Hi, i've been having problems brushing my daughter's teeth. she's almost 15 months old, but has 12 teeth already. honestly, i don't do it at all. she just won't let me. i tried brushing her teeth after showing her how i brush my teeth (i tried this for about a week) and she just flips out because she wants MY toothbrush, and i would use hers, but i just don't think that's very healthy). she doesn't want me to brush her teeth at all! she will though allow me to brush her tongue, but the moment i try to sneak the brush to her teeth, she freaks. i do have that mock toothbrush that's a lil rubber thing with soft bristles that you put on your finger, and she's always using that, but not the proper way. when i wipe her mouth after a meal, she insists on me wiping her tongue, so i try to wipe her teeth too while i'm "allowed" in that area, but i would like her to actually get a proper brushing in. i talked to my mother, and her pediatrician. they both say that as long as it's something, don't worry. but last night i was bathing her, and she bit down on the washcloth and there was blood (from that piece of skin between the 2 front teeth) i was thinking that it may be gingivitis ( i know when i don't use lysterine i get it, and my gums bleed). so i was thinking that this finger toothbrush just isn't doing the job! is there anyone out there with any suggestions on how to get her to use the proper toothbrush, and actually brush her teeth, and not just her tongue? and a way to get her to brush with me, and not flip out for not being allow to use mine? any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
I am having the same problem with my two year old. She refuses to brush her and all she likes to do is suck the toothpaste off of the brush. People have told me to let her pick out her own toothbrush @ the store and maybe that will help you so give it a try and let me know how it works out and if you some good advice please pass it along!
My dauther is 18 months and what I did was I put her on the bathroom sink and I was brushing my teeth and kept on saying "teeth" she eventually caught on. We always when she started talking always said where is your teeth? and she would show me so, I truly believe that mine brushing her teeth was from that. So, Now I sit her on the potty and she lets me brush her teeth and then I let her do it until I can finish brushing my teeth. With what someone said below it is importan so try to do it by force or try to find fun games to play with her...Good luck toddlers are so hard to deal with
I think that more attention to brushing teeth should be made. I work for a dentist and we see kids come in with lots of decay and parents who feel it's only baby teeth no big deal. It is a big deal. I would honestly say if your toothbrush is what's going to get her to brush her teeth give it to her. You can always hide another one that you actually brush your teeth with. My son was fascinated with my toothbrush so I let him use it and I brush my teeth in the shower. I f you are still not having luck with actually brushing the teeth make sure you use a kids mouthwash. Try act for kids that's what my dentist recommends.
Honestly, when my son was very young I had the same problem. I used to wrap a clean washcloth around my finger, shove it into his mouth and wipe his teeth clean. It was quite an ordeal. Eventually, he became okay with it. Now he's four and brushes on his own.
Remember, it's more important that her teeth get clean than what is used to clean them.
I'm not sure how old she is. Have you tried toothbrushes and toothpaste with cartoon characters on them? My son loves those things. I also buy the fruit flavored toothpaste as the mint varieties can be too harsh a taste for them. I let him brush himself as well. My rule is that I brush to the count of ten (slowly) and then he can use the brush after. If she wants you brush maybe try and get one that looks just like yours and when she asks say ok, turn your back to her and switch them out. Tell her she can only use "your" brush if you can brush her teeth. Hope some of these tips help you.
Try taking her to pick out her own toothbrush and toothpaste at the store. When my son was young he picked out his and he wanted to brush 5-6 times a day, I had to stop him because too much brushing can eat away at the enamel. But to this day he still loves to brush, currently using spiderman toothbrush and toothpaste.
Best of Luck,
K.
There are two things that I have tried, that seem to work for my daughter:
1. Sit her facing you and let her brush your teeth while you brush hers. You'll find that when you open up and say "ahhh" or "cheese" she will start to mirror you. She will be concentrating on brushing your teeth and it will take the focus off of hers.
2. Now that my daughter is a little older (but still a little reluctant at times) I let her look at herself in the mirror while I brush her teeth. I encourage her to make silly faces. She likes that!
I also have found that when I immediately start to praise my daughter "WOW! You are doing such a great job tonight with your teeth!" "You're the best!"... she opens her mouth wider and will tolerate a longer brushing.
Hope that helps...good luck!
How old is she? When she uses your brush does she actually brush her teeth? If she does I would suggest buying a soft bristle adult brush and letting her use that. And if she only wants it when you are using it I would suggest brushing and rinsing yourself so your mouth is fairly "clean" and then bring her in and start to use the brush intended for her, she will want it and it will be a bit more sanitary. I still use the finger brush for my 13 month old, but she also has a toddler brush that she uses, and she actually tries to brush her teeth(she only has 2). Before she had her toddler brush I would give her an adult size one. Good Luck.
Hi, I had that problem with my daughter when she was two years old, what I did is I got three baby toothbrushes (that ones for 2–3 years old) the same color same picture in the brushes I’ll give her a bath and a baby doll then I’ll told her to use one to brush her baby I show her how by brushing my teeth with the other, and when ever she started brushing her dolls teeth I brush hers. Also use children’s toothpaste my daughter love the princes one. Good luck
Dear Q.,
My daughter is 23 months old and she will not let me come near her mouth! She will chew on a toothbrush but that is all. I have read that the dentist can apply a flouride treatment so that you do not have to brush. I am considering this myself. Perhaps that will work for you and your daughter, also.
All the best,
S.
My daughter loves to brush her teeth because I let her think she is using my toothbrush. I keep a cup with several adult toothbrushes and child size toothbrushes by my sink and she comes into my bathroom when I am getting ready in the morning and wants to pcik the toothbrush she is using. Just keep your toothbrush tucked away in the medicine cabinet and brush when you have a minute to yourself! I also find she love the flavor of childrens toothpaste, try some different brands.
Good Luck.
NOt sure how old your daughter is but try going tooth brush/paste shopping with her. Let her pick out a few brushes and then buy a/some brushes that are identical. Give her one and you use the other. Maybe with the same brushes it will be fun for her and alleviate a problem. Maybe a DVD on brushing. My son loved a segment on BEar and the big blue house on brushing. See if there is a favorite character with a DVD on teeth/brushing. Good luck!
ok first thing first... the bleeding.. could it have possibly been from her hitting her mouth? my daughter fell around that age and hit her mouth and bled from the same spot.. the next day she slightly hit it again and the same thing happend. okay... if it isnt due to toddlerness then i would suggest that when you brush her tounge make a game of it. my daughter did the same thing for a while... she would just let me brush her tounge then suck the toothpaste off cuz she liked the taste... but then i started getting her to laugh when i did it so i was able to get her mouth open and i would say something silly like "brusha brusha brusha... lalala..." silly things that would get her to laugh.. and keep her laughing.. it ended up be a game with her..now she begs me to brush her teeth every day lol... good luck... o and try to vary up the toothpaste.. maybe she doesnt like the taste? okay. good luck.. let us know!!!
L.
