Does Everyone Brush Their Toddler's Teeth as Recommended?

When my girls got teeth, we started brushing twice a day (after breakfast and right before bed). My two year old sees a pediatric dentist, and her teeth are in great shape. The more you brush, the more she will get used to it. For us, it is part of our daily routine that is non-negotiable. I admit that my two year old sometimes throws a fit at brushing time, but we ride it out until she gets brushed--no exceptions. Maybe let her choose her own special toothbrush and make it fun. We sing a tooth brushing song too. Good luck!

Hi,
Brushing teeth always seems to be a battle in my house. I have a 5 year old and a 20 month old. With the 5 year old, I only brushed her teeth at night at first, as she was so difficult with it. She also would not take any form of fluoride supplement. She has had 7 cavities. After lengthy negotiations and pleading, she now takes a fluoride pill and brushes her teeth twice daily without much grief.

With my younger child, who is also very difficult, I make sure to brush at least twice a day. She brushes (or chews the brush) first and then I make the attempt at brushing. I don't always do a good job, but at least she is learning that this should be done on a regular basis. She takes fluoride without any problems.

I have tried many methods, like taking turns, having them brush my teeth, brushing away the "sugar bugs". Some toddlers like to make a game of it, so that may work for you. It doesn't work with my younger one.

Keep trying to brush her teeth. I would also recommend talking to the pediatrician for a fluoride supplement, if that is appropriate for where you live. Although I feel that my 5 year old's teeth problems are probably genetic, I think that the fluoride would have helped.

Good Luck!
Jen

We do brush 2 times a day. Some days it is a happy time and other days not so much. Mine are 2 and 3.5. The older one does really well. One thing that worked for us was getting 2 sets of brushes - we probably did this around your daughter's age. She got a brush and we got one. We'd brush while they did so it kept them distracted.

Hi,
My oldest son is now nine and did not like getting his teeth brushed. I did brush his teeth once a day and tried not to give up hope. He is now cavitiy free and brushes twice a day. I wouldn't give up trying, but as they become old enough to understand more - it should be less of a hassle.

Hello Jin,
My name is M. and I am the mother of two boys one 20 months and one 10 yrs old. I brush my 20 month olds teeth 2 times a day. What I do it. I get the first brush and after that he fidgets so much I let him finish, which is sucking the toothbrush.

I did the same thing with my daughter and now she is 3 1/2 with caps on all but 4 of her teeth. I would start brushing at least 2x a day right away. If she don't like it, then tough. Idon't mean to sound harsh, but it's foir her best interest. My daughter went through alot of pain when she had to get the caps put on and I'd hate to see any other child go through that. I would also take her to a pediatric dentist if you think her teeth aren't as white as they used to be. That is the first sign of tooth decay for little ones.

I brush my daughter's teeth every night at bathtime whether she wants to try it or I have to force her to do it. My daughter will be 2 in a week and still takes a bottle at night so I feel that if I don't brush her teeth consistently everyday that she will get bottle rot or something.

Don't feel so bad, I'm in the same boat with you. My oldest (3.5yrs) has Sensory processing disorder. He has oral sensitivities and so toothbrushing was an absolute nightmare! None of the typical "tricks" worked, and to even get it in his mouth I'd have to hold him down, while he kicked and screamed. We only brushed his teeth once a week for a while (horrible, I know). Now he's getting a little better and it's not such a fight. We do it once a day in the evening now -same with my two year old. Keep trying, but don't beat yourself up! Good luck!

Hello Jin,

My daughter will be 3 yrs. old next month. We brush her teeth twice a day - in the morning after breakfast and at night before bed time. She knows the routine so that helps us keep up with it.

A couple of things that helped get her to "enjoy" it, if you will, was getting her a character toothbrush. Then we made up a song about getting rid of the "sugar bugs". We also allow her to brush first so she feels like she's a big girl and then me or my husband will brush again, to make sure she got all the "sugar bugs" ;-) Hope this helps! Happy brushing!

What I do is I take the tooth brush and I brush what I can unitl my 15month old decides he's had enough,I've made a game of it by brushing my teeth while he has his tooth brush and show him to say cheese and brush the fronts then I say ahhhhh and get the backs and so on it took a while but he's slowly getting the hang of it ..I Now he gets mad if I don't play our brushing game .. Good luck I hope it helps D.

i probably shouldnt be promoting bad oral hygiene..lol..but my son is 4 and even now he doesnt get his teeth brushed every day..its such a struggle...he is just starting to spit out the paste(cause docs said he should be using floride toothpaste now)but he will pick out a character paste,then when we get home he refuses to use that one...i am not buying fifty toothpastes..lol..i make sure to brush his teeth if we are going out(its easier cause he loves to go out so i use it as a bargaining tool)and i do try to do it every morning..but i dont do it after every meal...i know they sell those brushes that go on your finger for the little kids..they worked well with my son..he didnt like the toothbrush for the longest time...for infants, you cant use the floride toothpaste so technically even if you take a washcloth and go over the kids teeth, that is adequate enough...i read that it beomes more important to brush more often once the child is eating sweets and such... basically, i wouldnt feel bad about not brushing your kids teeth after every meal..i know you want to do whats best for your child but i really dont think its absolutely necessary and i have learned to pick my battles with my little one...if i push something he dislikes, he fights it even more and i dont need even more of a struggle each day..we do what we must..and try as much as we can but at the end of the day we will beat ourselves up for what we feel are shortcomings..regardless of the million other things we did above and beyond..good luck..and try not to be too hard on yourself...R.