brushing fights

[caro224]

Hello everyone!

My daughter is 17 months old and I brushed her teeth since her very first tooth. But lately she simply refuses to open her mouth for the brush. Or she sucks the yummie tooth paste from it and closes her mouth then. :rolleyes:
There is no way doing it properly and I've tried different brushes already. I don't want to make her open her mouth, I think that would spoil it forever.

Does anyone have any advice for me?? :confused:

Thanks :)

[zactyl]

You're right about not wanting to force her to open her mouth, it's not something you want to fight over. If she's really frustrating you, let it go, and try again tomorrow. It IS frustrating when you're trying to do the right thing for her and she is so ungrateful! :D
I tried buying a second toothbrush for my daughter to hold while I brushed her teeth, but she just wanted to hold them both. :rolleyes: Try doing it while she's in the bath, she'll be somewhat distracted and can't get away. :laughing:
Another suggestion is to let her have a turn at brushing her teeth first (without toothpaste) and then you have a turn. :thumbsup:

[pegasus]

I have some days when my son lets me brush his teeth fine, and other days I'm wrestling to get the toothbrush off him as he just wants to suck the brush. I was also told they don't need tooth paste till about two, so I've never used paste with him. (He was an early teether, and now has all of his 2year old molars too, but I figure while I don't have a hope of getting him to spit the paste out, I'll continue just with the brush minus the paste). As for suggestions with the brush - I let him have a brush, but wrestle it off him (if he's in that sort of mood) and tell him that we'll do it together properly, I figure the best way is to continue on and make sure he learns to get all of his teeth and not just suck the brush. Perseverence...some days he lets me, so I guess he's learning and will get it with time.;)

[the_queen]

Perhaps you could make a big game out of how you want to count her teeth? Dentists always do that with kids. Another thing I have done in the past with Vally is to say "I bet I can open my mouth wider than yours".

Or maybe she wants to do it herself? In which case you might be able to make a deal with her, she does it first then you finish it off, or you go first and then she finishes.

Good luck! :thumbsup:

[leenaomi]

Oh my god Carolin!

I was just about to post the EXACT same message as you! I also have a 17 month old daughter who changed her attitude about brushing overnight. From the minute she got her first tooth she has happily let us brush her teeth with toothpaste and suddenly the other day she just plain refused to let me in. I called the Child Health Advice Line this morning and the nurse told me to just let her play with the toothbrush with no toothpaste and every now and then try to sneak a few brush strokes in. This wasn't very successful! Now I'm going to get some different tasting toothpaste and I guess just persevere. I'm stressing about it because I don't want her to get cavities and she's been so good about brushing until now!!

Anyone have any wisdom? Should I be worried?

Naomi (33)
Lee (33)
Elizabeth (17 months)

[caro224]

Hi!
Ok, here's the update: I tried the teeth-counting today and she was so confused about me talking some really stupid stuff and making so funny faces, that she actually opened her mouth!:laughing: I don't think that'll last very long. Unless I make a complete idiot of myself every morning and evening...:ecomcity:
Unfortunately I gave her the tooth brush too often, it's boring for her already...

We'll keep trying...

Thanks for your advices and good luck for you, Naomi!!

[Twoterrorsmum]

Hi Carolin, Maybe you could try buying an electric toothbrush for her. My son and daughter use one each, (I bought them the Colgate kids brand priced around $8 to $10 from Woolworths/Coles or Priceline). My daughter went through a stage of not wanting her teeth cleaned, so a friend of mine suggested getting her the electric toothbrush. She just loves it!!!, I think it's the sensation and the sound of the toothbrush that she likes. She is just over two now and I let her clean her teeth first then I do it just to make sure she has cleaned every tooth. If you give it a go I'd love to know if it works for you as well. Bye!!

[bbem]

I had the same problem with DS. It got to be a problem as he developed gingivitis. The dentist suggested an electric toothbrush. We bought him the Colgate novelty one from the supermarket and haven't looked back. It helped that we use an electric toothbrush as well. The novelty factor worked a treat. The deal is that we have to do it for him first and then he can out on more toothpaste and have a go himself.

[kids]

My kids have never refused to have their teeth brushed - in fac they are the oppostie - they absolutely LOVE to have their teeth brushed.... so I am trying tothyink if what we did to ge thtem this way .. and all I can come up with is to make it fun. We have always let them brush their own teeth first, then mummy/daddy finsihed it off. It has never been a fight. We also let them have a toothbrush in the bath in the early days .. no need to now. Good lcuk and I hope itgets better fo ryou