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Original poster

Toddler won't clean her teeth

3 replies

DevestatedMumma · 07/04/2023 11:53

My 2 1/2 year old will not let me brush her teeth, she also will not do more than suck toothpaste off of any teeth cleaning tool she is given.
I've tried everything, had a very small window of success with each but the last 6 months it's been a flat out no from her!
Short of restraining her and forcing things I've tried everything. Reward charts, stickers etc do not seem to work with her.
I have a 2 month old and a semi useless male attachment that is never home at the times of teeth cleaning.

Any tips or ideas that I can try?
She's gone completely off of water (except for soapy bath water), she will not drink it at all so I can't even get her to rinse her mouth with that currently
She's started to suck on her top lip and has caused a red sore across the top of the whole thing.
All since she started to refuse cleaning her teeth.

Everyone says to persist but she gets so upset and then won't even come near me if I have a tooth brush in my hands and wont let me touch her mouth

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
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RiverRock22 · 07/04/2023 12:23

Have you tried a toothbrushing song? Or perhaps brush your teeth in the mirror at the same time to encourage her?

I have saw little toothbrushes that look almost like mouth guards, I wonder would those work. Search for 'U shaped toothbrushes'

Original poster
DevestatedMumma · 07/04/2023 12:58

RiverRock22 · 07/04/2023 12:23

Have you tried a toothbrushing song? Or perhaps brush your teeth in the mirror at the same time to encourage her?

I have saw little toothbrushes that look almost like mouth guards, I wonder would those work. Search for 'U shaped toothbrushes'

I've got a U shaped brush she liked it for a week now just sucks toothpaste out of it.
Tried big brushes, little brushes, finger brushes, brushing together, brushing in the bath, stickers, special treats, praise, being sensible, being silly, bringing it into play instead of something she has to do, standing still, walking around...

and yes I've trued singing with her for it, it's greeted with 'shhhhh mummy, no ow' ... I didn't think my singing voice was that terrible... guessing she thinks otherwise 😭

It's such a nightmare ! Only thing I've not tried is doing it when she's properly asleep 😂but I don't want her to choke

OP posts:
PritiPatelsMaker · 07/04/2023 18:16

Would putting a teeth cleaning song on YouTube help?

I'd talk to your dentist about the lip sucking. They might suggest introducing a dummy as that can be removed later.

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