Can't brush 23m old DS's teeth properly!

[lottytheladybird]

Hello! My DS used to let me brush his teeth without any problems at all, but in the last few months, he's decided to be all independent and wants to brush his own teeth! However, he doesn't brush his teeth, but just chews on his tooth brush. I've tried brushing my teeth with him to show him how to do it properly and I've tried using his hand to move the brush around in his mouth. Neither tactics have worked so far and I feel like his teeth haven't been brushed properly in ages!

Is this a common problem and does anyone have any good advice? Thank you!

In your situation I ended up locking dd down on the floor with her head between my thighs and my legs on top of her arms! I know it sounds drastic but it became a bit of a game in the end, and she soon realized she was not going to get away with not brushing/ being brushed! She grew out of resisting but we still sometimes brush teeth with her held down on floor like that when she asks for it - like I say it became a bit of a game. Done with sense of humor/fun it need not be cruel. And the teeth do need to get brushed!
I'm preparing for a flaming over my methods here!

I found an electric tooth brush helps a lo. We find that routine helps. Ie. dd is not allowed TV before her teeth are brushed in the morning and she doesn't get to play in the bath. Now I let her do some teeth cleaning but mummy gives them a quick polish at the end. When she was younger we had two tooth brushes.

cheeseycharlie your methods are kinder than having to pin a two year old down to have an anesthetic for a tooth extraction because all their teeth are black and painful.

I have the same problem OP and my DD is also 23M. I know some people on Mnet uses similar method as Cheesey.

As someone who has big fillings in every single molar I am another one who sat on them to brush teeth. Not for the faint-hearted...

I don't mind trying the pinning method, but my DS won't open his mouth for me to put the tooth brush in. How can I get him to open his mouth???

Normally the child will be crying, I dont use the method its too drastic

The pinning down method is a last restort. I suppose you can tickle your child to make them laugh and open their mouth. Or get them to sing scales.

No loving mother wants to pin their child down, but tooth deay is a worse evil. I think its best to make it in a game. For example getting the child to clean your teeth in return for letting them clean yours. Bribary by allowing them an extra story if they let you clean their teeth.

Admitally this is difficult at 18 months when they don't have the brains to understand bribary.

We've spent months doing to put in headlock option but recently we've found the following works like a dream:

• DS has the brush whilst I read a (short) story, with soft toy on my knee. Soft toy listens to the story and I can say things like "I know toy, isn't DS brushing his top teeth well" or "don't worry, he'llstatt to brush again soon".
• I take the brush and brush DS's teeth to show soft toy "there's nothing to be frightened of".
• I "brush soft toy's teeth"
• Both DS and soft toy get a sticker for brushing their teeth so well.
• If they'd had both morning and evening stickers, it is recorded on a star chart, 7 marks in a week and DS gets a prize - another, larger sticker, an extra bed time story, a chance to do baking, or a visit to the park - I have picture on a sheet so he can choose which he wants. I deliberately kept away from giving small toys because we have enough clutter.

Dh has had real problems brushing DS's teeth but has been stunned at how well this has worked. DS just sits there with his mouth open. Last night DS was faffing around and I gave him 3 chances to brush his teeth properly and then said "no sticker". When his dad came in and noticed there was no mark on the star chart, and I explained why, DS rushed off to the bathroom to get his brush back again and sat down to have them brushed because he didn't want to miss out on his sticker.

OP, if your son won't open his mouth for you, could teddy etc have a look at his teeth or brush them for you?

Fire, how old is your DS? Sounds like you've a good system

(leaves to shop for stickers and dig out soft toy with big mouth)

My method is a bit hit and miss depending on DD's mood (22 months), but I got her a flashing toothbrush and she watches herself in the mirror - we make animal noises whilst I do the brushing - (roar like a lion - rrraaaaarh gives a big wide open mouth to get in the back of her mouth, and smile like a crocodile, snap, snap, snap lets me do her front teeth).

Alternatively pretend you can see bits of food in there ('Can I see some banana in there, let's get that out, ooooh and I'm sure I just saw a bit of cracker as well, quick let's get it...')

Caught her brushing Fifi Flowertot's teeth this morning, but will she do her own - will she heck as like!