Talk to me about brushing teeth

[birdmom]

DS is 17 months old. I brush his teeth, but I don't know how effective it is. He doesn't mind having the brush in his mouth, and he'll even take it out of my hand and "brush" them himself. What is the most effective way to brush a toddler's teeth?

[theintended]

If he's letting you brush them, and you're brushing all of them, sounds like you're getting the job done.

[birdmom]

I feel like I miss some of them sometimes, because he's laughing or playing with the brush. I didn't know if there was a trick that I didn't know or something.

[theintended]

It's good he wants a turn. I'd let him go first, and then you finish up. If you use the same pattern every time (bottom inside, bottom outside, top inside, top outside, etc.) it will be easier to make sure you're getting them all. Talk about what you're doing aloud so he knows what's coming next eventually and it will become less of a struggle over time.

[mrshandy]

Be happy you can actually get a toothbrush in there!

DS thinks it is some kind of game to keep me out.

[birdmom]

Jul 19, 2012 12:36:23 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

Be happy you can actually get a toothbrush in there!

DS thinks it is some kind of game to keep me out.

We went out to walk the dog after we brushed last night, and he insisted on taking the brush outside and keep brushing while we walked. Then he threw it at the dog. I guess he was done!

[kittycatlove]

We are just starting and DS is 15 months old. He doesn't seem to mind me getting the top teeth, but we haven't really gotten the bottom ones. Hopefully the more we keep at it the better it will go. FWIW our pedi said as long as we can get in there with just water and brush that should be good for now.