How Do You Brush a Toddler's Teeth?

I have three youngins, 2, 3, and 4. My older two were very easy to teach how to brush. I started them early with baby toothbrushes and baby orajel toothpaste (with little bear on it). As they got older I started letting them brush their own teeth with the baby toothbrushes. Then, as they started eating more bacteria causing foods I transitioned them to adult toothpaste and character shaped electric toothbrushes. I would allow them to start, but then I told them that mommy needed to help so that all the nasties got out. Oral hygiene is very time intensive in this house. With my son he is still using a baby toothbrush. Just last week I started letting him do it himself to start. He was very difficult at first, but once he saw his big sisters doing it he became more accepting. Now that it is routine it is no big deal. Kids thrive on routine.

As for the dentist, our family dentist would not, as policy, see the children before age 4. I needed them to have dental records for the preschool they were going to so they saw all three, but the younger two only got their teeth brushed, no xrays... Check with your family dentist about when they start seeing toddlers/preschoolers.

I didn't use much toothpaste when my girls were that young, just a soft, easy-to-hold brush. I gave it to them when they were in the tub, and they'd chew on it while I washed them up. In the morning, they used the toothbrush at the sink with their special cups. They were little teddy bear-shaped cups with an attached toothbrush holder that came from the dentist's office. My 8 year old still has hers!

When I first started brushing my kids' teeth I used the rubber nubbed finger cot and toddler toothpaste that you can buy in the toothpaste section of a drugstore. It looks like a miniature sex toy (what my dear hubby called it) that slips over your finger.

Stand behind your child when you brush so you can reach the teeth like you do your own. It makes it a whole lot easier than trying to do it from the front. You can also try having your child lay down with their head in your lap. After they get used to the feel of it, I moved up to a very small, soft toothbrush. WHen that was accepted, I got one of the "Tooth Machines". It is an electric toothbrush with lights and visible gears that brushes all surfaces of the teeth at once. Since the kids tend to brush fro less than a minute, it helps to get more of the teeth clean in that amount of time.

I also let them do the initial brush when they could handle the brush and then said I would "bat cleanup" and do a sweep of the areas they missed.

Most pediatric dentists recommend a visit at 12 months. They check the teeth for early signs of decay and teach you how to care for your kids teeth. It was a very positive experience fro my kids and they love seeing the dentist every 6 months. Hope this helps!

Children should see a dentist at one year, but most don't see one until 2-3 years old, however, and with your issues, I would not hesitate to make an appointment!

i tell my son to act like a Lion and show me his teeth...then I sing to distract him (he is 4). The 2 year old copies everything his brother does but he is partial the Diego Spin Pro (or something like that) toothbrush. Good luck

I would take her to the peds dentist and make sure there isn't anything causing this to be painful for her--the spots you mentioned--they could be thrush.
If that is cleared then I would say....have you tried letting her pick a toothbrush at the store herself with her favorite characters on it? I prefer an electric one for my kids......and try different flavors of toothpaste. I just got a strawberry flavored one for my son who is 7 and he loves it! Try letting her do it herself and maybe giving her a reward each time she lets you or does it herself. And maybe try doing it in front of the TV with something on to distract her..... But I agree........you really need to put your foot down and be the mom who knows best on this one. Neglect even at this age can be detrimental.
When you take her to the dentist maybe they can help you with some pointers. After a while she will get used to it......but the fear thing makes me think she is attaching a painful memory with the action--I'd be thinking of that first.

My daughter is 17mos and she was also difficult. I started as soon as she had teeth with a soft cloth, then the finger toothbrush, and she is just a busy girl and not the easiest to work with.

The thing I have found that works the best for her is I let her brush my teeth (an extra toothbrush in her bathroom just for this purpose, I just put water on it) while I brush hers. I open my mouth wide, close it to do the front teeth, etc. and she mimics me and is much more patient with letting me brush her teeth. Toothbrush wars have dropped dramatically since we started with this.

Good luck...