Brushing Teeth of a 14 Month Old

M.,

At first I would lay my kids on their back between my legs (me sitting on the floor and their head between my thighs, their feet between mine), pin their arms under my legs and brush their teeth. If they'd clamp their mouth shut, pinch their nose for a few seconds and they'll open their mouths.

My older child has autism and is facially defensive and brushing his teeth was a real nightmare for a long time. But I didn't want his teeth to rot (he's 5 now and still cavity free!) so no matter how unpleasant, we brush teeth. My 2 y.o. was only resistent to brushing his teeth for about 2 weeks then he decided he didn't like being held down and now he just opens his mouth. LOL I also found that the kid electric tooth brushes with characters on them (Dora, Spongebob) helped a bunch. Both of my kids are more willing to brush their teeth with the electric toothbrushes.

T.

I would let him brush his teeth with me, and he'd get a few swipes in there but, his dentist recommeded following up with a washcloth during diaper change.

Now my son's got the hang of it and he loves it.

I am in the dental profession and I found brushing was a whole new ballgame when it was with my own child rather then my patients. After having a hard time with my little guy with a regular brush I bought him one of those Colgate spin brushes which he totally loves. No more battles. I've mentioned it to a few friends with little ones and it seems to heve worked for them too. Good luck!

I also used the finger tip toothbrush til about 13 months on my daughter. Once she began biting me, I stopped! I give her a toddler toothbrush and say, "brushy, brush." She will brush her teeth, but I feel that she is just playing with it. So I have to go in there sometimes and not willingly, hold her hands and make sure she opens her mouth. She will budge, scream and holler. But it has to be done. At 19months old, it sometimes get easier but other days and nights, we struggle.

Yes I do feel bad, but would I rather hava a child with cavities and unbrushed teeth..nope.

Try an electrical toothbrush...my daughter likes that one also...

Hi M.. I can tell you that both of my kids have made it impossible for me to brush their teeth and different times in their lives. My 20-month-old will let me "have a turn" now, but she wouldn't about 2 months ago. I think you're smart to start the routine, do your best, and not worry too much about it.

BTW, my 6-year-old wouldn't let me brush her teeth hardly at all until she was 5 and the dentist found a cavity. Now she reminds me to do it, and she hasn't gotten any more cavities.

With my son since the time he was about 15 months, I tell him that I need to brush his teeth but then after I am done he knows that he is allowed to brush his own teeth. Of course make sure he is sitting and not running around with the tooth brush due to danger. I think he enjoys the fact that he can be grown up and do it just like I can! Maybe this will help.

I would keep it up. He will get it in time. Try brushing his teeth a minimum of 3 times a day.
I gave my daughter a toothbrush since she was very young. I was hoping that she wouldn't give me a problem about it. Now, she stands in the bathroom and copies me brushing my teeth. She is 19 months old, and sometimes she doesn't want to do it. This is when a fight begins. Well, not a fight, I should say, this is when I start disiplining. She just needs to know, that this is something we do everyday....that's just how it is. If she is watching TV or playing withsomething she loves, I will tell her that "it is time to brush your teeth now, I will turn off the TV if you don't come into the bathroom with me now". It usually works because I have followed through many times and she knows that I mean business.
I can't say that this will convince your son to open his mouth, but it may help you in the future.
Good luck to you!

Great advise from the others.

what worked with my son, is we got an Oral-B "Pulsar" toothbrush. It cleans way better than an electric/battery toothbrush.

You go in quickly, hold him down, distract him, and brush away. My son loves this toothbrush. I also sing songs to the beat of my brushing, as I brush my son's teeth. This makes him laugh and open his mouth.

Also, what works well is the position while brushing.. for me, I sit my son down on the floor and I sit behind him with my legs straddling him.... then, with my left arm I cradle his head and with my right hand I brush his teeth. I tell him to "open big like a lion..." and then insert the toothbrush.. .and tell him to make "ahhhhh" sounds while I do it.

Good luck,
Susan

Momma M.,

You might try keeping the water running and giving him access. Savannah and I brush our teeth and she has a little stool that she grabs and places right next to the sink. She stands there and waits for mommy to put the toothpaste on the tooth brush. She knows that she can have the tooth brush and play a short while in the water with it provided mommy brushes her teeth first. She gets a little wet and has a little fun with very clean water and mommy gets clean teeth. She usually just continues to stick the tooth brush under the water and sucks it off. Every time we go into the bathroom it's "Mommy brush are teeth"? I know it is not green but that will be another lesson down the line. If you haven't tried babies signing, I would highly recommend it. Tooth brush was one of the first signs and words that she learned and she was excited to use it. I must say it helped her to want to brush her teeth. Good luck!

I wold brush her teeth first and have her stand on a stool just so she can see herself in the mirror. Then I have her say "cheese" so I can see all her teeth and I count to 5 while I brush her teeth. Then she opens up her mouth and I brush each quadrant while counting to 5. Then I have her do it herself- her turn! Now my daughter is 3 and I do the same thing, but count to 10.

Keep trying the regular toothbrush (I wouldn't dare stick my finger in there--ouch!)...YOU ARE DOING THE RIGHT THINGS. Like you, I also sometimes brush together with my 15mo old and I exaggerate opening my mouth and say "ahh" so she does it too--of course when I'm brushing, she's usually just eating/biting the bristles, but then when it's her turn, I say ahhh and brush her teeth while she has her mouth open. I try to make a game of it as much as possible. Brushing her teeth is part of her nightly bedtime routine, and whether she (or I) like it or aren't in the mood--we do it anyway, every night. I found that when I'm tired and frustrated, she often gets more difficult to work with--does she imitate my negative energy or is it just my perception (chicken/egg?)... doesn't matter, just try to not get frustrated, then smile and keep doing it.

...oh yeah... has it always been that way or just recently? He could give you a difficult time if he's teething and it hurts. If you think that's the case, just be gentle and quick, but keep up the routine.

What a lucky boy to have his parents with him every day!

Sounds funny but my 14 m old girl kept taking her big sisters spin brush and chewing it. She likes the vibratiion and while it's in her mouth and spinning around it has to be brushing something. Then I say all done....grab it do a quick swipe of all the teeth and put it away.