How to start brushing teeth?

[J & J's Mum]

Hi,

Not really sure where to post this, so I thought I'd try here.

DD is 18 months.  How do you get to brush their teeth??  All she wants to do is suck or chew the brush.  I've tried getting her older brother to brush his in front of her, but no luck.

Thanks
Rachel x

[kimbo613]

My brother is a dentist and he would tell you that no child under the age of seven can brush their teeth 'well' by themselves.  There should always be mommy's turn, then your turn.  But he doesn't have kids yet

At night, I brush DS's teeth in the bath with my arm wrapped around the back of his head, since he tends to just keep tilting it back.  We brush for a count of ten for top and bottom, but I think we started with a count of three.  I usually count pretty slowly, unless he is in a mood

In the morning (we just started this recently) I brush his teeth while holding him up in front of the bathroom mirror.  Then I let him have his turn while I brush my teeth and I kneel down so he can see me.  He thinks this is hilarious and just giggles the whole time.

[*Amy*]

A friend suggested recently that you let me him brush yours while you brush his!! I think it is a good idea and going to put it to work!

[birdie]

My son sits on my lap (me sitting on the closed toliet) while I brush his teeth.  He used to really fit me until I started singing the ABCs.  We now sing it 2x through, once for the top and once for the bottom and then we get a kick out of a dramatic sounding "Z" at the end.  Dh recently changed it.  He ends the first time with the normal "now I've said my ABCs, next time won't you sing with me." He ends the second time with, "now I've brushed your teeth, time to get some vitamins and some ZZZZs.". I only had to hold his arm out of the way the first few times once I made it fun with the song.

[J & J's Mum]

Thanks very much guys

I was panicking a bit because I was thinking I should of started earlier!  Better late than never though!