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Parenting

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Original poster

Is it possible to brush a one year olds teeth effectively?

12 replies

flikka · 19/03/2008 23:05

My 13 month ds (7 teeth) grabs the toothbrush in a vice like grip, clamps his jaws around it and sucks the smear of toothpaste off. Any attempt at brushing or at trying to take over the toothbrush results in instant fury and crying so i don't but I don't think what we're doing is having any effect at all. Does anyone else have this problem & if so what did you do? I've tried watching in the mirror, giving him another toothbrush while i try to brush his teeth. Nothing works. He used to let me brush for a bit but not now. Someone told me a rubber bristle brush(?) is effective but she's only seen it in Germany. Should i just let him carry on the toothbrush sucking routine til he's older?

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Twinklemegan · 19/03/2008 23:07

My DS got worse with tooth brushing around this age. He's now 19 months and he's generally better again. He seems to enjoy it and will often open his mouth willingly. But there are always the times where he goes back to clamping his mouth shut, with or without toothbrush. I wish I knew the answer to this.

padboz · 19/03/2008 23:14

lol flikka, total sympathy - www.mumsn et.com/Talk/1375/498201?stamp=080318133218

rofl at the vice thing - we're clearly on the same wave length!!!!

chunkychips · 19/03/2008 23:27

Yes mine did this, but the novelty wore off and they're fine now. My son did have some tartar on a couple of his back teeth at the top because I couldn't get in and brush effectively (I think he was about 2.5/3 yrs), but the dentist just scraped it off quickly and wasn't too bothered. Ime they don't do this forever, just make sure they don't have too much sugary stuff until it sorts itself out I suppose.

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AandMsmum · 19/03/2008 23:34

Hi there, my dd is 15 months and does the same thing, I can sometimes get a few brushes in but on the whole more eating of the brush than brushing with it!

I've been brushing her teeth since she was 3 months so you'd think she's be used to it by now! I think it's just another learing curve they'll be more willing when they understand why they're doing it..

shreddies · 19/03/2008 23:36

does it help if you take the toothbrush and brush your teeth with it? sounds a bit desperate I know but does sometimes work for my 15 month old

Original poster

flikka · 20/03/2008 11:55

I will try that thanks! Needs must ;)

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Alishanty · 20/03/2008 13:27

My ds is 19 mths and kicks off really badly when I try and brush his teeth. tbh I just force him. I know they say don't make an issue of it but his teeth need to be cleaned. I was getting worried as he has a dummy and his breath was starting to smell so I hold his hands down and just go for it. Hopefully he will get the message and stop doing it.

chickytwotimes · 20/03/2008 13:29

my ds is 19 mths and also loves "brushing" his own teeth. "me do! me do!" I have 2 toothbrushes so he uses one and I clean whatever I can with the other. Seems to work ok?

GrapefruitMoon · 20/03/2008 13:37

Wasn't there someone ages ago who used to put her dc lying on the floor with his head between her knees so he couldn't wriggle when she was brushing his teeth?!

kamsmum · 20/03/2008 13:46

I clamp my 20 mths DS into me as I used to do when giving him medicine. Sometimes he laughs and sometimes he screams the place down. I don't really mind if he screams - it only takes a minute and his teeth get thoroughly brushed. He also does the mouth clamping thing but I just hold him and wait till he opens his mouth. I knows I will, so he usually gives in quite quickly.
When the brushing is finished he gets lots of hugs, he gathers up his toothbrush, and his sister's, and throws them both in the bathroom sink!

My dentist has said that brushing is really important - even if done by force!

Original poster

flikka · 20/03/2008 14:25

So perseverance is key. That is an inspiring post kamsmum!

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Laugs · 03/04/2008 23:07

DD is 17 months and just this week has started allowing us to properly brush her her teeth. Until now she got VERY excited about the toothbrush but just liked to suck it really and did the mouth clamping thing. I suppose I decided that it was a good thing she liked it and didn't force the brushing bit too much.

My HV said that brushing isn't that important at this stage, it's more to get them used to it for the future. Having said that she has a few rogue opinions which normally suit me (I was over the moon when she told me to have a couple of glasses of wine when (breastfed) baby went to bed!) so that's not necessarily true!

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