Teeth brushing for 9 month old - how on earth?! Any tips?

[MostlyAmbridgeandcoffee]

Just that really!! My DS acts as if we are torturing him and won’t open his mouth - drives me crazy!! Any tips?!

Sit with him on your knee, rather than facing him. Wrap your arms round to gently restrain him, and tip him back slightly.

It's then much easier to slip the brush into the child's mouth. At this stage it's really getting him into a habit of allowing you to brush his teeth, and smearing a bit of toothpaste over his teeth.

If he cries, you will be able to get a better brush (I know that sounds cold, but a few tears over brushing is so much better than your child having toothache because you didn't brush his teeth).

Encourage him to spit out the toothpaste - most children enjoy this bit!

I'm a dentist and a parent btw.

Mine is similar so I brought these finger toothbrushes which you can put your finger in...he lets me brush for much longer and its easier with this rather than a normal toothbrush

I think you can get them on amazon

After trying every method I could possibly find and lots of different tooth brushes I have found that there is no way to get it done properly without having her cry. So, I lay her down on the floor and pin her by straddling her with her arms tucked in so she cant pull it out. You have to clean them properly and I would rather have a few tears twice a day than tooth decay.

Thanks all that’s really helpful!!

My boy is 10 months and didn't like the bristle brush or minty toothpaste so I got a silicone brush and flavoured toothpaste. I of course plan to transition him on to a normal brush and toothpaste but currently he loves having his teeth brush so I would rather get the job done with him happy for now than create a bad association so early. But that's just me each to their obviously!!! The brush and toothpaste are both from Amazon x