Brushing teeth - mega tantrums, your tips to get to those teeth?

[monkeypuzzeltree]

It is like a wrestling match at bedtime with my 19 month old. Any tips on how to make teeth brushing more fun, I'm so worried she will end up with bad teeth.

We roared like lions tonight and I managed to get to most of the little pegs. I made a big fuss of how well she did and she was most proud of herself!

Thanks for the tips!

DD is just turned 12 months and protests like mad. My dentist also said try nicely, if not pin them down or they'll be in for a GA having rotten teeth removed. Scared me enough that I pin her at the minute. She's still happy to chew own brush afterwards, I also let her 'brush' mine afterwards. I think she's too little for roaring etc yet, but will move onto that!!!

Get his favourite teddy to help by holding teddy's paws on the toothbrush when you clean their teeth.... They find it hysterical!

Stickers!! I feel your pain OP. We tried everything and DS would just clamp his mouth shut, so on advice from MN actually, we took him to the shops, let him pick out some stickers he liked and we said he could have one after he had brushed his teeth. Now brushes morning and evening no probs. Get the reusable ones though as if your DC is like mine, he'll want to stick them around the bathroom. Try not to get stressed as it's far easier for them if you're relaxed - I know this now

I also second Colgate Smiles or known in our house as "smiley cat" and "smiley hippo" You'll get there.

Opera singing. brush your own teeth and makea big show of it.

I 'count' the teeth or brush igglepiggle, upsy daisy, a lion etc. Failing that I just pin him down and get on with it. Nowadays I only have to say "Either you let me do it or I pin you down" and he opens wide and willing It isn't as bad as it sounds and he hasn't got a phobia. Clean teeth are non negotiable and he wouldn't thank me for letting him get away with it when he is older.

I have varying success with teeth. In the evening we do them in the bath and dd (22 mo) does mine, I do hers, she does hers and I finish off. In the mornings, she has a go then throws the brush and runs off. On occasion I do pin her down on the bed and have a quick whizz round her mouth to ensure they are clean. I might trying animal noises and stickers.

Nails, I resort to dummy and peppa pig combo to get to them and sometimes it has to be one hand at a time.

cherub59 have you written a book, because you should. These tips are brilliant. Did motorbike noises with mine and laughed but ran off. Pinned down tonight and did front teeth. Keeps asking for water so I think it is actually the tooth paste he hates. Will get stocks in.

I have to pin down DS (10months). I lie him down between my legs with his head in my lap, put one of my legs over each of his arms (loosely of course - no weight on him, just to stop his hands flailing and grabbing the brush!) then I've got both hands free to attempt to get in his mouth, past his tongue and attack the teeth. He screams like I'm attempting murder the whole way through. He's fine as soon as I sit him up and cuddle him though. I do really really hate it - and he only has two teeth at the moment! God knows what it's going to be like when he has more! But I have seen kids with rotten teeth (I'm a teacher) and I don't want it for him.