Teeth Brushing...

Help I need advice on brushing one of my twins teeth. She wont open her mouth and when she does all she does is bite down...its getting such a battle one that I dont want her to win. Any tricks ?

 

Are you using toothpaste? My boys hated getting their teeth brushed and I literally had the gently sit on their bellies so they couldn't kick and turn over and hold their arms with one hand while I brushed with my only free limb. When we added the toothpaste it got easier because while they'll fight for a second when they see the tooth brush once they get the taste of the toothpaste in their mouths they give in and let you brush away.

Right now I am using facial expressions to show them what to do. Like if I say "open wide" or "ahhh" I will open my mouth so they know what they need to do. It works really good for us.

Good luck!

 

How about taking turns with her? Her turn for a few seconds then your turn. Then repeat.

 

This strategy worked well with my two. I also would let them try to do it themselves (even if all they did at the time was suck on the brush) and then I'd say, "Okay, Mommy and Daddy are going to go over your teeth) and they'd let us do it. Another thing is singing songs, my kids love to hear songs when they are brushing their teeth. Now that they are 3, they like to hear the rainbow song and a song about the laundry that DH made up. I used to brush their teeth singing the ABC's. Good luck!

 

We use the toothpaste with Thomas the Train on it....we let the kids hold the toothpaste while getting their teeth brushed, and this has worked! We tell them, you get to hold Thomas if you open your mouth! I think there are other characters too - Elmo, Dora, etc...

My son likes sharks, and my husband taught him to open his mouth WIDE to imitate a shark's mouth ! Now all we say is "shark mouth!" and they both open wide!

 

My girls used to like having their teeth brushed, but now not so much. I have one of those fake electric toothbrushes (the $8 crest spin brush-generic) and they always want to use mine, so I got them their own, and they like their teeth brushed again! I do keep normal ones on hand and do what PP said and let them do it too. Part of the whole teeth brushing is to realize it is a much longer process than doing it on your own- that helpped me be paitent with them so a lot less fighting to get the job done. While I know the automated tooth brush doesn't teach them to actually brush, I figure that I would rather have it done, than not, and technology will only improve as they get older...At the end of the day, their teeth are taken care of and that is what I care about.

I have always used toothpaste per their doctor's reccomendation (or floride treatment. I thought toothpast was easier.). Oh, and I just use the same toothpast I use. (Same with other bathroom products now too.).

 

My kids both love brushing their own teeth, but start to freak out after about 5 second when we do it. I tried games, songs, etc, but I got so tired of how long it took and that it was still SUCH a struggle! Now I just tell them that it's time to brush their teeth and every once in a while they happily cooperate, but most of the time they fuss and cry while I do it. But, this way it's over quickly and honestly I think they're going to have to learn that oral hygiene is not a game or an option! It has to be done. There are a few things in life that are just like that. No choice...just do it! I dunno. Anyhow, it doesn't take long, and yes they fuss through it, but then it's over and we always let them brush on their own before and after we do the "real" brushing.

 

I wish I had words of advice. This remains probably our biggest fight at the present time. Therefore, it does not get done as often as it should.
When I bring the toothbrushes out, they seem excited. Then, we get started and it turns into a battle for the toothbrush. I have tried using one and offering them another one, but it doesn't seem to work. What happens is they just push me away and want to do it themselves which consists of chewing on the end of the brush. They let me in for about two seconds and that's it. I have to have DH help me hold them, especially to do the top teeth, and they end up hysterical. This while my other LO is already crying because we didn't start with him.

We have their first dentist appt. in April. That should be fun !

 

:acute: I could have written this post! My guys have mostly hated getting their teeth brushed since we first started doing it, and it really hasn't gotten any better. ardon: Sometimes they cooperate, mostly they don't. At least when they're crying they open their mouths really wide so I can get their back teeth...:blush:

 

It has been a huge battle for us until recently. Dont know if it just finally clicked for them that it wasnt optional. But I did get them step stools for the bathroom, so now they brush in front of the mirror and get to get some water in a cup and spit. Also think it makes a difference when they see mom and dad brushing.

 

Its a fun game for us now. Every morning we go to the bathroom and everyone brushes. I do theirs for a few minutes each, then they get to do it. Then Mom brushes her teeth. The kids love it. try brushing in front of them. GL

 

Thanks everyone for your advice...!

 

The twins have been the easiest of my four about having their teeth brushed at this age (18 months). We use the finger toothbrush - like the kind you'd use for a dog (nice) and they love it - actually want to have their teeth brushed. It may not be as effective as a bristle brush, but it's better than nothing, which is what it came to a number of times when my other two were toddlers (and neither have had a cavity at age 3 and 6 now). And remember - their baby teeth will fall out one day, so don't stress too much!

 

as i am reading this post, i am wondering, should i be brushing my babies teeth? they are one yesterday? one of them has 6 and the other one has 8? when did you start?

 

I started brushing there teeth as soon as the first one appeared.