My 2 Year Old Hates Toothbrushing

I work at a dental company and I ran into the same problem with my daughter. So I asked around and was told to try letting her brush yours while you do hers. I tried it 1 morning and from them on she decided she always has too. But at least I get hers done!! Hope this helps!

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I have the same trouble with my son! He is now doing much better at brushing the bottom, but still can't get him to brush the top and he pitches a fit when I try so I will also be trying some of these fabulous suggestions.

One thing I did do though is buy this toothbrush that I originally got at our dental office and now I have found them at Wal-Mart is this toothbrush where you hit the end on the counter and this light starts flashing. Both my kids know they can't stop brushing till the light goes out. They love it.

I have found a website that will tell you more about it... www.dentist.net/fire-fly-toothbrush.asp

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start a sticker chart for both of them. When your younger one see that the older one gets stickers and rewards, he will want the same thing. Its simple and the rewards dont have to expensive. Some reward ideas I use: pick the movie that night, an item at the store for a $1 or $2 (Walmart has a section of toys for less then a $1 which dont usually last long, however have favorite characters on them), a piece of candy or other treat. Also making teeth brushing a game helps too, and you should brush with them, even if you are going to have a snack later and have to rebrush them. This helped my 2 yr old. I also, when I help her, make her say cheese so I can brush her teeth closed and AWWW to open up. She gets the giggles with it. Good Luck!

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with my kids i bought some mouthwash stuff that showed them where they had to brush their teeth to get all the blue off and we started them a sticker chart for the days of the week and if they got stickers at least 5 out of the 7 days they would get an extra desert or something on sunday night, but you might want to try the mouthwash thing because if he sees how dirty his teeth are he might want to brush them more..

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Keep up the toothbrushing. He has to learn that this is something that he has to do, just like taking a bath. Sometimes it helps if you sing a little song while you brush or make a game out of it. Make sure you are using non-fluoridated toothpaste if he hasn't grasped the concept of spitting the toothpaste out. I always have my almost 2 year old lay down with his head in my lap - that way I can see where I'm brushing and do a better job. He doesn't it like it all the time either. It will get better as time goes on. I'm a dentist also - so it is so important to teach good oral hygiene habits while they are little. Hope this helps. M.

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Hi my son had this problem too for a little while. I bought the toddler toothpaste and put just a little almost non existant amount on his toothbrush and let him "brush his way" for a minute. Which was mainly sucking on the toothbrush. Then I would tell him it was my turn and use the correct amount of toothpaste. I would sing some silly song about brushing his teeth or tell him a silly story. Hope this will help and good luck!

Hi J.!
I'm always looking for unconventional ways for my children to learn, something out of the norm, but safe. Well, my kids LOVED to brush, but when my first grandson came along, you could just forget it!! One day, I pulled out a paper plate and a tube of toothpaste (don't ask me how I came up with this one, I have no clue! LOL!). I told my little Pooh to squeeze ALL the toothpaste out onto the plate. After he did that, I ran water over his hands and didn't dry them. Then I told him to make a mess with the squeezed out toothpaste. He had a blast!!!! There was all kinds of giggling. I let him go nuts! (Everything washes....) When he was still excited about the mess, I said, "Hey, Pooh! That's what happens in your mouth when you brush your teeth!" He was so in love with making messes that he actually started "making messes" in his mouth! He couldn't wait to brush after that. Yeah, it was messy, but that's a small price to pay to get him to brush his teeth...Just another wacky idea done with love....

Just Me!
S.

My son had the same problem! He is now 7 and brushes his teeth all the time! They recently went over it in school and I also bought non-flouride toothpaste just for him! He didn't like brushing the back at all and I had to do it. Sometimes it just takes someone else showing him. (Grandma, Grandpa, uncle, Aunt, cousin, etc...)

I am right there with ya hon. My two year old daughter won't cooperate much either. I find that tickling her gets her to open her mouth more so I can get in there. Another trick, if he won't let you brush his teeth, get a baby washcloth, cover your finger with it and rub his teeth a little bit. This will get the plaque off pretty well and he's probably not gonna fight you as much. Still try and get him to brush for consistancy's sake, but in a pinch it will do the trick.

That is a wonderful idea of him brushing your teeth. He can see what's going on and at this age they like to do things themselves. Also read books about teeth and what happens to them. That will help him see that other kids brush there teeth and he is on his way to being a big boy. When you do get his teeth brushed make sure you tell him how nice his smile is. If you can get others to tell him too that may help. Like at daycare ask them to complement him too. Take him to the dentist. If your dentist wont see him let him watch the older ones get there teeth cleaned.

I had trouble with my two year old as well. I took her to the dentist and had her teeth cleaned, and then they explained about "sugar bugs" and what would have to happen if and when she had some. As it turned out she had a couple. They fixed those, and after that she didn't want any more "sugar bugs," so she brushed them all away. I see Dr. Fackrell. He does a great job with my kids and myhusband. You could always try something like that.

One of my boy did this also. I was able to find some great childrens videos at Family Video. I think the name was Timmy the Tooth or something like that. It made brushing more fun. Maybe he is to young to understand it but it might be worth a try.

Try weekly sticker chart too. But don't give in.

Yes my 2 year old girl loves to play with her toothbrush, including brushing the TV screen and sucking down as much toothpaste as possible. Thank God we use Tom's of Maine all natural toothpaste! I figure as soon as she gets over her baby pms days, will see a more willing tooth brusher.

Don't worry to much!

D.

My boys are a bit older now, but the only I have ever been able to get them to brush is to have them use something that colors their teeth. The new plaque finder from Listerine is so much easier and less messy than the old chewables from when we were kids! The boys know exactly where to brush, and it makes this time so much easier!

Hi J.,

Have you tried a sticker chart? Each time the boys brush their teeth correctly, you can give them a sticker for the chart. Or draw a smiley face, or something if you don't want to buy stickers. When the chart is full they could get a prize, such as their choice of candy from the store or a new book.

You can find all sorts of charts at http://www.chartjungle.com

GOOD LUCK!!!

S.
http://www.cozyheartdaycare.com

I didn't let my kids brush thier own teeth until my youngest was five. My oldest was at least seven or eight before I quit brushing their teeth.

My youngest was born without enamal on his teeth so he has all caps on his baby teeth and his permanemt teeth are almost clear, not white. He brushes at least once a day for about three minutes. I try to remember to remind them to brush at night but I forget. I'm not good at brushing my own teeth. Let alone the kids. Good Luck, Oh has he been to a dentist, yet? He's old enough now. Like I said good luck.