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Parenting

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Original poster

brushing one year olds teeth

18 replies

pud1 · 24/02/2009 14:12

my dd loves to suck or bite her tooth brush but will not let me brush her teeth. other than pinning her down and forcing her ( not going to) does any one have other suggestions

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

EyeballsintheSky · 24/02/2009 14:13

I wish someone would tell me if they do! Also have 1 year old who likes to chew toothbrush but won't let me actually brush. It's a PITA but I'm trying not to make an issue out of it.

countesscaloriecounter · 24/02/2009 14:17

My ds is exactly the same. Any advice gratefully received.

rubyslippers · 24/02/2009 14:18

apparently chewing is ok

there was an live chat with a dentist a while back so if you search the archives you may find it

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rubyslippers · 24/02/2009 14:18

apparently chewing is ok

there was an live chat with a dentist a while back so if you search the archives you may find it

wishingchair · 24/02/2009 14:20

You just have to go through that phase of pinning them down and forcing them IME! It's really important you get to do a quick brush ... just don't labour it.

But if you really don't want to do the quick brush whilst they're shouting, you could try asking them to be a crocodile, or other betoothed scary animal. We used to look for all the food she'd eaten that day ... "ooo look there's the potato (brush brush)" ... that kind of thing. Or we used to brush out characters from fave books/TV shows ... "iggle piggle's hiding". Eventually they let you just get on with it. Even with DD1 who is 6, she brushes first then we 'check' (i.e. do proper brush).

TickleMe · 24/02/2009 14:21

She sucks it chews it but I cant brush her teeth without being cruel and making her cry.

Surley that cant be good?

MarlaSinger · 24/02/2009 14:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Indith · 24/02/2009 14:26

We do games, brush teeth together etc but ds still ends up getting pinned down. He screams but I'd rather pin him down at home for 2 mins a day than pin him to a dentist chair while they shove a needle in him followed by a drill.

4andnotout · 24/02/2009 14:30

I just bear hug dd3 (16 months) to my chest and brush away, at the end of the day she needs them brushed and cant do it herself so i have to.

Tillyscoutsmum · 24/02/2009 14:32

I was concerned about this as well. A dentist told me not to worry too much until they're about 2. Chewing is fine until then and its more just to get them into a routine of toothbrushing rather than doing it "right" iyswim. DD started to allow me to brush hers properly from around 19 months (we use 2 brushes, she uses one and I use the other)

Lizzzombie · 24/02/2009 14:36

I have found that with my DS (2) its all about choice.
We have 2 toothbrushes for him & two types of toothpaste.
Rather than say "do you want to come and brush your teeth?" - which will always be met with a NO!
I ask him which brush he wants - big or small brush.
& which colour toothpaste he wants. He is much better when we do it this way.
If not then I just have to pin him down and do a quick brush.
Also....I always try to get him to eat a banana towards the end of the day as they contain some special 'natural plaque remover' apparently.

EyeballsintheSky · 24/02/2009 14:36

I'm looking for an Igglepiggle toothbrush...

Problem with doing them at the same time is that DD is obsessed with my mouth, loves putting her fingers in my mouth so she tries to put her toothbrush in my mouth and vice versa.

wishingchair · 24/02/2009 14:38

I know a 3yo boy who has gum problems because of teeth not being brushed properly. I agree with Indith ... 2 mins of crying is better than rotten teeth and all the pain and crying that goes with that.

Bubbaluv · 24/02/2009 14:40

Eyeball, use that to your advantage. Get her to brush your teeth while you brush hers!
DS can't concentrate on fighting me if he is concentrating on brushing my teeth/face.
The 2 toothbrush technique is the other one that works for us.
Don't do it in the bath as it just ruins the happy bathtime and if he struggles he falls underwater and scares himself.

stealthsquiggle · 24/02/2009 14:42

Have you tried one of these chewable toothbrushes?

(I still have to wrestle DD (2.4) sometimes but it worked when she was 1 )

countesscaloriecounter · 24/02/2009 15:25

Thanks for the link Stealthsquiggle. I've ordered one, and we shall see how it goes.

HensMum · 24/02/2009 15:34

Two toothbrushes is a good tactic as is changing toothbrushes frequently - DS likes the novelty of a new one and will let me use it.
Also, letting him brush one of his toy's teeth sometimes works...but sometimes he gets too into that and won't let me put the toothbrush in his mouth.
I try coercion first and if all else fails, he gets the bear hug and brush technique. It's too important not to do and he gets over it very quickly.

EyeballsintheSky · 24/02/2009 15:38

We have brushed Upsy Daisy's teeth once or twice...well her nose really. DD's aim isn't too good yet

Now I have to steel myself to let her brush my teeth!

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