Brushing Teeth - San Antonio, TX

HEy J.: I've been doing the teeth brushing battle sine my daughter was 12 months. UGH! It can't express how much I dread toothbrush time... But it is so important that I am committed to doing it no matter what. Just stick with it. His behavior might be because of a recent bad experience or it might just be another way he has found to avoid it completely.

I suggest you buy/try many, many different toothbrushes. (I could never do the finger brush because my daughter had teeth and knew how to use them OUCH!) Let him choose his toothbrush. Try a cheap mechanical one, maybe Thomas the Train or Spiderman. There;s one with a circular spinning head that worked well for us (until she got sick and then I threw out all the brushes) The rotator head isn't very strong on the grocery store ones and shouldn't hurt his gums. (I suspect the 3+ age warning is because hair could get stuck in the rotator, so make sure you supervise). I also found manual toothbrushes (at Walgreens) that had a suction cup on one end and stuck to mirrors... my child thought that was funny. And always worked to let my daughter try to brush my teeth, then it was my turn to brush hers, then her turn on me, etc.

Oh I hated trying to brush her teeth between 12-20 month! Oh, you've reminded me of the battles... But stick with it. Do it every night no matter what (and baby will realize it is part of the routine) and it will get easier.

You've gotten some great advice. We have realized from experience that if you make it a part of their routine, and involve them it gets easier. :o) Go let your little guy pick out his own new tooth brush, then when it's time to brush let him have his turn first then tell him Mommy's turn. Just keep at it. Even if you only get 20 seconds in his mouth, he will get used to it and let you take care of it properly in no time. But make it just as much a routine as everything else. Good luck!

B.
www.bellaamadis.com

Get a new toothbrush (make sure it is a baby one as they have softer bristles...with your son in attendance talk about how you are getting rid of the toothbrush that hurt him and throw the one your husband used on him away...Then tell him (or even let him pick out the new one) that you have a brand new toothbrush that is soft and won't hurt him like the one you had to throw away...then put a small amount of chilren's toothpaste over a small amount of anbusol or orajel and let him brush his teeth himself...the orajel/anbusol should numb up his gums if they are painful and the toothpaste should help his breath and his teeth...All in all if your son goes along with this suggestion it should be a pain free and fun experience to ease him back into brushing his teeth..

Good Luck... ;-)

Have you tried that 'finger thingy' they sell next to the toothbrushes? (I know youre impressed with my terminology!!!) They are real soft and I think you have better control with the amount of pressure that you use, opposed to a toothbrush.

Just a thought,

Margaret :)

A couple of other ideas...give HIM some control. Let HIM hold the toothbrush and chew on it. If he is in a high chair, after a meal you could give him his wet toothbrush and see if he'll chew on it by himself. After he gets used to it you can start helping again. Give a at least a few days for him to feel comfortable with it. Changing the setting and giving him some say in the matter may help! Battling with an 18 month old can be so hard!

Hello,

Here is the toothpaste you need.

Go to www.foreverliving.com,
Click "come-in",
North America,
United States,
Shop,
United States,
Scroll down & you'll see Personal Care, click it,
Scroll down some and you'll see the Toothgel Item #028. Once you use this toothgel you'll never want to go back to your current toothpaste. It tastes that good and works very well! Since there's no flouride, it's safe to swallow and will assist the throat muscles.

With your finger, let your son taste this gel or let him taste some off the gel container himself. More than likely he's going to like the taste.

Please feel free to contact me with questions.

Thank you,

D. P.
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