Should It Be This Difficult to Brush My Son's Teeth???

Are you using any sort of toothpaste? I think we use an "Earth's Best" organic toothpaste. It is flavored and my son (14 months old) - loves to have his teeth brushed - so that he can suck off the taste of the itsy-bitsy bit of toothpast thate is on his brush. It allows me to get some brushing in as well. We then finish the routine with a drink from a cup in the bathroom (drinking from 'normal' cups and not a sipp cup is still special.

Good luck!

I'm sure you got a handle on the brushing of his teeth, but the advice I got from another mom was to buy the battery operated ones. WHAT A GREAT IDEA. My son will play with it a bit and then when I ask to take over so that I could finish brushing his teeth - he hands it over. No complaints.

Go to Hobby Lobby or somewhere like that and get a stamp. Everytime my son lets us brush his teeth he gets a stamp on his hand. He loves getting the stamp more than he hates brushing his teeth. Works for us, for now.

My four year old (turns 4 on Sunday) HATES to brush his teeth. Just yesterday we had a "war of wills" which was awful, but it really turned into him not obeying me. I don't think we did anything different with him or with our 9 year old. Our 9 year old started to get better about it after someone came to his school and gave them those red tablets (do you remember those) that when you chew it shows you where "Mr. Plaque" lives. Now he brushes regularly. So, it may take some time, (not encouraging...I know) but eventually they will get it.

Good Luck
M.
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My son is 5 now and we didn't really start brushing his teeth till he was 2-1/2 - 3 yrs. of age, he goes to the dentist every 6 mos. & always has great check-ups !
I would not try and brush your childs teeth every night, with him acting like that he will get a complex when he does get older ! just let him go till he is older, still to young for all that ! Good Luck !
Also try one of the electric tooth brushes, the kids love them ! ...

When I first started brushing my son's teeth, he fought alot. So I started letting his play with it when I was done that way he would get used to it. Now, he loves it and gets really excited when it's time to brush his teeth.

We syarted brushing my sons teeth around 10 mo, and he is now very into it. If your son is teething and likes to chew on thing maybe try giving him the tooth brush and letting him do it himself. We sing a little song "brushie brushie brushie" and brush for him just to get to the teeth and then we let him have the tooth brush. Believe it or not they are still being hygenic when they do it themselves, and may be able to get more accomplished then when you try.

My son has grown to love brushing his teeth and now we have a harded time getting the brush away from him that anything.

Good luck!

This worked with both my kiddos, b/c they like to be in control!!:

Give the toothbrush to him first and let him put it in his mouth and "brush"....I always did it after bath while they were laying on the changing table & I was drying them off. He will most likely just chew or suck on it, but it's a start!! Then, when he's done it a while himself, say "OK, now mommy's turn!" and see if you can get a couple of swipes in. Usually, their teeth are set far enough apart that you don't have to scrub much...just a quick little brush will do. Good luck!

Have you gotten him cool toothbrushes? I get my son (age 3) all different kinds of character toothbrushes, & I get him the battery operated ones. They also have ones that light up (by Dr. Fresh I think), & they have ones that play music (you can get at Toys R Us, Walmart,...).

I also told my son that there are sugarbugs in his mouth that eat his teeth, & if he doesn't brush, that his teeth will hurt him. I told him that if his teeth get eaten up, then they will fall out, & he won't be able to eat. I've been telling him this since he's had teeth.

Hi N.,
I know exactly what you're going through.....I've had the same problems with my son since tooth brushing first started. He's now almost 2 and it still continues.
We've tried every different way to brush his teeth...if my Husband wasn't around to help I'd have to get my 6 yr old to help distract him or hold his hands so he doesn't yank the toothbrush out.
I'm very gently with him but he still just hates having his teeth brushed.

The only thing I've been able to start doing that's helped me "a little" is after I get him out of the bath at night and have his arms still wrapped up in the towel, I'll sit him on the bathroom counter and brush his teeth. I have my 6 yr old brush hers at the same time so he can watch big sister at the same time and realize that someone else has to do the same time......it seems to be helping but he still whines about it.
Maybe you or your husband can brush your teeth at the same time so he can see someone else doing it as well....it really is a good distraction.
I wouldn't worry that your little guy will become scared of the toothbrush, when he understands a little better, he'll relax more.
He's just to little to understand right now that what your doing is good for him.

I hope you get some great advice because I know this is a tough battle with kiddos! : )

Good luck to you and keep up the good work.

It is really hard to brush my 11 month old's teeth also. We try different games to help. The one that works best is to "tickle teeth". We start by using the toothbrush to tickle her cheeks and chin and ears etc and eventually tickle her teeth. Hope this is helpful (it only works about half the time .) Good luck.

You are not alone! I have an 18 month old and we have the same problem! The only advice I have is to not give up - and to maybe let him hold the toothbrush and you just manuever it. I try to get a few swipes in by myself and then let him hold it and try to stay as cheerful and calm as I can and try to finish the job. And right now I just don't give him any sweets in hopes that the decay will be less.

My son hates having his teeth brushed too. I started early when he was an infant brushing his gums with one of those soft gummy brushes so he would be used to the idea as he got older. NOT! I think he hates the taste of the toothpastes. I'm not a fan of fruity toothpaste, but what can you offer a 3 y/o that is safe???

There is another thread on here about this subject that has Elmo's phone number. I tried that too. "Brush your teeth and we can call Elmo!"

It is great that you are starting to brush his teeth early. I agree with the other mom. Taking turns works great. It also helped to take kids to the dentist early. My kids know that if they don't brush their teeth they will get cavities. My sons are 2 1/2 and I took them to the dentist as soon as they turned two. The doctor explained to them that they can get "Ouchies" in their teeth. When they fuss, I remind them what the doctor said. Your little one may be to young to understand. But just keep it up.

My 16 month old doesnt like me to do it...so I try at first to brush them. Then I give her the toothbrush and she will chew on it and move it around herself. We give her praise and tell her Good Job your brushing your teeth!!!

It works for us...she is aserting herself and wants to do things herself.

Hi! My son seems to go through rotations of me letting him brush his teeth. Sometimes, he lets me do it easy and he wants to help. Most times I can't get the toothbrush near his mouth. Right now he has to hold my husband's and my toothbrushes. Then I can use his toothbrush to do his teeth (Kinda. He has been trying to brush my teeth with one of the toothbrushes or his own with one of them. It is a little gross, but I don't mind. It is only for a second. I got some good advice about this subject, and I think really just get them used to the idea of doing it. I try befoer his morning nap and before bed. You have to pick your battles with it. For me it isn't worth it to fight with him. He knows what brush your teeth means, so we will get there one day. You will too! Maybe get him to drink a little water before bed to wash his mouth out and don't give sweet stuff. Good luck.