Tips please! DS won't let me brush his teeth

[LovelyBertha]

DS is 21 mths, and really hates having his teeth brushed. He likes 'doing it himself', but of course he's not actually cleaning them. It always causes a massive tantrum and as a result, I often don't bother in the morning because it just puts us both in a bad mood and makes us late. I think I only succeed in giving them a proper clean about twice a week. Its making me feel really anxious, as I'd never forgive myself if his teeth went rotten.

Tried a star chart- but he's a bit too young- didn't understand.

I don't give him sweets or fizzy drinks or anything, but its still worrying.
All tips gratefully accepted.

Let him do it himself, then finish it off for him. When he is doing it himself, get your toothbrush out and have him copy your technique.

Have you tried finding a 'dinosaur in his mouth'? I did this with DS1 saying "I can hear a dinosaur roaring in there - I think he needs a tickle from your toothbrush - let me see if I can find him", and now he lets me do it without any fuss after he's tried to do it himself.

my dd is a nightmare too. i have started getting her to do 'one for granny' (rampant bit of brushing at the back), 'one for friend y' etc. seems to be working.

could you try having two brushes, one for him, one for you?

My first son was the same and in the end around 22 months i kind of gave up for a while and just gave him his toothbrush whilst sat in the bath in the evening to chew on. Got myself all worked up about it, but eventually he would let me.

Still is a major cause for axiety in our house - now he's 6 and i've had t get one of those "Tooth Tunes" brushes to get him to clean them!

But, he has lovely peraly white teeth, with no cavities etc, so i am sure you're childs teeth will be fine if he misses a few brushings..

I would start with one or two teeth at a time - the most easily accessible. Say you need to brush his Igglepiggle teeth or whatever character he likes best. Just do a very quick job of that tooth the first time then build up te number of teeth and characters.

That's what I did and this morning I brushed DS's Igglepiggle, Daisy Doo, K9 (boom boom) and ice warrior teeth (don't ask). Oh and his Tardis House tongue.

Thankyou!I was beginning to think that my child was the only one with dirty teeth. Yes, change of tactic is called for. He's really into farm animals at the mo- so perhaps we'll try brushing the cow and the pig and the sheep.....