Cleaning teeth ... or not!

[Mumtooneboy]

Like others on here, I'm fed up with the battle to get DS anywhere near his toothbrush. Even when he says he has cleaned his teeth, his breath still smells. Hmmm 🤔
So ... I have come across Smart toothbrushes. As I see it, I ought to be able to put an app on my phone so that I know that he has cleaned his teeth.
Does anyone else use these for this reason? Any recommendations? 🙂

I don't think you need a Smart brush, that just sounds like a gimmick to be honest. With my DS I just used to take note of the position his toothbrush was in eg. I would face it in a particular direction before he got up. If it was still in exactly the same place and not damp then I would know he hadn't brushed. Totally up to you whether you tell him these detecting methods when you are having the 'no you haven't brushed them argument'!

You have my total sympathy by the way, I had 2 years of stress with DS after he had braces fitted, he WOULD NOT brush his teeth properly, if at all and I had endless strong words with him until in the end I just gave up as it was causing me too much stress. Eventually he grew up at then age of 19 ( !!) and started to brush. Good luck.

I just look at the brush to see if it's wet. If he's not done his teeth it'll be dry.

Mine thinks he is very clever, will use the toothpaste, get the brush wet and run the tap.

He forgets I can also hear the lack of actual brushing noise.

Teen 0 - Parent 1

Cunning! Mine's more slobby than he is devious though if he can't be bothered to clean them he can't be bothered to wet the brush either

Firefliess mine did the same with baths, would run bath, then wet down hair and arms over the sink while wrap in a towel and declare he was done.

Shame he forgot that the soap smells and you also have wet feet/legs when getting out of a bath, not just wet arms and damp hair.

Teen 0 - Parent 2

I'm sure he's done more but can't think what else right now.

Thank you. Problem is he is devious. He can wet toothbrush etc etc and can hear it but his breath still smells like ......
We went for the app brush and an agreement to pay him extra if he brushes twice a day for a whole week with money off if he goes a day with no brushing. It's up to him to make sure it's connected to the app. Early days ... We'll see!

One of these signs?

I don’t know why but I hated brushing my teeth as a teen for a while/ even though I used to love makeup and took pride in my appearance. I have since spent years taking care of them but I’m convinced those years did irreparable damage. I had to have so many fillings. Not only is it stupid as I can’t replace my teeth but it has cost a lot of money.
Must be hard to watch your child damage themselves in that way

Exactly. Other stuff ... Baths etc, I would let go, although he's not bad at those!

Just muddling ... Love it. Need one of those!!