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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

18 month old refuses to brush teeth

11 replies

omri · 02/02/2013 23:05

Hi there! Just wondering if any of you had the same problem and what tips you have. My 18 month old used to like brushing his teeth with his fancy baby toothbrush and toothpaste but for the last 2 or 3 months absolutely refuses point blank to let it near his mouth! I've tried giving it to him with just water on the brush; me and daddy in the bathroom smiling brushing our teeth like its great fun Etc... But still he throws a complete wobbler every time he sees my coming near him with it! I'm quite a relaxed mum and he's quite a relaxed boy but this is starting to get to me- I can see his teeth need a good clean and his breath can stink!!! Any tips on how to tempt him back to the toothbrush??

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RarelyAGobshite · 02/02/2013 23:08

Use it as a toy? As in, put it in the bath with his toys when he has a bath.

Be very blasé about it all. If he won't brush, pop the toothbrush away.

If he clicks on he gets attention by refusing to brush, he'll refuse to brush all the time.

A couple of days with no brushing won't do any harm.

Original poster

omri · 02/02/2013 23:25

Hi there rarely, I started responding but think I lost the message or it may be there is half a post up there somewhere ... Anyway thanks a million for quick reply. I'll try both those tips. Have to admit he definitely does see me get irritated and has my attention for ages when I'm trying to coax him to brush. Will be more blasé and ignore his refusals from now on and also pop it in his bath (which he has every night before bed so good timing).

By the way... It's been a good bit longer than a few days without brushing upsets me greatly as my fave thing is the feel if freshly cleaned teeth and when I think of all the spag Bol and yoghurts and stuff he's had even just today - shudder!

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RarelyAGobshite · 02/02/2013 23:35

I have an 18 mo and he doesn't enjoy brushing. Luckily he's not the eldest so he sees others doing it and likes to copy.

But there has been periods of complete refusal.

My pov is that if its forced upon him, he'll become scared/worried/hate it. It's not supposed to be something you dread. It's a necessity. But it won't do him any major harm if he doesn't brush every day, or even for a while.

ATouchOfStuffing · 02/02/2013 23:43

Hi! I was worried as my 18 mo was just sucking the toothpaste off her brush, so I got a finger brush on ebay - it came in a set with a teether/brush and a plastic soft brush and she loves it! I put it on my finger with toothpaste and (although she bites my finger a bit, the plastic does shield you a bit) and now I can do ALL of her teeth! I also got a toothbrush in Morrissons with a cat and another with an elephant head on and suckers underneath. She likes sticking them to the side of the bath and sucking the toothpaste off so I let her 'use' that one first then attack with the finger brush

ATouchOfStuffing · 02/02/2013 23:45

Oh and I try to brush while she uses the animal brushes to show her it's something we just do after a shower/before bed.

hazeyjane · 03/02/2013 07:55

I'm afraid I would just wrap him in a towel and get on with it, brushing teeth is too important.

wiltingfast · 03/02/2013 22:51

Hmm, we've always just insisted in this house. I don't panic if every tooth hasn't got a good scrub but I insist on having a go. Both of mine just seemed to get used to it. Now they start and I or dh finish.

seventiesgirl · 03/02/2013 23:18

I agree with Hazey. If my 4yo won't co-operate I tell him I'll just pin him down and do it. He's knows I will so he just let's me do it. Every time I just calmly tell him that mum cleans his teeth twice a day, no ifs no buts.

I also showed mine pictures of kids rotten teeth on google!

NuzzleMyScratch · 03/02/2013 23:22

DS is just 2. At the moment I let him play with the brush for the morning brush, and the nighttime one I do it for him. Depending on how tired he is this is either cooperated with or met with screams! As he gets older I'll turn the morning brush into one that I do too.

SamSmalaidh · 03/02/2013 23:23

I insist too - making DS have his teeth brushed hasn't made him scared or worried about it, it's just become one of those things that has to happen like seat belts.

Wrap him in a towel, lie him down between your legs and get on with it.

Original poster

omri · 03/02/2013 23:35

Thanks all! I have just pinned him down a couple of times to get it done. He kicks and screams and has a horrendous tantrum while I do it (30 secs max). I was afraid that experience was putting him right off as if tooth brushes are scary things...

But good news is I gave him the brush and toothpaste in his bath tonight and he spent half his time brushing while I whooped and cheered. So hopefully that is how we will get on track again.

Thanks for taking the time to respond everyone. A minor problem in the grand scheme of things but it was really starting to get to me.

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