Thursday May 20, 2010
The Task Of Brushing A Toddler’s Teeth
We’ve watched our two year old son go from gummy grins to cheesey choppers in less than 18 months. We couldn’t wait for the day that his mouth would be filled with teeth. One thing that never crossed our minds? The task that would come with brushing a toddler’s teeth. We’d grab him a cute toothbrush and some tasty toothpaste and everything would be all gravy.
Wrong.
He loves his big boy toothbrush and he loves his strawberry flavored toothpaste. So much so that he has to bite down on the toothbrush once he gets a taste of this fruity deliciousness.
We start with brushing his bottom teeth as quickly as we can. He gives us a smile and a “yum”. He’s such a ham. This is when he starts biting down on the toothbrush. This is now crunch time. We try everything to get him to open his mouth including tickling and flat out prying his mouth open. He begins to whine, sometimes we can sneak in a brush between wails, and toothbrushing time is over. Every day and night is somewhat of a struggle.
Because we aren’t sure if we’re getting every morsel of food when brushing, especially from his top teeth, we limit sweets and push water. Luckily, he loves water and hasn’t developed a sweet tooth or a cavity. His teeth are so precious, so whatever it takes to protect them, we will.
Edit: We let him brush on his own, but he’d continue to ask for more toothpaste for hours if we let him.
What are some things that you do to make toddler toothbrushing time easier? What do you do to encourage good oral hygiene?
- Category: Parenthood
- (19) Comments
The Task Of Brushing A Toddler’s Teeth | Sophistishe
May 20th, 2010 at 2:40 am
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Sheliza
May 20th, 2010 at 8:02 am
I have been so lucky with Willie (so far). He LOVES getting his teeth brushed and would do it all day if you let him. Only problem recently is he does not make the teethy smile to properly get his fronts. he has his moments.
Enjoyceinglife
May 20th, 2010 at 10:18 am
Hi! I was lucky too that my daughter loved getting her teeth brush. One thing that helped was at night when we weren’t so rushed, I’d let her brush first and then I’d brush. And you can even alternate. Have him brush while you count to ten and then you brush while you count to ten. Or five, if ten is too long. My daughter is extremely independent, so anything I’m able to do that supports her doing something by herself, works for her. Hope this helps!
Naomi
May 20th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Jasper loves playing with the toothbrush but he still isn’t doing such a hot job with making it connect with his teeth. I was hoping he’d learn from Roo but he mostly likes to swish water around in cups and wave the toothbrush like a sword. Sigh.
Jennae
May 21st, 2010 at 7:31 am
Ja’Naya loved brushing her teeth, but our biggest problem was that she would swallow the toothpaste. We had to use “practice” toothpaste without fluoride for a while (since fluoride is poisonous). Finally, we got her to spit it out by making a game of it. I’d brush my teeth at the same time and see who could finish and spit it out first.
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July 3rd, 2010 at 11:19 pm
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Sheree
July 3rd, 2010 at 11:36 pm
Sheena,
I am actually expecting my first child and I am so glad you shared this information. I’ve been reading a lot of different articles along the lines of “things other parents wish they knew” to prepare for their child. This piece you wrote, I’m very thankful for. It made me think of when I was younger, I remember doing that same exact thing. I’m sure my parents also had to step in and watch me closely so I wasn’t actually EATING the toothpaste. Your son is absolutely precious!
Thank you for sharing,
Sheree
Sheena
July 3rd, 2010 at 11:40 pm
Sheree, thank you so much for your comment and compliment. Congratulations on your pregnancy! Hope to see you around online!
amy pugmire
July 4th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
I have had a difficult time with my daughter too! I have found her several times with the toothpaste bottle sucking it down! she hates brushing her teeth and loves apple juice so I am definately trying to cut back
Demetria
July 5th, 2010 at 6:06 am
Ahhh…and this is a FUN thing in our house: "Time to brush your teeth!" My 2 1/2 year old wants to be every bit as big as her 8 year old sister. She has her own little toothbrush right next to big sister's, and they have "tooth brushing time" together. If big sister brushes up and down or sideways, so will she. I actually have them both use a regular kids' toothpaste a few times a week and then a non-fluoride, natural toothpaste the majority of the time. I usually have to help my toddler once a day to make sure we are getting all the spots, but again…she wants to be independent like big sis, so I let her practice.
melanie b
July 9th, 2010 at 8:03 am
I think each kid is different, it's good that you found something that works for your little one. My daughter loves brushing her teeth and having them brushed so it's rarely a fight
tanyetta
July 12th, 2010 at 11:26 am
My son attended a health fair and the student told the group of kids that their teeth will fall out if they don't brush them everyday. Funny how when I tell him that he didn't believe me but, when a total stranger told him, it was solid gold! whatever works!!!!!
Carrie
July 13th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
My son is also two and just wants to suck the toothpaste off… yum and then play in the water – so we start by brushing our teeth together in the mirror (I put VERY little toothaste on) then I add a little more and he "brushes" my teeht and I get to do his – not a perfect job but it works – sometimes I ask him to be animals – open your mouth wide like an alliator or show me your teeth like a lion and he gets a kick out of that too.
carrie
July 15th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
my two yr old hates having her teeth brushed! I find if I let her brush mine while I brush hers, it becomes a game and she likes it! We count each other's teeth and hunt for molars while we work!
Denise G
July 20th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Gorgeous shot! Teeth brushing time is so tricky! These tips are all great. New brushes and toothpaste are usually helpful, but only happen once in a while.
Amber Davis
August 1st, 2010 at 6:48 pm
My little one hasn't started growing teeth yet, I hadn't even thought about it being difficult to get him to brush! Thanks for the advise, I'm going to need it.
Sarah C
August 2nd, 2010 at 8:07 pm
My daughter loves brushing her teeth at 18 mos, but we have problems with the biting too!
amber rose
August 3rd, 2010 at 7:17 am
What a handsome little man! My daughter insists on brushing her own teeth, and she begs for more and more and more toothpaste. It can go on for hours if you let it. And, she constantly looses the toothbrush, so I am always buying new ones. I swear the monster that eats the socks in the dryer, also eats car keys, hairbrushes and toothbrushes!
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August 9th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
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