How do I persuade 18m old to let me brush her teeth?

[Witchycat]

She has never liked having her teeth brushed. Screams & cries when I try.
I've tried leaving it a day or two & being really minimal about it to see if that would get her to dislike it less & then I think I can't just carry on doing that so I have to go back to holding her tight so she can't get her arms/hands in the way & she hates it.

Any advice?

My HV suggested getting DS to chew on a flannel. I have read several threads on this issue, and the response usually varies from "poke and hope for the best" to clamp them down on the floor and give a good scrub whilst they are screaming".
I'm not in the latter camp unless I feel my 18 month DS hasn't cleaned his teeth properly by flannel chewing/toothbrush poking (joint morning and evening ritual - he has his toothbrush on my knee whilst I clean my teeth and he makes his best effort, then hands me the brush so he can drink the water off it whilst I jab at his teeth. I don't give him sugary foods very often (we're talking christmas and birthdays and the odd rich tea biscuit or playgroup/out of my home treat here to put it into perspective)
They are milk teeth - they will fall out. So long as the routine is developed as early as they will accept it, I honestly don't see the problem in not getting stressed at such an early age. 18 month olds won't do a lot of what is considered normal for an older child after all m

Mine used to too, but I used to just sing loudly(her fav songs) or let her scream and hold her down. She will get the message and it helps you get to her teeth with her mouth open screaming anyway. Otherwise tickling her/discuss what you did/will do that day. That is what helps us now.

Good luck

2 ideas:
DD (13mth) often accepts my elec toothbrush after rejecting her own. More fun I guess, but the toothpaste goes everywhere.
Also a friend told me they has some slightly older cousins to stay and her toddler was keen to copy the older kids. You have to prime the older ones first to do it really well. Apparently this tactic works for lots of things.

We got a battery powered toothbrush with a handle shaped like a fire engine for ds. It helped the situation tremendously!

Mine is two now but loves to have a step for the sink so she can reach and wash her hands. She will happily let me brush her hair and teeth while she washes. If I try any other way she just legs it, shouting nooooo.

Oooh.. Jabberwocky - don't tell me it is a Walmart only item????? I was thinking of moving onto an electric one for the novelty value and that might just clinch it!

I used to and still do talk about all the food they have eaten during the day and how it all needs to be brushed away. They then are very busy thinking about what they've eaten. It works for us.

don't think so, but if it is, I can send some to you. They have all different designs.

Ooh, that would be very kind JW Could I paypal you the money? Anything transport related would be great!

First of all, I asked my dentist about this: he's a modern, well informed sort of dentist so I trust his feedback. He said 'children under 2 do not get plaque'. He also said 'what kids eat and drink is FAR more important in terms of tooth decay than brushing or not brushing teeth. Don't give her dried fruit too often, give her water or milk to drink, and as for brushing - the idea is to get them used to a brush and make it fun, don't worry too much about proper cleaning till over 2.'

Just wanted to pass that on.

Secondly, I've used a ton of ploys with dd, including playing dentists (we take it in turns to lie down while the other brushes teeth!) and, current favourite, brushing a tooth (roughly speaking) for each friend of hers/character on cbeebies/animal we know/etc etc

And finally, teeth brushing has been a LOT easier and happier since dd finished teething completely.

Good luck!

She might not let you do it, but a hand puppet may get a different response.

I gave DS little white marbles for his jam jar when he let me do it nicely.

Try some novelty toothbrushes and let her choose one she likes. Tescos sell brushes with flashing lights in the handles that flash for as long as you should brush your teeth for - 2 mins I think. They're not expensive.

Sure thing. They are battery operated and, unfortunately you toss the whole thing when the head wears out - wish they had replaceable heads for them. How many would you like?

squarer - Forgot to add, they are about $4 each I think? Will check tomorrow for you and let you know for sure.

5 is a good number! What do you want to do... buy me some and then work out P&P and I can pay you in one lot or would you like me to send money first and then send P&P?

My dd4 13 months copies her sisters and we sing the twenty times up twenty times down song from lazy town!!!
She would not open her mouth before.

How about if I buy them and post them on then let you know the total? You can do paypal once they arrive.

So, any kinds of cars and/or trucks, right?

Thank you Jabberwocky! Yup - cars/trucks/diggers. Typical little boy!
I'm all excited now

No problem, I'll be going to the store tomorrow

you can get the fire engine ones here think they are made by crest or colgate, with the normal battery operated toothbrushes I got one in tesco they are about 4.50

Really sanchpanch? Jabberwocky, do you want to hang fire and I'll see if I can see one in Tesco? I do like the idea of an assortment but I don't want to put you out if I can get one here.

they are made by colgate, called motion kidz toothbrushes,
i searched for fire engine toothbrush and there was an article in the telegraph about a lady struggling to clean toddler's teeth, and she bought frie engine toothbrush

try letting her watch in the mirror, it's the only way dp can do it at all with my 17month old dd. i tend to just give them a quick brush while she's sat on my lap screaming and then let her play with the brush when i'm done, she 'brushes' them herself then.

some days she just sits quietly and lets me do it, others the neighbours probably think i'm murdering her! to be honest she has so few teeth and doesn't eat much sweet stuff so it's more to drill the routine of having them brushed every day into her while shes young. dp has awful teeth as his parents never encouraged brushing and never brought him to a dentist so hes determined she won't

yeah you can defintely get them here, try tesco, boots, asda,
they will be with the normal brushes but in the sectiojn with the battery ones, tesco did do a mobile phone shape one for 2.99, dont know if they still do,
or try ebay if all else fails

i have to say to my 2 year old let me see/guess what you had for dinner then i spend time guessing while i brush her teeth

Okay, I'll hold off and you can let me know. The fire engine is definitely his favorite btw.