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They Hate Brushing Their Teeth! Any Tips?
12 posts on this thread and the last post was on November 25th, 2008 3:07 PM
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[Original Post] |
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My 2.6 year old and 14 month old hate having their teeth brushed? Anyone with any tips?

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 | Malica - November 13th, 2008 12:50 AM |
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What toothpaste are you using? The infant/toddler one I've been using tastes like apple/banana/corn syrup. I didn't realize it was so sweet tasting, no wonder my dd loves it.

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For your 14 month old you could try a finger brush, my dd prefers it over a regular toothbrush. I also agree the toothpaste has to taste good. My dd is 15 months and she also don't care for it at all, I started trying to make it fun so we brush our teeth together. I get my brush and her finger brush and she gets to help brush my teeth too. It gets a little messy. lol! But I can manage to get a few good swipes on her teeth by letting her think it is funny to do mine.

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 | jodie - November 14th, 2008 1:08 AM |
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I have a almost 3yr old and a 15 month old and they both really enjoy it. It wasn't always that way though. I really let them have a good go at it first then my 3yr old is used to it so he lets me do it and then I just tell my daughter it's mommy's turn and she lets me brush for a little bit (very little but it gets done). My son is using the floride toothpaste now but my 15 month old dd still uses the yummy swallow kind. I agree with kimberly to that they think it's fun when mommy brushes teeth with them! Good luck!

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 | eclipse - November 14th, 2008 2:56 AM |
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This is sort of embarrassing to say, but I brush my son's teeth in the bathtub. He brings his daba-dee with him (brush your teeth in toddler) and mostly chews on it, then I basically wrestle/brush his teeth. He usually lets me a bit, and he likes the starter toothpaste a lot...it has a picture of Thomas the Train on it, don't remember the brand. Couldn't use the finger brush anymore since he started biting the crap out of me LOL

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 | mary b - November 15th, 2008 8:40 PM |
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My daughter (20 months) is the same way, she fusses with me about her teeth...it makes me dread it but what i have found that works for her is singing...I tell her to sing and we just sing the word, "AHHHH " and hold at one note. I'm trying to teach her to brush and match a note too...Ahhhhh is good cause it makes them open their mouth...Good luck!

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OMG these ages sound so young - of course they don't like brushing! My dd finally came to terms with brushing only before starting school since we did all that "big school girl" preparation. A trip to the dentist helps, too, when the dentist (with asking him in advance) looks very close to your child face and says how important it is to brush his/her teeth twice a day, otherwise sugar bugs would have parties in their mouths.

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When we started this a year or so ago, it was a battle too, but my 2 yr old is now fine with it. I bought three different toothbrushes and he enjoys choosing which one he wants to use. Sometimes he wants Elmo other times he wants Little Einsteins. Worked for us- good luck!

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Thanks for the advice. I will try the tasty tooth paste. I've bought my ds a Spider man, Thomas and Spin brush type of tooth brush. He doesn't seem convinced by the actual brush. I've tried to make it fun too and nothing. I've just wanted him to brush minus the paste to start but I guess I have to put something on it.

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When did you al start brushing your lo's teeth? My daughter is a year, has two teeth that are mostly in now. Should I start the finger brush?

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I started brushing my daughter's gums at about 3 months when it seemed that she was starting to cut her teeth. It soothed her gums when I used the finger brush.

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Countrymom, yes you should get the finger brush. Thier teeth are just like ours and the milk is so bad for thier teeth I would definately start brushing as soon as they get teeth.

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 | AudreyC - November 25th, 2008 3:07 PM |
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My 2 year old dd generally doesn't care to have her teeth brushed even though I try to make a game out of it. She often bites down on the toothbrush or bites my fingers when she wants to be left alone. I'm hoping that as she gets older and learns to brush on her own that it'll be better.

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