Tooth brushing

[laurielee]

I brush my DS (3) teeth twice a day. However, recently it has become quite a struggle, with DS shouting, wrestling me for the toothbrush and generally being a pain, particularly in the evening when he is tired.

I always do it, however much of a battle/tantrum it causes, but sometimes the teeth barely get brushed at all(depending on my tiredness and DS persistence). Does anyone have any tips? I do let him help but he brushes his front teeth for a nanosecond, shouts finished and throws the brush in the sink.

Have you tried turning it into a sing song or a game? Or maybe bring his bedtime forward a bit so he isnt so tired?
Maybe get an extra (old) brush and let him brush his favourite toys' 'teeth' whilst you do his? Or take it in turns, he brushes his toy first, then you do him, etc?
How about the 'fun' toothbrushes they sell for kids? My DD has had ones with flashing lights, that flashes for the amount of time you are meant to brush, there are pirate ones etc...
Hope this helps.

don't worry too much, just get some toothpaste in his mouth for now and don't make a big issue of it, but gently keep coming back to it, he'll come round once he realises it s not a big issue

Is he too old for In the Night Garden??!

There is a (wince) Tombliboo toothbrushing sequence which might help convince him it's a good idea. I have to sing the little jingle sometimes to gain compliance from my DD aged 2.2. And I hate bloody ITNG, but it gets the job done....

I used to let my boys brush my teeth as long as they'd let me brush theirs first.

I'm in a similar position to you laurielee. My son is 2.2 and used to be really compliant re tooth brushing but has recently completely turned against it. I used to sing to him whilst I was doing it but that seems to have stopped working now.Similarly, brushing his teddies teeth before his has stopped working too... I probably need to calm down about it but feel that it's really important to brush your teeth well! Was thinking of getting a sticker chart to see if that helps...

My DS (2.5) is a nightmare with brushing. The ONLY time he will brush his teeth is when DH or I brush and he copies. The rest of the time & to make sure it is done correctly we lhave to pin him to the ground. It is awful but essential!

It's the same round at ours. My DS does not like having his teeth brushed, but has, I think, accepted that it will happen, regardless of protest. Some nights it's better than others though and I do think teething sometimes makes things worse.

I'd say just take a big deep breath, and keep on as you are. Fighting back is probably just a phase and brushing teeth is important.

Hello. We have the same problem. But when on holiday with friends copied them in giving toothbrush to DD whilst in the bath. Don't know why but it does seem to work for the evening one. Morning one is still a wrestling match although I've found if I tickle her she opens her mouth to laugh and it's not quite such an ordeal. You are not alone!

Thank you for all the replies. It seems as though I just have to ride it out, which is what I suspected. I have tried the in bath toothbrushing, but he seems to end up brushing lots of other body parts and not many teeth!