DD is 17 months old, and I admit we only brush her teeth once per day in the evening before bed. It is pure torture. She hates it! The only way to do it without having her scream her head off is to open our mouths and say 'aaahhhh' to to tune of twinkle twinkle little star. She thinks that is interesting enough to also open her mouth and say 'aaahhhh'... at least sometimes. Other times she just screams anyways. We still don't use toothpaste per the doctor's instructions. Maybe once we start she'll like toothbrushing a little better...
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Same! I have to lay E on my lap, tickle her with one hand and brush her teeth with the other while she laughs. Otherwise, it's constant crying
I had to do this with DS until he was 3!
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I brush my teeth first and then give her the toothbrush (hers, not mine). I was so shocked the first time she agreed to do it. Toothpaste also helps. I use a fluoride-free toothpaste, and that made it more appealing to her as well.
Don't worry, i only brush her teeth at night. She was a late teether!
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at 13 months we brush at night during bath time, and in the morning after breakfast if I remember (which I often don't). on our well child nurses recommendation we use our normal toothpaste, just a tiny smudge of it. i have to hold his head still, and he'll open his mouth and let me scrub. sometimes he screams and tries to get away, but i just hold him and do it anyway
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Yes, the right tasting toothpaste helps tremendously! (Do your own research on the toothpaste-most experts agree with fluoride-free at that age.) Also, having control over some aspect of the process was key for my LO. Some ideas:
1. like Freckles said: hand her the toothbrush. At 17m you'll probably need to do a quick once over when she is done.
2. let her brush the doll's teeth (or teddy bear in our case).
3. have options. A couple of different toothbrushes or flavors of toothpaste.
I admit that there were nights (and mornings still) that toothbrushing did not happen. I thank God that these are baby teeth and my child will have good dental hygiene by the time he gets his permanent set.
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4 comments