Brushing teeth - help!

sariroo · 04-10-2011, 05:41 PM

My 2 yo is a nightmare when it comes time to brush her teeth. We have a routine where I brush my teeth while she has her time "brushing" her own teeth. For her, that means chewing on the toothbrush head and making noises like my electric toothbrush and not much else. When I'm done with my teeth, it is my time to brush her teeth. At first, she was somewhat reluctant but would let me have a quick swipe at all of her teeth which obviously wasn't enough so she started to get a small amount of buildup on het teeth. I have thus been more aggressive about brushing her teeth (meaning brushing longer, more thoroughly but not rough). But that soon morphed into "no way in hell are you brushing my teeth!" I basically have to hold the child down and hold her arms to brush any part of her teeth. I have tried singing songs, letting her hold her Mickey Mouse, pretend to brush his teeth, anything to help calm her. If I don't hold onto her, she hits. If I hold onto her, she screams and cries as much as she can while still trying to keep her mouth shut. I'm not rough with the brushing and have tried to explain if she would calm down and let me brush, it would be much more pleasant and over with quicker but alas, she is only two. I don't want to hold her down but don't see any other option at this time. She needs her teeth brushed and if it doesn't happen, I don't see her letting a dentist in there to clean her teeth. Any other ways to approach this? A reward of some sort? HELP!

Saila · 04-10-2011, 06:15 PM

There's a lot of kid-oriented cartoon clips that talk about how and why brushing teeth is important. Maybe watching some of those shows and talking about how all the big girls do it will help? They also have tons of cute little books in the library about it.

Singing toothbrushes?

Maybe watch some videos that show step by steps (since she's only 2, maybe just 1 or 2 steps to start off with) about tooth brushing and help her try it herself? It might help her feel like a big kid. She can "brush her teeth" and then she can come to you for a "check up" to see if she missed any spots.

I'm not a parent, but I have worked with 2 year olds at a daycare, and these are the steps I can think of trying with them.

ETA: You can also use scare tactics. LOL. Jk. But seriously, some of those videos show big scary monsters that make cavities.

Ohhh, they also have "kiddy" toothpaste with Dora the Explorer and what not. Be careful that she doesn't try to eat it though... because I definitely did when I was little.

RedCatWaves · 04-10-2011, 06:54 PM

I think the larger problem is a child who hits her mother. That's not acceptable to me...ever. I think you need to get a handle on that, and then move on to brushing.

Saila · 04-10-2011, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedCatWaves

I think the larger problem is a child who hits her mother. That's not acceptable to me...ever. I think you need to get a handle on that, and then move on to brushing.

*Gasp!* I need to start reading threads more carefully.

sariroo · 04-10-2011, 07:15 PM

Okay, I'll be clearer...when I'm attempting to brush her teeth, she is swatting at my hand and the toothbrush. Or she is using her hand to cover her mouth. She isn't hitting me as in hitting at my face or my arm or chest or any other part of my body. I would do the same if someone were trying to put something in my mouth I didn't want. She doesn't hit me or hit at me at other times, even at her crabbiest. I'm not the strictest parent in the world but I don't let my kid hit me. Frankly, she is a pretty good, easy going kid so this is why I'm at my wits end with the issues during brushing. I know I wouldn't want to be held down and have my teeth brushed but also don't want my kid's teeth to rot out of her head so I'm looking for anything better. And I'm fully aware this is craziness...I just thought it was a phase and she would accept that it was going to happen twice a day, everyday, without fail.

She has watched videos and we have sang songs from those videos while brushing but that only works for a day or so and then it is back to craziness.

And for the record, she isn't in pain...she has had her mouth looked at by a dentist and her pediatrician and everything is fine. And when the toothbrushing terror is over, she is fine...fills her cup to rinse her mouth and happily either gets in bed or goes on with her day.

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subbrock · 04-10-2011, 10:40 PM

Have you tried telling her exactly what to do and how long to do it? I've never had the issue you're talking about my my 3 yr old does a typical 3yr old job when she brushes her teeth, which isn't the best. Some days I let it slide and other days I stand there and tell her specifically where to brush and when she can switch to a new section.

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TheSimbaLook · 04-10-2011, 10:56 PM

I hated brushing my teeth as a kid. The BEST way to get kids to listen is to reward instead of punish. You and your daughter can decorate a calendar and for everyday that she brushes her teeth without having a fit she gets a sticker. When the calendar is full, at the end of the month, she gets a reward. (have her pick out her reward before you start the sticker chart) Hope this helps

RedCatWaves · 04-11-2011, 11:51 AM

I would try a new tactic...like varying the place where you brush her teeth. I used to brush my kids teeth in the bathtub, but maybe do it in the living room while she's watching her last TV show before bed, or while reading a book. You don't need to use toothpaste every time on a toddler...plain water, or even dry, works just as well.

If teeth brushing is causing SUCH distress, I would probably back off a little bit...for a short while...a week or two or three. As long as she'll rinse her mouth out with water before bed, then she's at very little risk for lifelong problems from just skipping for a short while. I'd rather not torture children when I can avoid it, and when brushing teeth feels like torture, I think it's detrimental to their mental health to hold them down and force them if it's not absolutely essential.

I'd take her shopping for a new character toothbrush of her choice and some new tasty toothpaste.

I think 2 year olds aren't mature enough to understand a reward a month ahead of time. They need instant gratification.

I don't abide hitting from kids, of any age, and swatting qualifies as hitting to me. I'd make a big deal about that hitting thing, so as to nip it in the bud, but that's just me.

sariroo · 04-11-2011, 03:49 PM

Subbrock- yes, I have shown her how to do it. I will often use a manual toothbrush for myself when I'm in there with her to show her how it's done. She is on the lower end of two so it sticks for a day or so and then we are back to just chewing on her toothbrush only.

Simba- I did make her a chart yesterday and taped it to her door and explained she will get a sticker each time she does well with brushing...meaning no fight with mommy. She seemed to like that and the motivation of a sticker did the trick last night because she stood there fine and dandy and let me do a quick brush. The chart only goes for a week because I agree that a month is like an eternity to her. Even a week is pretty long but hopefully the stickers will keep her motivated because she has recently discovered stickers and thinks they are great.

RCW- I think you are right and I need to just back off for a bit if this whole sticker business goes to pot. I used to not be so crazed about it but then we had the build up, not to mention she was on antibx and I would like to prevent tooth staining. The dentist basically scared me when he said you must get in there with her twice a day, everyday, you don't want decaying baby teeth, blah, blah, blah. She has all the character toothbrush/paste and I let her pick it all out because I thought if she saw it as something that is hers then she would be a little more into it. I just need to relax and hopefully she will too. I agree it is torture and that is why I asked for help.

Thanks for the replies.

fuzzbucket · 04-11-2011, 05:10 PM

My almost 2yo wants to do everything himself. We were fighting over the toothbrush every day and I had to back off. I got both boys spin brushes and they love them. 2yo will play with it in his mouth for 5+ minutes and then let me in to finish. Much better than it was. I can't help but think he's doing a bit of cleaning while he plays too.

missbanjo · 04-12-2011, 06:50 AM

Maybe sit on the floor at her level and brush your teeth while she's "brushing" hers? She can see exactly what you're doing that way. Do you show her how pretty your teeth are when you're done? She is a girl!

.

sariroo · 04-12-2011, 03:03 PM

Okay, well I knew I was crazy about this whole toothbrushing mess but relaxing was obviously the best thing. So far the stickers are working...if she doesn't let me brush just a bit after she "brushes," I tell her no sticker. And she realizes she isn't going to get that sticker so she will stand still and let me brush a bit. Then she picks out a sticker and we put the sticker on the little chart together. It has actually worked surprisingly well so far. When the magic of this wears off, I will probably just get a little spinbrush too as I see her thinking that would be fun.

TheSimbaLook · 04-12-2011, 10:49 PM

I'm glad it's working

BugEyeZ · 04-22-2011, 06:04 PM

my 18 month old is the exact same way. he acts like he is being tortured to death whenever I pick up the toothbrush. lol so i just brush his teeth every other day. doesn't make it better, but i am learning to pick my battles.

iroc · 04-22-2011, 06:23 PM

Some days if it's obvious that extra, good brushing is needed, then I'll take the toothbrush and do it for them.

But for the most part, if they're brushing at all, that's something.

I may tell them that they need to brush better, or what areas they need to do more, but this isn't an adult who is in public, trying to care for their adult teeth. It's a two year old, with maybe what, several at most, baby teeth? Not really worth obsessing about right now. You can work on it more in depth when they're a bit older.

Jess the Mess · 04-23-2011, 12:28 AM

My (then) 4yo ended up with cavities. The dentist said it was more the foods he was eating than thoroughly brushing. Foods that stick. Popcorn, raisins, dried fruits, anything that sticks all day. Maybe try cutting out certain foods instead of thorough teeth brushing.

sariroo · 04-23-2011, 08:20 PM

It has actually been a lot better since I posted. I let her brush in the morning and rinse well since she isn't eating foods overnight and then I help in the evening before bed. She still wants a sticker after she brushes and after I brush so she is getting two a day and she still thinks that is a treat for doing a good job. And she wants to put it on her shirt instead of her chart which is fine with me. No more build up and teeth look nice and clean. No more torture!

Jess- she doesn't eat a lot of sticky foods but eats lots of fresh fruit and drinks mostly milk so I'm just worried about getting the sugar off.

Iroc- she has all of her baby teeth. It was the front and bottom teeth that were starting to get buildup because when she chews on the brush she uses her molars and not the front. So yeah, as soon as I saw she was getting some build up, I was rabid about getting it off. Now that she is looking better, I have backed off. I don't expect her to brush like an adult but don't want rotten teeth either.

iroc · 04-23-2011, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sariroo

It has actually been a lot better since I posted. I let her brush in the morning and rinse well since she isn't eating foods overnight and then I help in the evening before bed. She still wants a sticker after she brushes and after I brush so she is getting two a day and she still thinks that is a treat for doing a good job. And she wants to put it on her shirt instead of her chart which is fine with me. No more build up and teeth look nice and clean. No more torture!

Jess- she doesn't eat a lot of sticky foods but eats lots of fresh fruit and drinks mostly milk so I'm just worried about getting the sugar off.

Iroc- she has all of her baby teeth. It was the front and bottom teeth that were starting to get buildup because when she chews on the brush she uses her molars and not the front. So yeah, as soon as I saw she was getting some build up, I was rabid about getting it off. Now that she is looking better, I have backed off. I don't expect her to brush like an adult but don't want rotten teeth either.

I also tell them to make sure they brush their 'smile' teeth - I tell them to 'say cheese!' and then show them on me how to brush the fronts.

My 3 year old sometimes gets buildup like that. Occasionally I just have to hold her down and do the job myself.