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Hi guys, I am after a bit of advice. I am a single mum to my 16 month old daughter. And i have a big problem when it comes to cleaning her teeth. I have always brushed her teeth twice a day since she had her first tooth but since she got a bit older she absolutely hates teeth cleaning. She cries, screams, kicks and pushes me away. It is a constant battle and i sometimes cry with frustration. She already has plague on her bottom teeth because she won't let me brush them. I don't give her sugary snacks and i make sure she doesn't drink juice before bed. It makes me feel like i am such a terrible mum. I have tried playing games but she doesn't understand it yet and whenever i go near her with a tooth brush she starts. Have taken her to dentist but he wasn't much of a help :-) I don't know what to do. Does anyone have similar experience or any ideas? Please help!
With mine, I'd let them play with a tooth brush and they'd bite on it.
They'd watch me brush mine and they'd have their tooth brushes.
One of my children especially was awful, so I did get battery powered ones - I think they were animal shaped ones. I felt that even vague brushing would be more effective with the battery one.
I think the most difficult thing is trying not to make it a battle - especially as she is so young.
Brushing teeth has never been easy in my household, I'm afraid, with a lot of nagging still - and my lot are getting on a bit now. It was almost easier when tehy were younger.
See if your dentist will suggest something...
Good luck.
Hi Sarka. I was also going to suggest giving her a toothbrush, as you are doing yours, making sure of course not to leave her on her own with it. Maybe try and encourage her to copy everything you do, making it into a game?
Hi Sarka
Have you tried any of the above suggestions? Are any of them working?
Hi Guys, have just loged on and was amazed at how many replies i got, a massive thank you to everyone i will try to have a go at all you have suggested. i do give her her tooth bruch and she chews on it and asks for more tooth paste as she likes the taste and we do brush teeth together but when it comes to mammy having a go that is still a big no no. I am so trying not to make it a battle but oh god that is just so difficult as i just want to get in there and do it for her hahahaha. It's fun being a sigle parent hey :-)
hiya i will have a go at this thank you hope eventually she will start to co operate :-)
Oh Sarka, the joys of single parenthood indeed! Your post made me laugh, when you said you just want to get in there and do it for her!
My daughter is 16 and that is exactly how I feel about her bedroom!!
It is important that your daughters teeth get brushed and she needs to know that it isn't an optional or negotiable activity. As young as she is, she is trying to assert her authority over her own body and as good as this might be, she needs to ascertain at this early age that when mummy says 'it is time' then mumy means business and you have to do as you are told.
So I urge you to keep going without getting cross or frustrated with her, for the first few times you only need to do it for a couple of seconds, just to get her used to it and keep talking all the time about how happy the tooth fairy will be.
I know she is only small and in time this will become easier, but she must know that mum is boss. I wonder if you could get another brush, one that she really likes, but it is not for her to play with it is for you to help the fairies!?
Aww dear, your poor daughter....and poor you!
I was going to suggest making it into a game. I realise she has limited understanding and this has not worked so far, so let me tell you a game that worked for me, with another issue. How about getting a timer with a bell or buzzer on it. Find a teddy she likes and say very loudly "Now then Teddy, let's see your teeth". Pretend to look at Teddy's teeth and say OH NO! Teddy you must clean your teeth! At this point, Teddy can say WAAAAH! and you say firmly Come along Teddy let's set the timer (suggest a very short time to start with, lol, say 10- 15 seconds) You start to "clean" Teddy's teeth but before the bell goes off, Teddy runs away. You say "Oh Teddy you are SO naughty. I wonder if there is someone who can show him how to be good when he cleans his teeth?" You might have to repeat this question several times, as if to an imaginary audience but eventually she will probably volunteer. if she doesn't, do the whole rigmaorole with Teddy again. When she co-operates. clean VERY GENTLY and go wild with approval when the bell goes. Do this every time and gradually increase the time and the thoroughness of the cleaning once she is totally relaxed. She will get to anticipate Teddy being "naughty" and revel in it. Yes this is a palaver but worth it, to get a result