Does anyone have any advice on how to get Tucker to allow me to brush his teeth? It is soooooo damn difficult, and I find myself not doing it everyday because it’s such a freakin event. I bought the battery operated one that spins so it is a little easier, but he still closes his mouth up tight, tries to grab it away from, or just screams bloody murder. I let him do it himself in the mornings but he is basically just sucking the toothpaste off.
Please help!
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oh man, don’t judge me. when bear used to refuse to let me i would lay him on the ground and put his head between my knees! he would cry and eventually we would be done so quick it was no big deal. believe it or not….sometimes still, he wants to lay down!! hahah! isn’t that hilarious!? for the most part now he comlplies
Thats basically what Jamie and I have to do now! We definitely have to do it tag-team style. One of us holds his head and arms while the other one somehow forces him to keep his mouth open while we brush. I feel aweful…definitely not judging you. There must be a better way right?
That stinker! I’m sure Reed will protest at some point, but he loves to brush his teeth (his 2 teeth)
now… In fact, he sometimes cries when we stop brushing his teeth.
Reed especially finds it entertaining when he brushes his teeth while we brush our teeth. Have you tried that with Tucker? Rich also sings this funny song he made up about: “this is how we brush our teeth, brush our teeth, brush our teeth…” Maybe a song would make it more fun?
Good luck mommies!
we have tried brushing our teeth at the same time, havent tried a song though…maybe that will work. I just found that sesamestreet.org has a video of Elmo brushing his teeth so maybe we can watch that while he brushes his teeth at the same time?
That is hilarious that Reed cries when you stop brushing. kids are so funny.
Willa does not get her teeth brushed everyday.
We’re all paranoid, I’m pretty sure brushing at their age was unheard of when we were babies.
I don’t make a big deal out of it. When Willa see’s me brushing my teeth, she usually wants to brush too. So I just stand behind her hold onto her bottom jaw, not hold it down just hold it lightly for some stability, tell her to open wide, quickly do as many swipes as I can before she steals the brush away. Then she wants to do the rest herself.(Sucking, chewing and running around the house with it, is her style).
In my opinion it’s not a bad thing. think of it this way.
When he chews on the brush,
he’s actually mashing the paste into his teeth and inevitable getting it on his gums. Or by sucking on it he’s getting a bunch on his tongue, which I believe harbors the most germs.
I think he’s getting the job done, just in a different way and it may not be perfect but it’s something!
I am with Kristin, Ethan loves to brush his teeth also (but he is still young, almost a year). When I was young we played this dancing game that we froze when the music stopped. What if you incorporated that into brushing your teeth? You would brush your teeth while the music was playing, then when you paused the music you would “freeze” (stop brushing) until the music played again. Kind of seems like a lot of work I know, but whatever works.
relax….you are doing a good job. He doesn’t eat a lot of sugar so no worries….just do your best.
thanks guys…it was easier tonight. I did it with him. He especially liked sticking out his tongue with me and letting me brush it. Still not the easiest but better. I really appreciate all the help.
We actually got him to comply to brushing his teeth by letting him hold the toothbrush as well. His hand on it and our hand on it too! What an easy little solution…..its all about trial and error as a parent.