help needed with 15m teethbrushing

[gingernutlover]

dd age 15 m used to allow me to brush her teeth briefly after she had held the bursh and sucked it abit etc etc so I let that carry on thinking I was doing okay. The last week or so she will not let me go anywhere near her with a toothbursh, and will grab it, shove it in her mouth for a second then throw it away. I have tried sitting her on my lap to do it which results in much kicking, hitting and general trantrummy behaviour. I really do not wnat to pin her dsown to do it as I feel this would be a really bad association for her to have.

she has 12 teeth, including first doubles and am getting very worried about them, as they haven't been burshed for about 2 weeks now and she's not even eating the toothpaste now.

am going to see HV next week but would welcome any real life advice from on here.

[pen73]

I'm at exactly the same point! I just keep trying but if she's not having it I don't force the issue. I have read that you can start tooth brushing at 2 years, and before that it's more like practice but I'd clear that with your HV. I'd be interested to hear how you get on. DD let me brush properly tonight for the first time in a few weeks. I often let her play with the brush in the bath so she oesn't see it as this big deal. Good luck.

[gingernutlover]

thanks, I reaaly dont want to make a big deal out of it as she is becoming a real little madam lately about getting her own way, turning it into a battle would not be good in our hpuse. I think will carry on with trying, she also is fascinated by our electric toothburshes, may try that as a gfame

[BonyM]

DD2 is 20mths and is very similar to your dd. She has been getting a little better recently and will occasionally let me brush for a few seconds. I always give the toothbrush and let her chew it a bit but don't want to force it as I think it will just make her even more reluctant.

I had heard the same as pen73 though - that it's not so essential before the age of two. Hope it's true!

So, not really any advice, but at least you know you're not alone. Just persevere!

[clarinsgirl]

DS (20mnths) sounds just like your DD. Sometimes he will allow brushing, other times he throws the brush away in disgust! I read an old thread on here and they suggested a child's electric toothbrush (even though manufacturers say not for under 3's). DS finds electric toothbrush amusing but we really have no more success with this than ordinary brush. I spoke to my SIL this weekend who has 3 children(3,6, and 8), she says hers were all the same, she didn't push them (just repeated routine) and eventually they brushed their teeth! You're definately not alone, but as yet I have no magic solution...