For the life of me I cannot brush 20mo teeth

[BQ91]

Hi all,
i am at my wits end. I cannot brush my toddlers teeth. I have tried everything, different toothbrushes, toothpaste, playing videos, doing it in the mirror, watching me brush, brushing teddy, you name it. She throws her head back and screams at the top of her lungs, and will not let the toothbrush anywhere near her mouth. She will quite happily hold it but as soon as I put her hand to her mouth she screams and tantrums. Short of pinning her down to do it have you got any other suggestions? I’m worried her teeth will start rotting. Thanks

I pinned mine down. I hated every second of it but I see it as a care need and an absolute necessity, just the same as you would hold/pin down flailing legs to get a nappy change done. It's a hygiene and health issue, so I'd just grit your teeth and do it.

A tactic that works on my 20mo is 'do you want the bear/bunny/dinosaur's to brush them? Then I hold the toothbrush in the teddy's paws and provide some growly commentary.

Pin down. It's horrible but necessary. Thankfully it's just a phase, like everything else - my four year old has been happily having his teeth brush for ages, probably since about 2.5.

All 3 of mine have gone though this. its a miserable miserable phase. It does pass.

Pin them if necessary and just do the bare minimum. One of mine i never did a good job with at this age, but you can't tell that now he's 2.5, his teeth are exactly the same as his more compliant siblings.

Mine 2 year old is awful. Weve got one of those curved toothbrushes which she is happy to put into her mouth. They have like rubbery bristles on them I then hold it and give it a good go before she spits it out! She will also do normal toothbrush a bit too now, but I worry about the back ones. X

Pin down/swaddle in towel. I have had to do it for a while for all of my DC but they do grow out of it.

My son is nearly 22 months and getting like this. He used to love it but sees it as a game now and will bolt out the bathroom as quick as he can with the toothbrush in his hand expecting me to chase him. I did at first but now just stand in the bathroom waiting and he will eventually come back. We do it at night when he’s in the bath so he can’t escape and it’s hit or miss in the mornings but I do just pin him down sometimes if need be 🤦🏼‍♀️

I taught mine the term non-negotiable. I rarely used it, but when I did she knew there was no point arguing. Tooth brushing was definitely non-negotiable. They knew when I used that expression I meant business.