How do I get a 2 year old to brush his own teeth? Any tips?!

[ediemay]

He thinks it's a huge game and I always have to do it, was hoping he'd be doing it by now but nooooooooo Mummy - any advice please oh wise women?

2's a bit young to be doing it himself ... dd is 4, and I still have to do it for her - she brushes herself, but isn't capable of cleaning them well enough yet to do it all herself. I believe they recommend that a child doesn't do their teeth on their own (or at least without adult supervision and extra adult input) until they're 6, so you've probably got a little bit more brushing ahead of you yet!!

My dentist has told me that until they're about 7, they just don't have the capability to do it properly by themselves, mainly because they can't envisage the backs of the teeth and therefore pay attention to them.

So yes, it's years of boring slog ahead!

No luck here either. Ds2 simply sucks the toothpaste off toothbrush - then I brush his teeth. Often with a fight, as he generally won't open his mouth, wants to bite brush etc. Sometimes, the best result is if he starts crying, as at least then his mouth is open. (Always stops crying as soon as I stop brushing - indignation rather than pain)

However, I still brush ds1's teeth and he's just 4. And he has a filling . He's eaten a reasonable diet, but lots of fruit juice and dried fruit. Big mistake. Now, he has an electric toothbrush, he brushes first, then I have a go. And no fannying around, he has his mouth wide open and his head back so I can see where I'm brushing. If only I'd been so strict with brushing for the first four years, he might not have rotten teeth. Sorry, I am feeling very guilty.

edie no idea my ds also shouts noooooooooo and clamps his mouth shut so I have to semi force him to do his teeth..prefers to just eat the toothpaste...and brush his lips..sigh

I thought adults was supposed to brush them until the adult teeth are there

I think you're left holding the toothbrush for a while yet tbh. Tricks for getting his mouth open, I have many, try to alternate them so he doesn't get wise to it
tickling while lying him down
asking silly question slike what do bears say to get him to open his mouth up wide
pretending to see interesting things at the back of his mouth like his chicken dippers or a mini dinosaur that must have fallen in earlier
getting an electric toothbrush
getting a shine in the dark toothbrush, turnign the lights out and letting him see right to the back of his mouth in the dark
using two brushes - he has one, you have the other, use at same time

millions more but hope that helps

thank you! I don't mind doing it and it's good to hear he shouldn't be doing it yet anyway. I like the idea of an electric toothbrush, he would LOVE that. Memo to self - keep it up high or else he will clean the lav with it...

Oh yes, electric toothbrushes make life oh so much easier. But get the battery ones, not the plug ins - they're a nuisance.

ha! lol ediemay, thats the only downside with them. Have to hide dd's in a different place every morning. Am a bit neurotic about it falling into the bath too.

There was a similar thread lastnite too. Also apples are supposed to be good for cleaning teeth.

For older kids an egg timer is great to get them to brush for long enough. there is a timer with a tooth brush holder. But a cheap kitchen timer that you can set the time is ideal.

I just got a grat toothbrush (perhaps I should start a how many toothbrushes . . . thread)that flashes in the dark for the recommended brushing time. We've had it 2 weeks an novelty has not yet worn off
btw apologies for hopeless spelling

you lot are great. I'll be toothbrush shopping tomorrow and might get a glow in the dark one for myself! Thanks again and shiny teeth

I got a electric brush for ds and he absolutely hates it...hes scared of the noise.

ediemay, dd2 is 6 next month and lost her first baby tooth a fortnight ago.

A toothbrush, especially one with toothpaste on it, (so we have to leave it off) actually makes her retch.

I'm still wondering what to do ......

Carla, At the dental practice I worked at, we would reccomend that you don't worry about having to leave toothpaste off the brush as the teeth can be as clean without it.

You probably already do, but use the smallest brush available and don't ask her to open her mouth as wide as she can, as this will exaserbate the problem. She should only need to open her mouth slighty, this also helps with cleaning as the muscles are more lax & allow better movement.

Whilest brushing try to distract her (music, talking etc) avoid, as much as possible, touching the tongue & cheeks at the back of the mouth.

If you are having real problems then seek advise from your dentist.

haven't read entire thread but i don't think 2 is old enough to do their own teeth. they won't do it properly

if he thinks it's a game and is happy for you to do it then stick with it! at least you know it's getting done properly

When you think that some adults aren't even able to brush properly, then 2 IS far too young for a child to able to brush his/her own teeth.

They simply do not have the manual dexterity to be able to do it efficently, whether they have an electric toothbrush, or a manual one.

They will need help until they are removing ALL the plaque from each surface of the tooth. If you are not sure, take a toothpick/cotton bud & gently rub it along the egde of the tooth around the gum line, if you are removing a whitish/yellow paste, this is plaque & the child needs to brush better/longer.

For older children use disclosing tablets once they have brushed, darkened areas show plaque is still present!