Any advice on how I can get my 15 month old to let me brush his teeth would be much appreciated. I am trying both the soft over-the-finger type of brush and a regular child toothbrush but he always clamps his mouth closed. Sometimes I use some floride-free paste and other times I don't. I have been attempting to do this daily for a few months now. I know this is important to do but he won't let me!
I made up a silly song about fighting cavities, to the tune of another song. I sang it while brushing and it became routine.
I would just let him play with a toothbrush with the fluoride free toothpaste on it. You brush your teeth and leave the toothbrush on the counter where he can see it, and he'll probably start imitating you. Right now it sounds like he's sort of doing a "power struggle" thing, and if so, you have two choices -- punish him for not letting you brush his teeth, or say "it's not worth the fight" and try a gentler method.
I just had a panick attack reading your question. My child was the same way. I finally just started using the over the finger soft cleaner. I just never gave up. My daughter would kick and scream and throw a fit. I finally just told her that we could do this the easy way or the hard way because she WAS going to have her teeth cleaned either way. I even resorted to punishment for this behavior. I would take away her TV time and everything. It was horrible. She is 5 now and I am pleased to say my daughter has awsome dental hygiene. She is a great brusher, flosser and loves to use the flouride rinse. Good luck.
A pediatrician, who had small children of his own, once recommended letting the child 'brush' first to get his thrill, then you do it to be sure it's done properly.
give him the toothbrush and let him "brush"- will he do a good job, no, but he will learn that is doesn't hurt. Brush your teeth with him so he can see everyone does it. Good approach to potty training too!
Try using childrens toothpaste, and let him taste it first. The bubble gum flavored should work well. Tell the child that you will always let it taste first to make sure the child likes the toothpaste.
With my son I always let him try to brush first, then I would finish up for him and make sure they got brushed good. It is easiest if I sit behind him and reach around, that way I can hold his head still. He's 2 now and loves brushing his teeth. I found if I let him try first, he was more willing to let me brush them after.
ALWAYS USE FLOURIDE FREE TOOTHPASTE! He is too young for flouride now. They make the toothpaste for beginners and this will be okay for his little system. Adult toothpaste could make him very sick if... or should I say...when he swallows it. As for techniques to get him to open up, well, I am facing the same issue. We let ours hold and play with his toothbrush while he watches us brush our teeth. He is the same age as your little guy. He instantly imitates us and is getting closer to actually getting his teeth brushed. He won't really let us in his mouth, either. And it doesn't help that he is continuously teething. So in other words the same advice that everyone gives me for almost every situation... Patience. He'll get it right and in another couple of months he'll allow you in at least once a day to get the job done right. Good luck.
I did the same thing for my little boy, he let me brush his teeth until he was about 11 months old, then suddenly he clamped his mouth shut and wouldn't let me do it and it became a struggle every evening. Until one night... he picked the toothbrush up and did it himself! Sometimes he doesn't always brush for as long as I'd like, but he knows after he drinks his milk at night he gets his teeth brushed and he'll pick up the toothbrush and chew on it for a little while. Sometimes he even tries to brush my teeth!
This is an instance where a reward system (or even 'bribery') would probably be OK (and effective). Tell him that after he brushes his teeth he can have or do something he really likes (or that you'll give or do for him something he relishes). It sounds like a strong-willed little guy, and you have to let him think that HE's in control (of the situation, at least -- not of you). If it's his choice, he'll be glad to do it (generally).
The 'do-it-or die' method works, too, but I'd try the positive approach first (seeing that my kids are already raised and I no longer have the choice of which way to go. I usually went the 'forced' route, which works for some kids and for some it just makes them more stubborn. Ah, parenting . . . !)
I let my son brush his own (play with the toothbrush) while I am brushing mine. Then, after I'm done, I 'help' him out and do a light cleaning. Sometimes, we also play a game where I'm trying to catch things like birds, dinosaurs, etc in his mouth. For example, I'll see a dinosaur in there and try to chase him around the bottom teeth. We make a game out of it. This usually gets him to either open wide or laugh.
With my daughter her dentist told me to wrap her in a towel with her arms wraped up so she couldnt move and if she wouldnt open her mouth pinch her nose close then she would have to open cause she couldnt breath then brush. Yes she would scream but it got the job done fast and it was over with and she was off playing in no time. It only lated a couple months of her fighting us then she realized this had to be done every day so she let us brush her teeth.
will he do it himself? even just chewing on the bristles is better than nothing. I usually let my little guy have a go at it first. he usually just sucks the toothpaste off and takes a few swipes at his teeth. Then I say "Ok, let me check and make sure the sugar-bugs are all gone.....Wow you did a great job.......I see a few in the back, lemme get'em!"
Good luck. Trying to get a kid to do ANYTHING is a trial! :)
Our child's dentist told us that even just letting them chew on the toothbrush is works great. We started by letting our little boy chew on the toothbrush and then he finally got to where he would let me brush his teeth. Now he begs to brush his teeth and he is only 3.
We have two toothbrushes...one for me to hold and one for him. Generally he chews on his while I brush my teeth, then I get in there with the other one. So sometimes he has two toothbrushes in there LOL! He is funny about letting me brush, so I make a game out of it. If I smile wide and say "EEEEEE" he will generally imitate me and then I can get at the front ones.
About toothpaste--I thought you weren't supposed to use it until they are at least 24 months?? I never use any.
