My 1 1/2 year old hates to have her teeth brushed. I have tried several different brushes, cloths, etc. She screams and cries and I still fight with her every night. I have tried my best but her teeth look bad and I'm not sure what else to do. Does anyone have suggestions on how to make this better or any easier for me? Thanks!

__________________
In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.Mother Teresa

Wish I had some advice for you....I am going through the very same thing! My daughter was 2 in February and we fight the same fight everyday. I try to sing songs with her and play "games" while we brush and it will only work here and there. I really need to catch her off guard with a song she doesn't know!! I hope someone has good advice on this one. It's hard!!

I don't know if this will really help or not. My DS has never had a real problem with me brushing...but I always say "Mommy will do it and then Ryan can do it" and he'll open his mouth and I brush and he quickly reminds me that it's his turn! Again, that may not be that helpful to YOU but it works with him!

__________________
Mom to Ryan ('06)

OH and yummy toothpaste helps too. He hated brushing before I got the fruity toothpaste!!

__________________
Mom to Ryan ('06)

That's good, working as a team. I'm sure the sight of me coming at her with a toothbrush is scarey.

__________________
In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.Mother Teresa

I took a tip from Supernanny -- sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star over and over while you brush his teeth, then let him brush them for one run through. When he's giving me a hard time about it, DH sings a goofy version of the song with different lyrics.

I also let him pick out his toothbrush and he has Little Bear training toothpaste, with a fruity flavor. But I'm sure you've tried those.. the big thing that worked is the song. We sing through it 3-4 times with me brushing and then once with him doing it.

Good luck!

__________________

My son is 2 and 1/2 and we have had the toothbrusing problem on an off for a while. It will pass for a few months and then start again. I always do it first and then let him do it.
Dont worry! It will pass!

My pediatrician told me not too worry to much about brushing there teeth until they are 4. There teeth are spaced far enough apart that a quick brush and rinse with water does the trick. Also my kids both like the litte bear toothpaste and you don't need to worry about flouride if they swallow.

I don't know what to tell you. My 16 month old is the exact opposite. He likes to have his teeth brushed so much that when you put the brush up he has a tantrum. We do the I brush then you brush thing with both kids. I like that because my 3 year old is learning how to brush her teeth so that hopefully by the time she is for she can actually brush by herself with supervision.

__________________

Brandy, SAHM to Jodi & Andrew

Ditto here - We can never make it out the bathroom and her seeing the toothbrush without brushing her teeth. Hhope this continues so she will have less cavities than mommy!

__________________
Mom to Kaylee (10/2006)
Waiting on our second bundle of joy to arrive January 2009!