Toddler Tooth Brushing

I know it isn't easy, but if you lay your child down in between your legs-you can tuck their arms under your legs if they aren't helping. It is way better to brush their teeth than it is to have cavities taken care of when they are so little. I have a 19 month old and a 4 yr old and we toothbrush this way twice a day. I am a SAHM now but for the past 12 years I have been a pediatric dental assistant. It is really important you can see what you are doing so you can do a good job. One thing that is typically missed with kids that age is behind the front teeth and the gumline above the front teeth. Any teeth that are touching should be flossed also. We use little flossers made by dentek-you can find them in the dental section at Target or Wal-mart.
You can also let him take his turn with the flosser when you are done-same thing with the toothbrush, but it is better for you to have a different one than he uses for his turn b/c they chew them up in no time. Good luck! I know its not easy, but it sure beats having tooth trouble!

I know where you are coming from. My 2 year old is exactly the same way. Our pediatric dentist told me to pin him down, so we do. My husband holds him and I brush (or vice-versa). It seems a litte mean, but I would rather make my son a little angry for a minute or two than have him get cavities.

Hi, K.. There was a similar question posted a couple of months ago and it got a lot of great responses. If you do a search, I bet you'd find it. Good luck!

Hi K.!

Have you tried a Thomas toothbrush that sings? That way the only way he gets to hear the music is when you press the button. You can withhold music for brushing his teeth. Also, for flossing, are you using flossers? I use alligator ones, and my son does his flossing himself. Have you tried letting him brush them himself? After a little bit of this you will get to the point where he can brush your teeth at the same time you are brushing his.

J.
http://livetotalwellness.com/safemommy

I had a rule when my kids were little that he or she could do it themselves with a timer for one minute, then after that mommy got to brush their teeth for another minute.

I whole heartedly agree that you must do it, regardless of a battle or not. Because my daughters teeth are so close together and she is so petite in her jawline, I didn't floss like I should and she got cavities in between her teeth, not on the surface but in between. They are baby teeth no less!

Flossing is essential, especially if there is no spacing with his teeth. My son I can say I don't floss as often or regular like I do my daughters because he has wide enough spacing. I do it maybe three times a week. I have to help my daughter daily.

Thankfully my kids all loved the cool toothbrushes and the cool flavoried toothpastes and we didn't have a lot of issues. It totally helped me letting them do it themselves first.
I still have to have them lay in my lap to floss and sometimes it is a battle. Thankfully my daughter understands the necessity since she had the cavitites, hee hee. I also got them cool kid flossers they can use when they are like four or five.
Even if he struggles it is very important. I love the new flouride rinse stuff where they spit it out and can see if they didn't do a good job either. They are all big on doing it a second time if they missed spots! THANKFULLY!

Good luck, it is a phase and a power struggle, just one of those things that is important to do every day.