Comments on: Toddler toothbrush torture

By: rozalynn_goodwin

rozalynn_goodwin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:35:56 +0000

Thanks, Julie! I’ll try that this weekend. When did you take him to the dentist? My pediatrician said to wait until she’s about 3 and can sit “still” in a dentist chair. My dentist said the same, but a children’s dentist told my husband we should have had her at the dentist before now.

By: Julie

Julie — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:06:46 +0000

I say choices choices choices–we went to the store to buy the toothbrushes and the toothpaste. My 2 year old picked 2 of each and he loves deciding each night if it’s going to be the Diego toothpaste or Thomas…the Scooby Doo toothbrush or Cars.
Then I let him “brush first” which basically means he eats the toothpaste but we’re getting better with more action happening on the teeth themselves. Then I say it’s Mommy’s turn and he opens wide.
This all went a lot smoother after the dentist visit because he had to sit in the chair and open wide so now he “gets it”.
Good luck! Isn’t parenting fun! ahha

By: rozalynn_goodwin

rozalynn_goodwin — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:10:00 +0000

Great feedback and suggestions! Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

By: SC Mom

SC Mom — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:24:49 +0000

Have you tried letting her play/practice brushing a doll’s teeth? Or maybe let her try brushing your teeth, while you brush hers. One thing I’ve read is that some young children don’t like the taste of toothpaste. It sounds like you may have tried switching that up, but if you haven’t, that might be worth a shot. There are some more ideas here: http://www.whattoexpect.com/toddler/behavior/resisting-toothbrushing.aspx

By: stephanie_trevitz

stephanie_trevitz — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:24:43 +0000

Rozalynn, I had the same type of problem with some of my kids when they were younger. And you know what? I finally decided that it was to my advantage for them to scream when I brushed their teeth because their mouths were open wide and I could see every tooth. And eventually, when they realized I wasn’t going to play and they were going to get their teeth brushed one way or another, they generally gave up on the “show”.

I have a child who I am in the process of adopting who fought her biological parents when they tried to brush her teeth, and they gave in. She screamed at the dentist office, so they would pick her up and take her out. And she had no dental care. And by the time she got to me, she had teeth rotted down to the gums. We’re still trying to repair some of the damage done.

Teeth brushing, to me, is kind of like vaccinations, flu shots, and the like. The kids may not like it, but it’s just too bad. And the sooner they learn that some necessary things in life are uncomfortable or even hurt a little bit, they better off they are.

So, you keep prying and brushing, and she’ll learn that there are some non-negotiables in life. Dental care is one of them.