At what age do you stop brushing your DC's teeth?

[SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood]

DS is 3 and I can't imagine letting him do it for a long time! I do let him have a go after me, and he can sometimes do it well, but I doubt he'd be consistent.

My dentist says age 8 really is when they are more capable of doing their own teeth.

But even then she recommends we double check.

I bought some disclosure tablets because my eldest at 7 insisted he could do his own. I let him brush his teeth the way he called "properly", then made him chew a disclosure tablet.

Although I expected it to be bad, even I was not prepared for how many areas he missed! He was when he looked in the mirror.

He is 8 1/2 now and I am slowly withdrawing assistance, though I supervise and time still.

In fact, this thread has reminded me I need to get some more disclosure tablets!

I read 6yo once and mostly go with that.

oh good, so I'm not being unrealistic to think I'll be doing it for years yet

No!

I have a 6 year old and a 5 year old, and have a few toothbrushing years ahead still.

as well as my 8 year old! should preview before posting!

I have a 7 year old, and I leave him to brush his teeth in the morning. He has a wooden timer so he brushes for 2 minutes, and I must admit he does a really rubbish job if I don't keep nagging. Mornings are such a rush that I don't have loads of time to stand and do it for him.

But evenings he brushes first and then I go in and give them another going over.

I'm glad someone said 8ish was the age to let them start doing it on their own. DS would have no teeth left by Christmas if I let him get on with it alone.

Thanks for this thread, now I know DS isn't lazy, he just can't do it yet!

I have dc aged 5 and 9 years. They both brush their own teeth in the morning and in the evening I go with them and spent about less than a minute giving both sets a quick scrub, before leaving them to it! My older dd also uses mouthwash am and pm. Both have great teeth and certainly aren't exactly leading a treat free existence......

My DS is 7 and I brush his teeth. I will be for quite a while to come. I guess you'll know when you can stop - when they're dexterous enough and want to do it properly.

yes, true. I just sometimes worry that I don't move on to the next stage iyswim - do it for it because I always have. For example, I've only just started letting him dress himself. However I suppose worst that can happen if he dresses himself is he has odd socks and top on backwards, but teeth are more important!

We still brush DS's teeth (4 yrs), although I do let him 'finish' once I've given them a thorough brushing, forsee doing this for some years to come. DD (22 months) is still at the clamping teeth shut on the brush, screaming, yelling, writhing phase

We still do a once-over at bedtime (DD8) because her teeth are coming in very squint and can't be corrected till many more adult teeth are there. I don't think she can get into all the angles properly yet. Dentist approves!

My dentist said if they can write their name then they can brush their teeth. But I still brush DD1's teeth and she is 6. Her idea of brushing is briefly showing the brush to her teeth.

DD1 is 9 and DH gives her teeth a once over after she's done them every other night. DD2 is nearly 4 and loudly states "I can do everything everything by myself" and hates DH 'interfering' by helping her, though he still valiantly attempts to give them a scrub.

That sounds wrong... DD1 brushes her teeth every night but every other night DH gives them a quick scrub after her!

HAve a mate who's a dentist and he says until at least 7. DD1 was 7 last week and isn't offended when I help her ...yet. But DD2 who is 2 makes a right old fuss. So hard to brush when her teeth are clamped round the plastic and she's snarling. DS is very co-operative although has never found a flavour he likes.

I bought some salt flavoured toothpaste the other day. It's sort of OK.

Ha, DD only brushes her teeth when I nag her and yell at her, so twice a day then.

I'd love to know stats because I'm sick of nagging and shouting.

Her teeth haven't fallen out yet, her breath doesn't stink that much, she just isn't into washing or cleaning, or grooming come to think of it.

She's not keen on any of that stuff.

She'll get over it right?

I suppose my question is a bit more primitive: at what age do you start / insist brushing your DS's teeth?

My 2 year old DS absolutely does not allow us to brush his teeth, clamps them around the toothbrush & basically just sucks the toothpaste off & that's it. DP & I have tried all sorts of things, we do the toothbrushing ritual morning & evening, make a big deal of brushing teeth ourselves at the same time etc.

However, short of opening his mouth with force & actually brushing his teeth for him against his will (which we really don't want to do as- amongst other things- he's a very strong boy & it'll be hard), are there any tips? Or are we doomed to numerous cavities very soon? :(

Maria, I'm watching with interest. I have a similar thing with ds (3) - sometimes he's fine and he'll let me help. Othertimes, he just will not open his mouth.

Here's hoping others have words of advice.....

I told my ds that if he doesn't brush his teeth will fall out. He believes me. He brushes his teeth, then I check and if necessary have another go. He's 3. He's also infinitely amused if I pretend that the toothbrush is flicking me while I do it.