brushing teeth

[yingers74]

how do you get an 18 month to brush their teeth? I give her the brush but she just sucks th toothpaste off! I always brush my teeth with her, but so far no luck! I used to wipe her teeth with a cloth but she won't let me anywhere near now.

I let mine "brush" her teeth by herself first, (She's 29 months so a bot older than yours) and she's starting to get the hang of the brushing motion. When she's had a turn then I do it for her. I think letting her have the first turn helps. Won't she let you have a go after she has had a go?

We always have a rule that mummy or daddy do the first lot of brushing before dd (now 2) gets to have a go and basically just chew on the brush. We always brush teeth with her, and she does try to copy us opening our mouths etc.

The biggest success we've had recently (but 18 months is maybe a bit too young for this) is to talk about what food she's eaten that needs brushing off her teeth, e.g. "Ooh I can see some toast and jam in there, let me brush it off". Now she joins in trying to remember what she had for supper that needs brushing off! But as I said - probably more an idea for when your dd is a bit older.

Often the brushing was not hugely successful when my dd was around the 18 months mark. I figured we were doing well if we get the brush in there and do a couple of swishes around.

It is difficult, I make it a game and let her brush mine and I do hers, then she mimics me brushing my own etc etc., whatever I can think of to get the brush in there and a few of the teeth brushed!Luckily so far she has always enjoyed the whole tooth brushing thing but i'm waiting for the day it's not fun anymore and she refuses to play along.

my ds hates having his done at the mo chews the brush-wont open his mouth- but have just discovered he can do an excellent job with an electric brush(a low power battery one)
i am going to look for a childrens electric one sure ive seen them somewhere

I rememebr taking DD to the dentist at that age and when I told him all she did was suck on the toothbrush he said that that was sufficient for the age, I used to let her do the morning brush and I did the night brush until she got the hang of it.

I was advised to take dd to the dentist from the age of 2 because she has Down Syndrome. I couldn't believe he even tried to examine her teeth using all the metal instruments. When ds was 3, his first check up just involved a quick look using a wooden spatula thingy and fingers.
Have recently had her 2nd check up and I explained to dentist that I found it difficult cleaning her front teeth, simply because she hasn't yet learnt to make an "EEEEE" face, to reveal them. He suggested I buy I little dental mirror to ease back her mouth!! What planet are these people on? I would have to be an octupus to handle her, the toothbrush, a little mirror, guard the running tap....
Both of mine love cleaning their teeth, but given half the opportunity would also have a good chew.
I try to take turns, I do some brushing with one while the other does their own, then we swap. It usually seems to work OK apart from us all getting covered in toothpaste occassionally.

Two things all three of my kids have hated to varying degrees - being put in their car seats and gbrushing their teeth and I am afraid both fall into the non negotiable category in our house.

I have had to get them in a headlock to brush teeth at times as no amount of singing, tickling, games, or cajoling would work.

We used a game for DS ... we gave teeth names so the conversation in the bathroom went something like this:
Me: Let's have a look ... who's in there today?
DS: Aaaaaahhhhh (mouth open)
Me: Ooooh, there's superman, shall I get him?
DS: Ha ha ha (mouths still open, nodding and laughing
Me: Postman Pat's in there too ... what is he doing?

And so on ... DS had all sorts of people and animals in his mouth over the last few years!!!

This progressed to DS telling me who was in there and who to 'get' ...

Later we would let him 'have a go' after we had brushed them and that progressed to him brushing first and us finishing it off.

Now he is nearly 5 he does it all by himself and I don't even have to remind him!

Ghosty
I cannot thank you enough for your great tip!
We have tried all sorts of techniques with DD for brushing teeth (amusing things, fun stuff, bribery, threats of her teeth eventually flying away if not brushed etc etc. nothing ever worked as such that I could brush her teeth well, it was mostly superficial brushing and of lately she only does it herself but she only plays really).

However, tonight was the first time in her life when I managed to brush her teeth PROPERLY and with her absolutely enjoying herself for as long as I thought it appropiate. The only other time we were successful was when my DB brushed her teeth once , but he's a dentist so must have the touch for it.

I am so, so, so pleased to have found your advice and am most grateful for you sharing it here.

Many, many, many thanks!

Have brushed dd 2 and ds 10mth since the first sign of teeth like this:

2 brushes, 1 for me and 1 for child with teeny bit of childrens' toothpaste - tutty fruity flavour and NOT mint. I hold one and the child holds one and I brush one bit and then take out the brush while they try to get their brush in but I beat them to it and then brush another area and so on. At the end when I have finished, they then have a go for a minute or two so they have clean teeth which I am happy with and they also feel they have done some themselves. Of course, from time to time I do have to humour them... I find it easier to brush their teeth lying donw on the changing mat. Sometimes I sing...!

headlock and lots of kicking and screaming at the moment
(and that is just me!)