Another case of the "ME DO"s

Brushing teeth was always been a relatively easy task for us. They seem to enjoy it. Now they want to brush their teeth every time they see the toothbrush and whine and cry if I tell them it's not toothbrush time. They're also not wanting any help now but they're by no means thorough with their brushing so it's a whole new battle. I tried giving them each their own toothbrush to practice with and then I have another that I use on them but they're still fighting me more times than not.

Please tell me this gets better...

 

I have to keep the toothbrushes hidden or it's the same thing. We have a compromise that works at tooth brushing time where they get to do it themselves first, and then Mommy or Daddy helps them to finish. Then we say goodbye to the toothbrushes until next time.

 

We had that issue too. So I bought some Dixie cups with cool designs on them. Their reward for letting me brush? They get a cup of water and can spit!!!! They love to spit, just like Mommy and Daddy do when they brush their teeth. But in order to get the cup and spit, they MUST let me brush (although I do give them a couple minutes each to brush their own teeth first before I step in). If mommy can't brush, no cup, no spitting. They caught on REALLY quickly!!!

 

we practice "playing dentist". I tell them the whole dental check up visit and mommy has to pretend to be "Miss G" our hygienist and check their teeth after I feel they've "brushed" long enough. I use the term "brushed" loosely. and when I check, they have to give me their toothbrush and lie down on the floor or in my lap with mouth open wide "like a hippo" so I can brush.

mine want to brush all the time and as long as they've eaten something I figure it doesn't hurt.

 

What was everyone's trick to get them to like brushing their teeth??? My girls HATE it and it's a big battle twice a day that I dread more than paying bills. It doesn't matter if it is an power brush, regular one, paste, no paste they scream and if I give them the brush they throw it on the floor and if I have to do it DH has to help...it's very frustrating.

Any pointers?

Alexis

 

1. Let them choose their new brush at the store.
2. Let them choose a toothpaste too.
3. Try the dixie cup trick I mentioned in a previous post.
4. Let them watch themselves in a mirror.
5. Brush your teeth all together at the same time, while they are watching you.
6. Spit together.
7. Sing songs (This is the way brush our teeth...)

 

Mine hate it...What I do is do it first,,,THEN give them to toothbrush to get the places "mommy missed"....The problem is, they want to take them to bed with them sometimes...I have given in on some nights due to the fact Im exhausted!!

 

Alexis, I started out with the Grins n Giggles toothpaste and blue rubber finger brush (from BRU) and they loved it from the beginning. I am not sure why ... maybe it's the feel of the finger brush on their gums and the taste of the toothpaste? Anyways, we worked up from that to real toothbrushes. I do the blue finger brush first then they get to brush on their own with their toothbrushes. It is a real pain though because they refuse to give up the brushes and they walk around with them. It's a matter of time before someone gets hurt. One of my DDs tried to brush her sister's teeth tonight and almost gagged her! But you can't take the brushes away or they go crazy. We have to wait until they get distracted with something else, then take them.

 

That's how it's always been for us too. They don't mind brushing, but they insist on doing it themselves, and all they do is suck the toothpaste off and then chew on the bristles. I have to pry the brushes out of their hands and then pin their hands down if I want to brush their teeth myself. I just try to get a few swipes in.

Fortunately, at least they don't want to brush ALL the time. Sometimes they will reach for the brushes when I'm washing their hands, but I just redirect. So far, that works.