Teeth Brushing

Try using your toothbrush (or an identical one). Kids want what we use... he might be more open to giving you a chance with a toothbrush he really likes. Try role-playing with a doll/stuffed animal that has a mouth that opens (do you have Ernie or big bird? both have open mouths). Then... be consistent--every. single. night. For a few nights last week we skipped brushing b/c M fell asleep while nursing. I just let it go--couldn't bring myself to wake him. When we started back up? Trouble.

Can you enlist your husband in the brushing? Invite your son to brush your teeth? 
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From babycenter...

It was always a struggle to get my toddler to brush her teeth. Three things finally worked for us, introduced in this order: 1) Raffi's song "You brush your teeth" on Singable Songs for the Very Young, which we've played several times a day because it's on an album Shaela loves; 2) watching us brush, without asking her to do it or letting her do it herself — magical combination of adult modeling and forbidden fruit, I guess; and 3) a baby toothpaste called Baby's First that tastes good and is okay for her to swallow. — Mita, Ontario, Canada


My 2-year-old would never cooperate at toothbrushing time. "No!" she'd yell, and clamp her mouth closed, even when given her Teletubby toothbrush and tasty kid-style toothpaste. Now I don't tell her to brush her teeth but to roar like a lion, as loud as she can. She loves doing this and doesn't mind that I slip the toothbrush in and give her a good brushing while she roars. — Mary, Illinois

Thanks! Except for the song – we do all the other things! Also using 2 brushes, going over the teeth with a wash-cloth…

I have decided I am the adult, he is the child, his teeth need brushing, so I will brush after him, even when he yells…the only problem is the shutting of the mouth and forcing it open J

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On the tooth stain front – I did take him to a ped dentist, who confirmed that they are stains and not cavities, he recommended using an electric brush, which I am using, and I think even the times he uses it, he is more likely to brush the actual teeth than vacuum in his mouth J there are still stains, but I am feeling better ~ it, and he is letting me to brush for a few seconds more!!!