Parents of Preschoolers  Discussion Forum

Hi,

I'm a mom of 2&1/2 years old who does not like to let me brush her teeth. Till her second birthday, we had our routine fixed and there was no resistance from her. I do let her brush by herself first and then tell her that it's mommy's turn now.....that's when she'd just run away from the bathroom. I've tried playing games, singing, making sad face, and finally anger.....nothing seems to work. I'm worried about her teeth as she still does not know how to brush properly. Any help is appreciated.... A.Dhar replied. Hi Wafia, D, P and Priya,
Thanks for replying.
I've just resorted to the hard way....forcing it on my daughter. I told her this will go on until she starts brushing her teeth properly by herself. She did cry the first week, but now she lets me do it....I've also created a distraction for her, I hold her and let her keep her feet under tap running warm water...she likes it. I've also told her that if she chews her toothbrush and doesn't brush properly, mamma is going to throw it away(had to do it once for her to believe me)....that is kind of improving her brushing habit too.

I think we just have to keep inventing new ways to handle our toddlers..... till they grow up and a new set of problems start :) wafia replied. My 21/2 yr daughter same thing. I one day told her she can wear her favorite dupatta dress and she opened her mouth wide and allowed me. But everyday she has to go to nursery and has to wear her uniform she is so reluctant that I have to get angry and force my hand with the brush inside her mouth and while she cries it is easier as the mouth opens automatically. But I am feeling very bad and disturbed. I also bought her a flavored tooth paste but still no use. I wanted to know, is it so necessary that we make our kids cry and brush them, cant we use a toothpowder and use it instead. Pl. help
D replied. Dear A Dhar,
The only way I can get to brush my 4 year old and 15 month old boys is to use a cheap battery operated tooth brush and bubble gum tooth paste. I usally brush there teeth first then let them brush their teeth after with there childs regular tooth brush. The battery tooth brush cleans better and they think that it feels funny. Hope this helps! P replied. My daughter is 2 1/2 too and she used to do the same thing. I told her the story of some imaginary girl who didn't brush her teeth and had to go to the Dentist to remove her teeth. As a result of which she couldn't eat her favourite foods. Since then she brushes her teeth. priya replied. Hi A Dhar,
The same probs i too facing. My 3 year old son knows how to brush but he doesnt like to brush it everyday. i always force him to brush in the morning but sometime he does n sometime he hates it. i too worried for this. Why he neglects!!