Now that Chase has six teeth and eats a mostly regular diet I've become concerned about his dental hygiene. Since his first little tooth came in I would use a wash rag to clean that tooth and his gums but now I feel like I should be doing way more to prevent plaque from building. The problem is that he is so independent, and he doesn't want mommy brushing his teeth for him – he wants to do it all by himself.
I received a training toothbrush from MAM when I went to The Baby Show NYC last year and, according to the accompanying brochure, I should be brushing Chase's teeth at least twice daily. *Yikes* He refuses to let me brush his teeth and, these days, he barely lets me clean his teeth with a rag.
He'll clench his teeth together or bite down on my wash cloth-covered finger. We've tried brushing our teeth together, as a family, to model it for him. I'll then give him the toothbrush to let him do it himself. He is so independent and he loves to hold the toothbrush, but when he gets it he really isn't brushing his teeth.
I've tried numerous things. I let him chew on the toothbrush for a while, but then when I try to take it to brush his teeth, he throws a major fit.
So I sing silly teethbrushing songs (which he loves) but it doesn't make him want to let mommy brush his teeth. I once waited until he was in the bath, then I explained that we needed to brush everyone's teeth in the tub. Turning the bristles away, I brushed the "teeth" of all his bath toys. He watched with great interest. After I brushed their teeth, I brushed his teeth next. He enjoyed that game a lot. Since he was laughing, that made it easier to brush his teeth. However, he hasn't let me do that since.
On another occasion, after his bath, I dried him off with a big towel and then wrapped him up in it so his arms were contained. I sat him on my lap and tried to brush his teeth that way. When he yelled in protest I slipped the toothbrush in. I sang the toothbrush song, which calmed him a little, but I didn't like doing it in such a forceful way. So I abandoned this method as well.
These days I've tried to just make it routine to bring Chase into the bathroom when I brush my teeth. I sit him on the toilet and hand him his toothbrush. I brush my teeth, happily smiling in the mirror and at Chase, and using big, exaggerated strokes. He watches me curiously as he "brushes" (i.e., chews) his own. However, out of the corner of my eye, I sometimes see him trying to copy my up-and-down movements. After I finish brushing my own teeth, I bring out the old, trusty wash cloth and clean his teeth and gums. Then I gently take his toothbrush from him (that's another struggle, as he hates to relinquish it) and we leave the bathroom (yet another fight).
Where is my sweet little baby who used to let me do anything I liked with him? Long gone are those days! I realize now its best to pick and choose my battles with Chase. I figured when he is developmentally ready he'll become more receptive to getting his teeth brushed. At this point I'm just happy it's become a part of our daily routine, and I'm glad that he has so much fun doing it.
How great is it that you sing songs and brush his toys teeth! LOL. Daniel is brushing his teeth also but no fight to do it. Guess I should post that blog already huh. Ha. Daniel always wanted to brush his teeth. I think thats cause he saw me doing it. Keep letting Chase watch you brush your teeth and keep trying. Soon he’ll let you “help” him. LOL
My 2-year-old loves his toothbrush, his brother’s toothbrush, and his sister’s toothbrush. We have to sanitize toothbrushes quite often.
Don’t worry…..soon your beautiful tot will grow older, and you’ll have THIS to write about: http://www.mylittlerembrandt.blogspot.com/
These are precious. I love seeing the sequence of photos, he looks like is growing so fast
This post was so cute and funny. Just imagining him rolled up and you brushing his teeth is too funny, right along with the pictures.
Just think once you figure this one out, you’ll be all set for the new addition
I agree with Claudia’s comment – Braylon became fascinated with brushing his teeth by watching me do it… Now he’s OBSESSED with it. He won’t let me forget to brush his teeth or let him do it himself. It’ll all come together in due time. Your efforts will pay off when he gets that clean bill of health from the dentist in a few years
I started taking Bray to the dentist when he was 3.. not sure if that’s standard age… Could be 2.
The fact that he’s wanting to brush his teeth by himself means you’re doing everything right! As my father, the dentist, always said: the goal is to help your child form a habit. He’ll do that by watching and imitating you.
Ohh this is such a cute story yet daring task. I use to get bit on the regular trying to brush my children’s teeth cosidering I have 3.
Chase is quite a lil man and trying to dependant at an early age.
So cute! Just endearing.
lol this is such a cute post-i love the pictures!!! and his hair is adorable!!
this sounds like quite a struggle–and it seems like you’ve tried almost everything!! i don’t even know what to suggest at this point, lol. i love the fact you always bring him into the bathroom with you to show him what you’re doing…that definitely has to rub off in some way, right?!
maybe you need to show him some before and after shots of kids/adults who don’t brush their teeth. that harsh reality should shock him right into brushing, lmao.
Where is my sweet little baby who used to let me do anything I liked with him?
lol its ovaaaah! haha i smell some terrible 2s coming on… something else! but yea, it’s definitely best to choose ur battles. you don’t want him to have it set in his mind that teeth brushing has to be an angry struggle–then he’ll never wanna do it. good luck!
I so feel you pain!! I bought a toothbrush that blinks and when it stops blinking she knows she is done brushing. Its by GUM I think and it looks like a crayon. It has worked wonders. She is now 4 but she still doesn’t like my help!! LOL! Good luck, I love Chase’s hair like that…he is such a cutie pie big boy!!
OMG@ the pictures along with the story made this hilarious! I can picture you doing this….LMAO! Singing and trying to get him to brush his teeth! You must record this!
These pics are so adorable!!!!!! Does Chase like apples? Apples are great supplement in addition to the vitamins the docs prescribe. I agree with your last statement. I wouldn’t worry too much about him brushing his teeth. What you are doing sounds great! I am sure Chase is not allowed to eat foods high in sugar. I remember this routine and again what you are doing sounds great. The girls see a pediatric dentist and I love her. She encourages the methods that you are using. Introducing Chase to dental care at this age is setting the stage for days to come. You will look back at this blog and say this can’t be the same child. Don’t be surprise if he wants to brush his teeth every other minute, lol!!!!! Is it me or does Chase look so much like Auntie Nabs?! The last pic is so funny, I would pay to know what he was thinking. The pic before that one he looks so mature. Love the braids!!!! I can go on and on. You truly have a ham on your hand!!!!!!