Looking for Advice on Brushing a Toddlers Teeth

Updated on April 23, 2009
A.M. asks from Appleton, WI
3 answers

I have an almost 2 year old who used to love to brush her teeth, but lately she NEVER wants to brush them. I see her bottom teeth getting food stuck in them, and really try to get in there but she fights me terribly. She used to love to play in the water, and brush them herself for a little while, then she would let me brush them for her but lately it has been a real struggle. Does anyone have any suggestions?

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C.F.

answers from Rochester on

I have a 3 1/2 year old, and this has been a struggle for me, too. I've used a few different tactics, depending on her mood and what seems to be working at the time (and her age). There have been a few times that I've had to hold her down and brush because I don't want her to get gum infections or other problems, but I rarely have to do that now. I let her brush her teeth on her own in the morning, and I brush them at night after she's had "her turn". I bought Tinkerbell toothpaste (it's pink, and she loves Tinkerbell) and a let her pick out the color of toothbrush (or character). I've used the count to 10 method- where I brush as I'm counting to ten, and when I get to ten I stop. That way she can see an end to it, and if she clamps down on the toothbrush I stop counting. Now she asks me to count! I've also used the "sugar monsters"! I told her that I had to get all the sugar monsters that were running around in her mouth. (Oh, I see one way back there- Oh, I got it! Oh, there's a pink one!) She thinks this is fun- and even calls out colors of the monsters now. It works for me- and trust me, my daughter used to absolutely refuse to open her mouth for me. A little creativity was all I needed! Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

sounds like she is exerting her independence!
i have an almost 2 year old and a 4 year old, and even though it bugs me, i never push or force toothbrushing. i want them to love taking care of their bodies, and if i let them do it themselves, i'm hoping that it will work. we have a little hand mirror that i hold for the 22 month old, so she can watch herself brush. but that's as much as i do....other than trying to be really enthusiastic about it myself!

1 mom found this helpful
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E.M.

answers from Des Moines on

electric toothbrush!

1 mom found this helpful
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