Teeth cleaning still a problem after a year.

[RubyGoat]

DD is 18.5 months, she got 1st tooth at 5 months so we've been brushing teeth for over a year now. She still isn't used to it, in fact she is worse. She kicks & screams, tries to escape, runs away when she sees the toothbrush, she has bust my lip at least once. It takes both myself & DH to brush her - one to hold her & one to brush. We've tried just letting her sit there (in case it was the restraint that upset her, & continued with this for quite a few weeks, but she continually escaped & threw the toothbrush away etc). She's a big & strong girl for her age, so it's becoming increasingly difficult to restrain her.

She's got most of her teeth now, it's not an option to forget about brushing, as weak teeth run in DH's family & I don't want her to get cavities. We minimise sugar as much as possible as, sadly, I suspect that we often don't manage to do a good job.

Any suggestions? TIA

to stop her running away try brush teeth in the bath.

Star chart? We managed to use one without needing an end of week reward etc. The stickers were enough for our 2yo. Hard to come up with non sugary rewards which defeats the object somewhat.

we also play a game where we pretend to be looking for her favourite book / tv characters in her mouth. Gets her to open up really wide and she is usually too distracted by us telling her who we can see / are looking for to notice the brushing much.

i tried the bath thing my lb is 2next month and i also tried giving him a toothbrush to hold while i was cleaning his teeth they both worked he doesnt mind now in the morning though he just sits on my lap with the spare toothbrush in his hand

have you looked into sensory problems? is she.funny about food too? some children fiind oral stimulation unbearable. just take a bite.book contains desensitisation exercises if you think you need them

Brushing in the bath, brush yours at the same time or even let her brush yours and then you brush hers. Reward chart.

My ds was a nightmare for brushing his teeth, I tried everything! Then one day I filled the sink up with water, bubbles & bath toys and stood him on the stool to play. He was so engrossed that he just fully opened his mouth and let me scrub away, I was gobsmacked! Worth a try

Same boat here. Turns head away screaming if I try to brush teeth, after happily sucking all the toothpaste off the brush and asking for more.

I have tried toothbrushing in the bath with toys etc around but no different. also, always have made a bit of a thing of me brushing own teeth to try and be a good model of what to do. As does DH. I am really finding it hard.

We used a brush baby, a toothbrush they chew, until he was about 19/20 months. It was great. Now we're in the same battle zone as you though. It's getting a bit better & he's getting better at doing it himself.

We now alternate between:
1 distraction "lets watch xyz whilst mummy finishes it off"
2 stickers saying "I brushed my teeth" from eBay & nursery making a fuss when he's wearing one
3 "Do you want mummy or daddy to do it?"
4 time outs

Someone recommended an Aquafresh app, but it didn't work for us.
Giving him a choice of two toothbrushes & letting him put the toothpaste on also helps. It's all about him feeling in control & wanting independence in this house.

Oh, I tried a reward chart too, but he's too young to get it.

We got an Oral B electric one for DS when he was around 2 if not earlier. It is aimed at slightly older kids but the dentist seemed to think it was ok. The buzzing seems to send him into a zone so he just gets on with it, but having said that, he was one of those colicky babies who stopped crying and went into a trance when the hoover/ hairdryer was turned on!
Having a nightmare with DD2 (22m) and thinking of getting her one as a last resort. Wilkos & Lidl do cheaper electric brushes.