Teeth cleaning....any tips??

[TettyLouBar]

DD is 11 months and screams and screams, turns her head, pulls away, goes red and eventually has complete meltdown.
Thought initially that it was because she was teething, but she been like this about having her teeth cleaned for about 4 months now. Only manage about 3 seconds on each row!!
Any tips for getting her to open up?

Bribery. Say that she can only have a bedtime story (or something else she cares about) if she cleans her teeth.

Give her a toothbrush to chew instead.

Advice from my dentist was that there's no need to forcebly clean their teeth at this age. Diet is the key - limit exposure to sugary drinks/foods.

Do your teeth in front of her, get her to do yours, gently help her do her own instead. Make it a fun, normal part of the routine instead of something 'done to' her.

Bonsoir: will try that bribery, although I dont think she'll take much notice, I think its a little too early for bribes with DD. I dont think she understands the concept yet!

Ahh, this is reassuring news about the dentist Pheebe, she has a very good diet, only drinks water and milk. I'll try the cleaning my teeth thing whilst we're doing hers. She has 8 teeth and 11 months and we just weren't prepared for so many so soon!
Thanks MNers!

Tettyloubar you can get a toothbrush that will clean their teeth while they chew it. I got mine from here. DS used his until he was ready to learn to use a real toothbrush and the dentist says we've done a really good job with his teeth. DD (9m tomorrow) uses hers every day.