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Parenting

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Original poster

1 year old teeth brushing help needed

9 replies

SentinelWoo · 14/08/2018 10:31

Can anyone shed light on how to get my 13 month old DS’s teeth brushed without a fight twice a day?

At the moment we’re holding him and brushing amongst the screams but it’s not really very successful and not comfortable for any of us. He only has four teeth at the moment so it’s doable, but how can we be more thorough as he gets more?

We introduced a brush early, we tried brushing ours at the same time, songs, book distraction and brushing teddy’s teeth but he’s too young to understand.

Any tips will be appreciated!

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ElspethFlashman · 14/08/2018 10:33

We had an almighty horror with DC1. The only thing that worked eventually was an electric toothbrush.

Tbh he's still not great but at least it broke the cycle of screaming.

WooYa · 14/08/2018 10:35

You can get toothbrushes that sing, maybe try that? Or a finger brush you use for younger babies - just put it on and stick your finger in his mouth. It won't be perfect but you could try.

Original poster

SentinelWoo · 14/08/2018 10:48

Thank you for the responses.

I am shopping later so I’ll pick up an electric brush to try.

I don’t know why I didn’t think of the finger thing! He was absolutely more than happy to gently gnaw on the dentists gloved finger at our check up last month. If it doesn’t give a thorough brush, hopefully it’ll work as a temporary way to make brushing calm again before I give the electric brush a go!

Thanks again

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1 year olds Behaviour & development Families General parenting

bourbonbiccy · 14/08/2018 17:57

Have you tried letting him "brush" them first ( move the toothbrush forward and backwards and chew the toothbrush basically ) and then you guide the brush and gently take over ?

NoProbLlama78 · 14/08/2018 17:59

I use a silicon one with DD. it's by Brush baby and they bite down on it and chew it.

Youvegotafriendinme · 14/08/2018 18:18

DS is 20months now and we have cleaned his teeth since 4 months. We can go months with us happily doing them then all of a sudden he hates it again. He had a full set by 15 months but we found the best thing to do was let him clean them in the morning, we do them before his nap and again at night time. He knows this routine now and seems happy with the arrangement for now

Fartootiredforthisshit · 14/08/2018 23:31

Buy a second tooth brush. My has one and I have one.. There was a fight to start with no I just say to my 1yo open up and they do and I brush away and then let them play with their Toothbrush under the tap for a couple mins. Now my only fight is occasionally getting the Toothbrush back at the end

Original poster

SentinelWoo · 15/08/2018 09:31

Thank you all.

We always let him start off the ‘brushing’ and he’s happy to give up the brush and run before we take over!

I gave him his spare brush today and he chewed on it for a bit but screamed as soon as I attempted to give them the once-over.

He seems to be more accepting of the bottom ones so maybe once the top come through properly, it’ll be more comfortable. Or maybe maybe just being hopeful!

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Fartootiredforthisshit · 15/08/2018 11:53

Sounds about right. My lo was the same.. Utterly hated it, fought it and practically had to be pinned down everytime then just one day just opened their mouth for me to brush and touch wood usually more excepting.
But at you lo's age hated it. Just keep making it fun, own toothbrush washing their hands and face and they get used to it

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