Teeth brushing - we are dong the pin him down and force it method.....

[aisling]

Have you spoke to a dental hygienist?  We did at the time when we had this (2 yr molars and his spirited texture issues) and she said even if you get him to use the brush without paste it is fine.  She said more importantly water rinsing is important.  I started giving his brush in the bath and let him deal with it.  3x a day is not needed for this age unless they are having massive amounts of sugar, walking around with a juice bottle etc...which I highly doubt.  That is what the hygienists said to me, she was sure DS had a good diet and just get him using the brush when he feels like it and drinking water to clear particles. (we let him drink from tap in bath and spit out in tub.) We also used the battery operated brush and let him just do it the best he good, with me trying a bit more, it was ok, but more of a toy, but hey some bristles did touch the teeth!  It was a short lived phase like 3 months, so I was not going to force it for him or my own sanity. He LOVES brushing his teeth now, so that to me is more important.  Been to dentist, no cavities (and he has had teeth since 4 months old) .  Hygienist talked about flossing as something that is harder and more important to get kids to do and he loves to attempt it, but I'm not going to push that either he is still young.

Oh just remembered, sometimes I would wipe the teeth with a wet cloth when I could get him in a playful mood, she said that was good too.

[teilvnav]

Nathan uses a little Thomas the Train electric toothbrush and some Little Bear toothpaste which is blue and is berry flavoured. I know that it isn't perfect, but he at least lets us get in there properly 1-2 times a day now. Before, it was utter refusal and tantrums. Some days he likes the motor on, and some days he doesn't; either way, I can get in his mouth now. The brush was only about $8 Canadian, Mashi; maybe your dad could include one in his next package? Nathan is obsessed with "choo choo"'s, and I am sure that is why he allows the brush anywhere within 5 feet of him these days.

I used to give him something to play with while I brushed his teeth; a small mirror worked, as well as a cool toy car that he was only allowed to touch while he let me brush his teeth. He looked pretty funny holding it up over his head to see it around my hands.

[Mashi]

We have not talked to the hygienist but my sister is a dentist and I also spoke to my dentist about it when I went in the summer. We generally don't worry about paste - it is his choice each time if he wants to use it or not, toothpaste doesn't help to clean teeth at all, it's just a vessel for fluoride, it's the brushing action that does the cleaning, so he can choose to take it or leave it. 

Aisling I am surprised your hygienist said that 3x a day is not necessary unless there is a sugary diet...bacteria develops from foods other than sugary foods (ie/ all foods!) and begins the job of decaying teeth after about 30 minutes - so it is not so much a "3x per day" rule but rather brushing shortly after meals, which usually happens to be 3x per day, so I am surprised she would say to just allow food to sit in there all day for so long!  The idea of a wet cloth or of just letting him rinse I was told that now that he has an "adult diet" that its no longer sufficient...though it is how we approached it for a long time. I suppose if I go back to that for at least one time then it eliminates some of the battle and does a tiny bit of the job. Hmmm. I guess it just stresses me out because teeth hygiene is something soooo important to me - I will back down on most things but I find it very hard to give on this one!

I guess the last thing I have left to try is the battery toothbrush. Hmmmm. I'll look again but you're right Amy maybe I can ask someone to post one over...do you find that the brush end actually fits in Nathan's mouth? The battery ones here are HUGE, like the head would gag him for sure, and I think be very uncomfortable in his mouth.  I need one where the brush end is actually a train and can "chug" along the tracks of his teeth...he'd go for that I bet, he is train obsessed!

[momtonb&ab]

hey Mashi,

just wanted to chime in and say that our dentist here says 2x per day brushing is more than enough - and actually he recommended that we allow DS and DD to brush once themselves in the morning (while we supervise and help guide them) and then we do a good brush and floss at bedtime.   i really trust our dentist as DS and DH both have hereditary soft tooth enamel and need to be vigilant about their teeth.  DS has perfect teeth otherwise (and has had teeth since 5 months) so i wonder if you could ease your battles a bit by reducing the number of brushings?   our LOs love to brush, and even more so now that they are responsible for doing it themselves!

also to say that SIL is a hygenist in BC and she insisted on brushing 3 times per day (and was having the pin-em-down battle with both her kids).   one day in discussion with her boss the matter came up and he was able to present a good case that 2x per day was sufficient for excellent oral hygiene.

i know your sister is a dentist and i don't want to contradict her, only to give you some other perspectives!

[teilvnav]

His brush head (the bristle part) is approximately 50% smaller than my adult one. The handle is about the same length. It was too big for him when we bought it a few months ago, but it fits just fine now. The train is on the handle, though... I love the idea of it being on the brush part.

The paste might actually help, if you don't mind bribing him with a flavour.

[my3girlsjde]

I can't remember the specific name of the mouthwash but I'm pretty sure that it's put out by colgate and it turns the bacteria green. You could always go on the toothpaste websites and do a search.

[aisling]

Yes I am well aware of foods and sugar, bacteria etc... her statement was in context to worrying about him going through this anti brushing phase, (it doesn't last forever) which she has seen so many times and is also a mother of 4 and really felt unless we gave him extra unhealthy sugars (sadly the people that give coke in a baby bottle type clients) she said it really is fine, just let him have the brush and hope for the best. As long as we just keep showing him that this is what eventually happens, it is part of your daily hygiene routine, then it would be fine.  Well, she was right in our situation. Same as our approach to flossing now, (which is the real part of fantastic oral hygiene, you can brush to your heart is content but with out this...) we are just in the dabble stage, but he knows it something you do as part of your routine, we'll get there.


We brush 2 x a day.  DS eats about 6 meals a day, so he would have a toothbrush hanging out of his mouth all day lol!

Again, she reminds, rinsing is good.  She also doesn't have a problem with sugar free chewing gum and recommends this and claims it helps with the whole production of enzymes, clearing bacteria etc...

It was such a short phase, I chose to just keep reminding him that it is part of our routine, but I didn't push it.  I really don't remember what it was like getting my 2nd yr molars, but DS had a tough time, so I let him get through that.  He is also spirited and so am I, I understand what it is like to have over sensory issues, and to be pushed really, really bugs me, (DH always telling me to wear socks in the middle of the winter when I complain I am cold, lol... hate socks, feet traps they should be called) so for that too, I let the phase pass.  Call me an old softy then.

[Edesanja]

You may be already past the point of this working, but I'll put it out there since I haven't seen it:
When DD started resisting me brushing her teeth (wanted to do it all herself) a couple of months ago, I started letting her choose what song I would sing to her as I brushed them (the first time I chose Mary had a little lamb, so she chooses this same song EVERY SINGLE TIME STILL!). I do 4 verses which is time to get in a really good brushing, then she gets a turn.

[MLK]

There are lots of factors involved in the development of tooth decay - not just bacteria in the mouth but the acidity/alkalinity of saliva, which is dependent on diet. And everyone pretty much knows what diet causes tooth decay (sugar, refined carbs like white flour etc)

[momtonb&ab]

That's a great point too Jenny.  We counting things and they picked the object for counting and we would make a silly game out of it to distract them.  As a result they can count to fifty

[Jiinx]

bacteria develops from foods other than sugary foods (ie/ all foods!) and begins the job of decaying teeth after about 30 minutes

I really don't want to divert the topic away from your toothbrushing battles, Mashi..I hope things have gotten a bit better?

There is a time after we eat in which the pH in saliva drops to a level that can cause cavities - this lasts for 30 minutes and after this time, it goes back to normal. However, during this time the enamel has softened (especially if you've had juice or anything that can cause the pH to dip lower, such as acidic foods) and one can argue that brushing during this time can actually lead to more damage.

I've seen kids - kids of all ages. Some of them have CAKED on tartar..and I don't even have to use my instruments on them...it washes away with the polisher (Mr. tickler..lol or whatever name I dream up). Yes, babies/toddlers get tartar BUT as long as you wipe/brush/swish it with water it should be sufficient.

I've seen many many patients - some brush once a day and they have zero caries and zero tartar buildup. However, some people brush religiously and they have the opposite issue - buildup and caries. A lot has to do with diet, yes ..but a lot has to do with our saliva. Our saliva washes our teeth and protects our teeth - some are lucky to have a lot and some have drier mouths due to medication or genetics..

*hugs* Just wanted to offer you peace of mind and experience

ETA: We learned in school that cheese after a meal can help ward off teeth decay. In a bind, pop in a piece of cheese. Really, I'm not making it up

[JJshappymum]

Hi Mashi -  we are also going through this battle and DS won't open for anything, even if we pin him down he just bites down on our fingers.  I had to let it go for a while so he would forget all of the negative association. A lot had to do with teething and his gums being so sore. I think his 2 year molars are on their way.

What helped us was choosing a toothpaste in his favorite flavor. We got apple/banana flavor and he actually brushes his teeth willingly now. He won't let me near him but we put him on a stool so that he can look at himself in the mirror. It makes him feel taller and more independent.

Do you have any relatives or friends with toddlers, maybe a little older or at least his age? When my DS sees other kids doing something (like eating ) he does it too without a fuss and totally shocks me. Maybe you could have him watch someone he likes and plays with do it spontaneously. Try to get someone else to supervise so you are not in the picture. This strategy has helped me in other areas we have had resistance with. (eating, potty training, etc. ) 

[Mashi]

Thanks for the advice everyone.  I have decided that it's too important for me to just "let go" and not brush his teeth - so we're keeping up with doing what needs to be done, even if that is pinning him down and having him kick and scream while I brush.  I can't just not brush his teeth, I don't have it in me.

[Katet]

You make me feel bad... mine have only started brushing 2 x day since Ds1 got his 6yo molars & first 2 adult teeth... my dentist has always said their teeth are good. Ironically my Sisters Ds has had 3 cavities & she has always brushed his teeth 2x day... difference is we have floride in our tap water & where my Sis lived in the UK until her DS1 was almost 3 didn't have Floride in the water.
My Dentist did say when I talked about it when Ds1 first started going "with Floride in the water there  is much less risk with never cleaning teeth if they drink tap water than children who live places with no floride" My friend who moved away & lives on tank water gives her children Floride tablets because she worries... like many of us grew up before Floride was in the water.
So while it isn't something I made a big battle out of (trusted my Dentist) I think I would have if there wasn't Floride in the water.

[Mashi]

Kate, it's not meant to make anyone feel bad, Im sorry.  In fact I would say if anything I am the one who feels bad because everyone else here is able to take a very laissez faire attitude towards teethbrushing and I am the one who insists that my child must be held down and forced to do it rather than being able to say oh well.

Fluoride is a key thing, you're right!  And we have no fluoride in the water here (or very little anyway, not enough).  DS is supposed to take fluoride tablets - should have had them from 12 months but paed did not realise it when we moved here and he only got them at hi 2yo check up instead - and won't take them at all. He spits them out, what a huge surprise