Teeth brushing tips/vids/YouTube etc

[bumblebumblebumblebee]

Hi my 22 month old used to brush her teeth or let us do it and recently she's been getting hysterical and clamping down.

We all brush our teeth together, she has an electric and a manual toothed brush and brush baby tooth paste

Short of pinning her down and forcing her mouth open (obviously not going to do that) I'm at a loss

Any advice would be great thanks

Honestly, i would absolutely just be pinning her down and getting on with it. IMO making it into a big production with bribes and gadgets is a huge mistake. She's evidently identified refusing to do this particular thing as a good way to make you both freak out, so if i were you I'd be no nonsense and just do it til she realises it's not optional.

We currently use the Hey Duggee Toothbrush song on YouTube. Works a treat

Yes I also think pinning is necessary if required. I’ve worked with families where young kids have had to have teeth extracted - that’s dramatic but where things could go if teeth don’t get cleaned. With my 2yo a game of finding the food monsters works quite well.

Blippi toothbrush song

My 18 month old has always been pinned down and made to brush teeth. If I don’t do them he’s not going to do it , and I don’t want his teeth to rot. I will continue to do this untill he is old enough (and not so stubborn ) to do it himself.

^ I was joking with the term stubborn btw.

Pin her down and when she screams, brush her teeth. You may need to use your legs to pin down flailing limbs.

My 22 month old just clenches his mouth shut some days. I give him a few chances, sometimes he gives in, sometimes we brush his teeth on the floor.

It's a two person job in this house...he sits on dh, who holds his arms, and I get the teeth. We also sing the baby club song, but about brushing, ' we brush, brush, brush, brush, brush together...'

It's just started to get a bit easier now he's 16 months.

Ex dentist... pin her down. Or you'll be sitting there, ineffective in a Sunday clinic while some poor dentist tries to fix her toothache.

Wow thanks

Her teeth are always brushed one way or the other just wanted to find a way of doing it without brute force and putting her off

The thing is, the more you treat it like a big deal, something that needs a special video or a treat or a reward, the more you encourage her to resist, because it's an easy way to push your buttons. She's the perfect age for learning manipulation and pushing boundaries, so you need to stand absolutely firm. Rather than turning it into a power struggle where you're cajouling and bribing, just get it over and done with.

Side note, because i met someone who didn't know this the other day, up until the age of 8 kids just don't have the necessary dexterity required to brush their teeth thoroughly enough, and so an adult should always be doing a proper pass, even if you've got the child to do it themselves.

I also pin arms and lean her back. If she shouts it's actually easier because then her mouth is open. She's 16 months now and has always needed pinning for teeth brushing.

It's just non-negotiable, like being strapped into a car seat. I hope that one day she'll grow out of it, but it's just the way it is for now. Rather that than rotten teeth.

Wrap in a towel and sit on the toilet with her on my lap. She's nearly 3 and a half and still hates it every morning and night but she will have to get used to it!