. It's become an absolute ordeal.

Any one got any tips?

My dentist said it's more to do with the benefits of fluoride than actually brushing them at that age. Give them the brush and let them modge it about a bit?

We started with a chewy brush when DS was 3mo or so which he was mostly ok with. Then moved to a 'real' brush once he was 9mo or so. There's been times when its needed various distraction or full on physical restraint techniques (getting teddy to do the brushing, giving him a brush to do teddy's teeth while we do his, singing songs). Now he's 3 when he's being awkward its mostly threats/bribery (do this quickly and we'll have time for a story) & occasionally we resort to a sticker/star chart

We did have a few times when he was clearly teething and we backed right off tooth brushing for a few weeks because it felt like poking around in an already sore mouth was likely to cause more long term resistance and in the long term a week off brushing wouldn't do much harm

We were just massaging gums around 3 months, using a super soft baby toothbrush. It's just part of the morning/ night ritual.

Since she was about 1 we've played a game about chasing animals out of our daughters teeth (with plenty of animal sounds as they run off) with the tooth brush. It's massively reduced tantrums and head locks when teeth cleaning.

I just had a small breakthrough with DS op... I've often given him his toothbrush to hold while I'm doing my teeth in the morning but today he copied me for the first time (my neighbours must think I've gone bonkers with all the cheering I was doing). Then he sat himself down on my knee and let me gently do the fronts. Ok, it's baby steps but it is progress at least. So it's worth persisting with trying to get them to copy an adult, it seems.

I have brushed DS's teeth since he was tiny, it hasn't stopped him taking against it... hopefully it's just a phase