Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Teeth Brushing

6 replies

Lotts123 · 20/11/2023 09:06

How do we get our almost 5 year old to brush her teeth? The actual brushing of the teeth doesn’t seem to be the issue, more so the instruction. Getting her ready to go to school and clubs on time is a nightmare, very stressful. We leave so much time to get ready and she frequently gets distracted. The teeth brushing is the biggest issue, she just stands there refusing to do it. The toothbrush is not an issue, neither is the toothpaste. Once she starts, it is fine and straight forward but it’s actually getting her to start. It’s like she will do anything to avoid it “I was just looking out of the window” “I cleaned the sink” “I needed to wash my hands” etc etc. she understands that she will be late, she’s had to go into school through the office, she’s missed clubs, she gets upset about this but even when you are telling her that she is going to be late she will still just stand there not brushing her teeth. She won’t let us do it for her, and trying to pressure her to do it just seems to make her refuse more. Just for clarity, we believe she may have ADHD or ASD but school have said it’s too early to tell and we should monitor as the things we have noticed could be age related. We aren’t really looking for a diagnosis or reason why she does this, just hoping someone can offer some tips on how we get around this. Has anyone else had experience with this and has a solution? It is so stressful always trying not to be late.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Notjustfish · 20/11/2023 10:07

The NHS says children under 7 should have their teeth brushed by adults. Just do it for her.

Tooth paste can be a bit of a sensory overload. There is a tastless and non foaming tooth paste called oranurse. We use it with our youngest.

Lotts123 · 20/11/2023 12:57

Yes, we always brush her teeth after she has done them, but if it was really as easy as just doing it for her we wouldn’t be in this position. It’s impossible to brush someone’s teeth for them if they aren’t complying, short of pinning her down it really wouldn’t work.

I will give the toothpaste a go and see if this improves things, Thanks for the recommendation.

OP posts:
sukibelly · 20/11/2023 13:20

Have you tried any fun apps? Brusheez is a winner here

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Lotts123 · 20/11/2023 13:56

We have a Tonie box so we tried the Toothbrush Express on that. Worked for a while but she just doesn’t put it on until she’s ready to start brushing. Will download Brusheez, Thank you!

OP posts:
AnnaTortoiseshell · 20/11/2023 13:58

Would a timer work? So she knows how long she has to do them? We have one with a green, amber, and red light that will show how much time we have before we have to leave.

Lotts123 · 20/11/2023 15:36

We have had egg timers, a timer with a countdown, songs, etc, she just refuses to start until she is ready and at that point you could have been waiting for half an hour. It’s frustrating for everyone, brushing her teeth in itself is not an issue, it’s like the instruction to brush her teeth is the problem. I’m sure I’m not explaining that very well, I feel like if it’s a direct instruction she wants to do it on her terms, but that’s difficult when we are restricted on time. I’m getting her up and dressed first thing before I leave for work at 7 and my partner is battling with her from then till 8.30 to get the teeth brushed.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread