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Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

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Original poster

Brushing Toddlers Teeth

28 replies

Cbell · 24/10/2012 06:14

So erm....how do you do it?

My DD is 22 months. I've always tried to 'brush' her teeth twice a day but this mostly consists of popping the tooth brush in for a couple of seconds. More a quick florid application.

I don't want it to become a battle group. I've seen youtube videos that basically suggest you put your child in a head lock! This was suggested my a dentist. I've also read that you should be flossing your children's teeth. ARGH HOW?

I'm trying to sing a song, we have three cheers for teeth cleaning, pictures of other children cleaning there teeth, watching and helping mummy clean her teeth and getting favorite toys to help. I'm trying all but the headlock!

What works for you? When can they 'clean' there teeth independently?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Pyrrah · 25/10/2012 23:33

Oh, I also showed DD pics on google images of children with Baby Bottle Mouth - she was horrified and getting her to brush her teeth was a doddle for a while... might need to have another look at those with her.

AlohaMama · 25/10/2012 23:54

With ds (18 mo) I find it easiest to do when he's in the bath, playing with toys and is distracted. Wouldn't exactly call it a good clean, but hopefully good enough. Let him hold and chew the brush/suck the toothpaste. The best clean he had was when he got mad and started screaming - meant his mouth was open wide enough to scrub properly!!

DeeMonic · 26/10/2012 00:03

Up until fairly recently tooth-brushing was a huge battle with tears, tantrums and even passing out (DD has a bit of a temper)!

We have done the 'lets all brush our teeth together' approach, and the 'lets all brush each others' teeth' approach too. I have resorted to the clamping down of arms, and binding in a towel to get teeth cleaned too.

Thankfully now (at 21 months) the idea has sunk in that teeth must be cleaned. The last two toothbrushes DD has had, she has chosen herself (from a pre-selected range of options), and so has then wanted to use them.
Last night I told her it was time to wash face and hands and clean teeth, and she headed for the bathroom, yelling 'new'.

Love the idea of videos as a distraction.

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