Gabe is 21 months almost & I won't say he doesnt like having his teeth brushed because he doesn't mind, he just wants to do it himself (and obviously all he really does is chew the brush to death!)

He's never liked me doing it, I've tried giving him my toothbrush and getting him to brush one of his toy's teeth but it doesn't work, he just wants to chomp on 2 brushes instead of 1 lol.

His teeth don't look yucky or anything but I'm sure he's not getting thm brushed properly.....I remember my stepmum letting my brothr brush his own teeth when he was about 8 & the next time he wnt to the dentist she said it was too soon because there was loads of plaque on his teeth & it's best to help kids brush until they're quite a lot older xxxx

Amy is 19 months and exactly the same! She loves doing it herself and then i try and get the back ones and all hell breaks loose trantrum city!!

so ill be interested to hear others views to!!

(sorry not much help )

So it's not just me that finds it hard work brushing toddler's teeth then!

My girls don't mind having it done, but they only let me do it for about half a min and I feel like I'm not brushing for long enough. Evie also wants to do it herself. I usually just brush them 1st for as long as she lets me, then I rinse the brush and let her have a go. She does seem to chew it a bit but I try telling her brush brush and holding her hand to help her move it round her mouth a bit better.

xxx

fin is just as bad and the min he gets new teeth cutting he just gets so upset.he wont let us do it for very long and i feel bad but tbh some people dont do it all so i think if you can get some done then thats got to be better than nothin.im planning on asking the dentist(once we are allocated 1 anyway)what they suggest. not very helpful im afraid but just so you know its not just you having probs.lol.xxx

hi i was going to post something similar...just wondering how you go about brushing you lo's teeth?

i have to kind of hold ethan on my knee with one of his hands behind my back (as if hes cuddling me) then hold his other hand, and hold his head with my arm (like in a kind head-lock!) but it is so so tricky. i am so paranoid he will have bad teeth but he hate hate hates getting it done. i have tried brushing his teeth while he is in his buggy also but he just pulls the toothbrush away, so the only way i can do it is to hold his hands down..i feel so cruel, but its either that or he wont have his teeth brushed.

please any one who has tips, i wopuld be really appreciative. ethan is my second but i didnt have this probklem with my first, she just let me do it!x

sam is the same, i let him have a go first (chew chew chew, he also likes putting it under the tap) and then ill have a go and he never opens his mouth properly so i cant really feel what im doing...i just hope for the best :lol:

I've been meaning to reply to this post for ages. But last nights teeth brushing debacle has reminded me again.

We've tried electric and singing toothbrushes. We've changed the toothpaste 3 times.

He will happily put the toothbrush in his mouth and wander around the bathroom chewing on it. Infact he screams when I take it away.

I brush my teeth at same time and he will tolerate my brush in his mouth but as soon as I start to move it around he clamps it shut. If I take hold of his brush and try and actually brush while he has it in his mouth he pulls away and screams.

I tried holding his arms and forcing it in, being cruel to be kind, but it ended in screaming, tears, kicking, hair pulling. He was so upset he wouldn't let us read him his bedtime story.

He's 16 months and I can't tell you the last time his teeth got a proper brush. Seriously when do we need to start worrying about the state of his teeth ? S x

i know it sound awful but i wrap haydens towel tight around him after his bath so he cant get his arms free and try to get the brush in and around quicky!!
A tip we got from the dentil hygenist (sp?) that came to my nursery was to make sure the toothpaste is right down throught the bristles then if the child is only chewing thet are more likely to get some of the fluride round their teeth than if it was jsut licked off the top. Also try and avoid wetting or rinsing the brush before or during brushing again to increase fluride in their mouths.
love fi

I let LO have a toothbrush that she can suck and chew on, while I have another one for actually brushing.

So, in between chews, she will *normally* allow me in for a decent brush. Occasionally she still wont allow it.

I think as long as they are getting the idea of the routine of it, that's the important thing, but that's just my opinion

first time I have had time to come on here is ages - but glad I have as this post is really helpful. Cally hates getting her teeth brushed too, and am very worried about state they must be in. Some days I am allowed for a few seconds, some days she doesn't open her mouth at all. Have tried all of the above tips - guess will just keep trying, but it is good to know am not alone. x

We're in the same boat too, we've resorted to two toothbrushes, he chews one while i try and dive in with the other one. Needless to say it rarely works, he usually ends up with both brushed screaming and shouting!

I have to hold my hands up to being a naughty mummy and have on occassion resorted to using my own electric toothbrush (albeit on sensitive head & feather setting) and it seems to work, but sure it's not healthy and probably the novelty will wear off!

PS he's 17mths

Hi, we've had this regime in our house for I don't know how long:

We brush their teeth at night, they brush them (under our supervision!) in the morning. It works really well cos I know they have a really thorough brush every day which is important. I still brush my 8yr old's teeth. I asked my dentist what age can I let him do his own teeth - and she said ooooh about 21! :lol:

It does wear out the toothbrushes out quickly when they are little though - for dd she has 2 - one really knackered chewed one - to do them herself lol!

xx