Teeth brushing

[mandbaby]

I need your tips to help me to get my almost 3yr old DS2 to have his teeth brushed.

I've just finished reading the most inspiring parenting book that encourages "calmer", non-punishing, non-yelling parenting that should produce happier, more compliant kids.

I've tried to put their suggestions into practice but things, so far, aren't working for my 2.11yr old son. (They work much better on my 4.8yo DS1, but DS2 is a little more tricky).

Almost every morning and every evening, teeth brushing becomes a battle. I've tried star charts, making it a "game" making it a race with his brother, offering him the choice of whether he brushes first and dresses afterwards, or vice versa. (This morning, he decided to dress first, but refused to open his mouth for his toothbrush, causing me to go against everything I'd read and losing my cool with him).

I just need some more tips to make it a more enjoyable task for everyone concerned.

I always find that sticking 2 one book or opinion can be limiting! don't beat yourself up when you do get a little flustered it is normal. I actually find the more of a fuss you make, good or bad, makes it more of a battle. These teeth are temp so if you cannot make him do it a few times don't worry but when it comes to treats I would be like ' ah no ice cream for you - if you do not brush your teeth' and see how that goes

Yes, you're right about fussing makes it more of a battle. Even I make a joke out of it, he will laugh but still refuse to have them brushed as he wants the joke and the laughing to continue.

I just know that using force creates resistance. The more I try and force the issue, the more he will resist. But it's sometimes impossible not to!

I use the you do it or mummy will do it for you approach on the few non-negotiable things and that seems to work. With teeth brushing if i have to do it i pin DS down so he cant move his arms and just get the brush in there (sounds harsher than it is). He doesnt like it when i do it for him so generally now he does it himself. If we miss the odd day or 2 then so be it (pick your battles) but mostly he has learnt its nicer and easier to comply, we let him choose which brush he uses between 2 and try to keep it fun and relaxed but some days firm tactics are required.

I would also use the you cant have ice cream/sweeties as you havent brushed teeth approach as suggested above if required, that would work well with my DS who has a thing for lolly pops at moment.

I told my two how much it hurt to have a hole in a tooth. They were horrified.

My DS2 has a huge thing for lollipops at the moment and I use it as a threat. "if you don't brush your teeth you can't have any lollipops" but it doesn't really work. Perhaps I need to just go with the flow and the next time he asks for a lollipop say "no, because you wouldn't let me brush your teeth". See if reversing the tactic works...

Teeth brushing is non-negotiable in this house. I ask once and then they get held. It's not much fun but they should grow up with good teeth so it'll be worth it.

We've tried a few things. The free Aquashfresh app is amazing and DD will watch that and let me brush for the two minutes, but I always use it. Sometimes letting her brush mine while I brush hers works. Other times we have a silly song we sing. Also me brushing her teeth really really fast makes her giggle, it might not be the best technique but it's better than nothing.

On really bad days it is quite simply "brush your teeth or go to bed with no story". We did put her to bed without a story once and it worked, she cried and asked to clean her teeth, so we did and then did a proper bedtime. Now she seems to get the threat and while it doesn't result in amazing teeth cleaning and she'll chew the brush etc, it's better than nothing.

Agree with others though that teeth brushing is one thing to be really quite hardline and non-negotiable about, and if it means pinning them down then that is better than having teeth removed. But having a few tricks up your sleeve to change from day to day might work better?

Have you tried the different flavours of toothpaste? There's a bubble gum one, will that by any chance help?