15 Month Old Avoids Brushing Teeth-help!!!

Try letting her chew on her toothbrush. The last thing you want to do is make it a fight. I let my girls do that through the toddler years and between the two of them there has only been one cavity (they are 8 and 7). Also keep in mind that the teeth she has now are baby teeth and they are all temporary. Unless you are truly worried about cavities I wouldn't stress it too bad. It sounds like you don't allow a lot of "junk" in the house so that shouldn't be too much of a concern. When she gets a little older is when you should try to teach her a routine. Good luck!

Does she like princesses? Or any character that you want her to emulate. For example, we tell our daughter that Princess Ariel (her favorite) has beautiful white teeth and that all princesses brush their teeth (and tongue!) so that they can have a nice smile and no stinky breaths. That worked for us. We use the princess or whatever character in any scenario from "not whining" to "cleaning up" to "having good manners" etc.

My son did the same thing-liked it for awhile then fought me on it. It becomes a control issue when they fight for independence. I use to work for a pediatric dentist for 9 years, so I know how important it is to take care of those baby teeth. I couldn't let him win this battle no matter what. I started letting him brush my teeth a little and he thought that was fun. Then I let him brush his own for a minute then would tell him it was "Mommy's turn." I took him to the dentist when he was 2 for a checkup, just to make sure we were on the right track. He was fine. I brush his teeth every morning and every night before bed, whether he likes it or not. Anything that happens to the baby teeth can affect the permanent teeth. A LOT of parents think it's not worth the battle because "they are just baby teeth." They are "baby teeth" the kids will keep until they are between five and twelve years old-so they need to last awhile. My advise is to always brush the teeth you want to keep.

Hi there,
I have made it a habit since my daughter was very young (I started her at 8 months playing with a toothbrush)
I used to give her the toothbrush when she would finish breakfast and watching TV. Now that she is older (18 months) I tell her "it's time to brush your teeth". Then she will follow me into my bathroom and I give her her toothbrush and she brushes her teeth with me. She copies the motions that I use and it has seemed to work out well.
Also, my sister-in-law has her 18 month old stand at the sink on a step stool and does it that way. Usually, they like to imitate mommy, so maybe that will work.
Even with the brushing my daughters teeth, they are also a little yellow. I'm going to have to bring her to the dentist sooner then later. The yellow does come off....so don't worry about that. My SIN brought her 3 year old to the dentist yesterday (she also had yellow teeth) and it all came off. Yes, it was a fight to get her there, but once it was done, she had pearly white teeth again!

My daughter (now two years old) wouldn't brush either until we bought Thomas the Train training toothpaste. Now she thinks it's her toy, and actually wants to play with her toothbrush. Maybe if your child goes to the store with you and helps pick one out it will help.
Good luck!

E.,

Hmm... at first my son didn't like it but as we kept buying him the character tooth brushes and toothpaste. He started liking it.

No at 4 he brushes his teeth (I keep checking them when they start turning yellow if he missing certain spots and clean them with my wash hands and nails to remove the yellow)...

Believe it or not, he even gargles kids mouthwash after brushing...

Once they see that you keep that routine going every morning and every night, they also follow.

This is going to sound harsh but sometimes you just have to do it for them at all costs...

Good luck

C.

My son used to love having his teeth brushed. Unfortunately, I slacked off when we were all sick for a week. After that, he refused to open his mouth when he even saw me reaching for his toothbrush. I just bought one of the Baby Orajel Sesame Street Toddler brushes with the apple-banana flavored gum cleanser, and he lets me brush his teeth again in between chewing off the (swallowable) cleanser. I think it tastes gross, but I'm not a toddler. Apparently, he likes the taste. Whatever works!

have you ever let her brush her own teeth?. what i do with my daughter (whos 20 months and i started brushing at 10 months) is i brush her teeth then i left her brush her teeth while i comb her hair and what not. has your daughter seen a dentist yet? mine went at 14 months old. her dentist said to only use a floride tooth paste once a day and the rest of the time to use a non floride tooth paste. i hope this is helpful to you!

I received great advice from a dental hygenist mommy when mine were little (but older than yours) that she told her son that there are "sugar bugs" on his teeth and they have to brushed off or they would eat his teeth. At first I thought it might traumatize my kids but it worked like a charm. We sort of made a game out of it with my son and at age 7 he still would come up to me and show me his teeth and ask it all the sugar bugs were gone! You might try it when you think she would be ready. I know it is strange advice but it worked for me!

star chart. I made this pretty colorful star chart and got a big packet of starts at the stationary store. I explained the chart to her, told her what the words said and that when she brushes she gets to put a start on it and then we all jump up and down and clap, it's been the best thing ever. the electric brush helps too. after she's done doing her teeth (we brush together) then mommy gets her turn to "help" and then she gets the star. it worked miracles for us. good luck

Hello,
i just went thru the same thing with my daughter. my solution, i bought her a electric toothbrush. she loves it and it cleans her teeth better then her other toothbrushes. hopes this helps

Hi,
I haven't tried it, but I was told that if you use a puppet and sing a song, that can get the kids to do anything.
Try to let it be her idea to brush - that you're not forcing her to do it.
Good luck!

Brushing teeth has always been a battle in our home. It helped when I gave our daughter my toothbrush and told her to brush my teeth while I brushed hers. She mimicked the "eeee's and awe's that I did and we brushed each other's teeth. Yes, it was a bit messy but it worked.

Make it fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I let my daughter choose her own toothpaste and toothbrush and now she brushes her teeth probably 4 times a day! Also, we brush our teeth together every morning and every night... and she loves it.

Hi E.:
I've heard alot of mothers had success,purchasing an electric toothbrush for their toddlers.Theres an Elmo electric toothbrush out there, and it makes it more fun and it moved in the direction the children needed to learn to brush.Also,make sure and use a childs toothpaste. Something with a flavor she will love brushing with.Bubble-gum or fruit flavor. The experts say to stay away from any fluoridated toothpastes until your child is old enough to spit well. four years old would be safe. Toddlers accidently swallowing the fluoride,can be toxic to their kidneys,and believe it or not, can stain their teeth brown. What ever you do,don't allow teethbrushing time to become miserable, for her or a power struggle. The idea is to get her to enjoy it or find it fun.Brush your teeth with her,and make up a song! I wish you and your growing daughter the best.