My daughters have always resisted cleaning their teeth, they all need reminding despite being old enough to know that the routine is morning and before bed. They know this.
So my eldest is 12, tonight I asked if she'd cleaned she said yes, I smelt her breath she was lying so I asked her to go and clean them. She hid under her duvet, I pulled the duvet off and says calmly go and do your teeth. She refused.
I marched her into the bathroom, guiding her elbow put the brush in her hand and still I'm faced with mouth clamped shut and refusal so I held her nose until the mouth had to open and cleaned her teeth. I was as gentle as I could be and am sure I didn't hurt her but Christ it shouldn't be like this at 12 should it ?
I cannot do this twice a day.
The other kids are better, but wouldn't voluntarily go in the bathroom and clean their teeth without reminders.
And the younger two gave both had painful dental work so maybe they have learnt their lesson because they don't ever refuse.
None of them like tooth paste so we've had strawberry flavour, orange and currently are using pearl drops at great expense as its acceptable.
I'm so fed up of this battle. Has anyone else had this ?