Post Updated with tips received from parents from all over the world
How To Make My Toddler Brush Her Teeth?
This is one of the many things that keeps plaguing me at least twice a day. Yes, twice because don’t the dentists tell you to brush twice a day? Anyway. Honestly, I miss the days when she was just a baby and getting her to brush was nowhere near my mind. But she is growing up now. Much too soon, if you ask me. Suddenly there are so many things that I have to teach her like brushing her teeth and potty training. And honestly, I suck at teaching things. Ask my sister and she’ll vouch for it. But now that I’m the mom, I can’t escape this responsibility, can I?
Hence, I’m always anxious about teaching her the right things, the important things and how. These days it’s all got to do with making her brush daily. The only consolation to my anxiety is that I haven’t yet met a grown-up who doesn’t know how to do either of the two. So, there’s hope. Perhaps.
Each morning I find myself standing in front of the sink, M in my lap, her brush in my hand, pleading, cajoling her even to just brush her teeth. Don’t ask me if I do the same at night because at the moment, I’m trying to win the battle in the morning for starters. My god, being a parent is tough!
How To Make My Two-year-old Brush Her Teeth?
But tell me please why is it so difficult to make her brush her teeth? Is this something every kid does? Why do kids make so much of a fuss about brushing their teeth anyway?
You should hear me when I’m trying to get her to brush her teeth. Please M, brush your teeth or else the honey bee will eat it all up (Yes, she’s scared of the honey bee). Please M, brush your teeth or the lizard won’t go away (Yes, she’s scared of the lizard too). With each failed effort my voice getting shriller, I go on to the next. Please M, brush your teeth and Mumma will let you watch rhymes. Or, let’s brush together, M. After 10 minutes either I would have brushed my teeth thrice but her, hardly even once.
How To Make Your Toddler Brush Her Teeth? #Parenting Share on X
I just cannot make her brush which frustrates me to no end. Of course, that’s not a surprise to those who know me since patience isn’t one of my top 10 virtues. S, however, says that it’s a win for me, my teeth rather, each time I end up brushing instead of her and I shouldn’t worry much because her milk teeth will fall anyways! Can you see me roll my eyes when he says that? These fathers, I tell you. They must have been drinking beer in a pub when parental worry and anxiety were being distributed.
What do you do for your kids #DentalHygiene and #OralHealth? Share on X
I have tried everything from bribing her to trying to force her to do it but nothing seems to be working. So, she is just as stubborn as her mom and dad combined. (I know that’s us!) She only brushes when she wants to and if she wants to. The strange thing is it’s always when I’m in the middle of something important. But since, her majesty doesn’t otherwise brush I leave everything to fulfill her wishes. Who knows when she’ll want to brush next?
The other day I was partially successful in enticing her with the bubbles that form while brushing. But it’s not working now. I don’t know what to do next. I’m worried about her dental hygiene. And since my family has a history of weak gums, it adds to the concern. Hopefully, eventually, when she is older she’ll listen to me.
But seriously, how do I make my toddler brush her teeth now?
I have asked my mom what she had done with us but she says it’s been so long that she hardly remembers (Thanks Mom, for making us feel old!).
So, all you mothers out there, what do you do? What’s your secret? How do you make your toddlers brush their teeth? What am I doing wrong?
Post Updated with tips received from parents from all over the world
Parenting a toddler is like weightlifting only the weight you are supposed to lift is always a surprise. What I have learnt in my limited time as a parent to a very naughty (super cute but naughty) toddler is that you need to adapt and also that it’s okay to not be the ‘perfect parent’ everyone keeps talking about.
Believe me, I have had more failures as a mom than successes. My daughter is still not potty trained though most moms at her daycare seem to have seamlessly mastered it in much less time. But the way I look at it is that there is no adult who is not potty trained so she’ll be fine. Also, I can’t for the life of me get her to sleep early and so I don’t understand how people get their toddlers into a routine. Well, my salutes to those parents. Also, she still doesn’t eat everything and I still yell at her. So, as you can see, I’m not at all perfect. But perfection is boring because how would I improve then? I think it’s in our struggles that we learn best. Also, I know there are many like me so it’s my duty to talk about this side of parenting too, the not too sure side, the side when we slip more than we win but the love is still the same.
Now, if you are a regular on my blog then you would have read my struggles with getting my little missy to brush her teeth daily. How do I get my toddler to brush was a question on my mind practically every second of every day. They don’t make it any easier for you, mind you. But something worked and I must thank my readers for that.
So, I decided to work on the suggestions I had received as part of my previous post. And what do you know, it started getting better. Though I still can’t get her to brush in the mornings on most days, it has almost become a routine for her to brush at night now. And if there’s anything I have learnt in motherhood then it is to celebrate the small wins.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to help a mamma out.
Also, I thought why not return the favour because I know there are thousands of moms like me trying to navigate the difficult alleys of parenthood, raising kids, or to be more precise trying to get a toddler to brush her teeth!
Here are the tips that many left on my blog and I’m sharing them all here for you.
Tips to get a toddler to brush her teeth
Get them to choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste.
Make it a family activity.
Make it a fun activity. Sing a song and get him or her involved.
Get them toothbrushes in bright colours, it almost always works.
Do not force them. Ask nicely or just casually mention that you are going to brush your teeth and they can join you should they want to.
Let them take out their toothbrush themselves. It makes them feel as grown up as you.
Don’t say no if they say they want to brush be it at any time of the day. It’s annoying if you are dead tired but just go with it.
Brush with them if they want you too. It’s not always easy because I get irritated brushing so many times daily but I still do it to encourage her to brush.
Keep patience. This is most important.
What worked for me was that I bought her a new brush in her favourite colour. And every night when she accompanies me to brush ( I try not to force her), I let her take out the brush herself and even apply the paste from the tube. There are days when she flatly refuses to brush especially in the mornings and I have to try my best to not force her. Some days she ends up brushing twice at night and I oblige. Also, she wants me to brush with her when she does and I oblige again. Well, if brushing my teeth numerous times daily gets her into the habit then I’m all for it. Afterall, isn’t that what motherhood is all about?
I hope these tips help out the moms who are like me. And again, if you have any more advice, feel free to share!
Aww Naba, I totally understand.
What worked for me was singing a made up song and brushing along with her in rhythm. A new toothrbsuh with fancy designs may help. Kids love that! Once in 6 months should do the trick. My husband used to make it a game and whoever brushed faster would ‘win’. And the winner could do a victory dance. Rope S in to help you out. God knows we need all the help we can get.
Oh dear. I’ve learned with kids is that sometimes the more you ask them to do something, the less likely they are to do it. I’m also guessing using fear is not a great incentive. What about a chart with stars – one for each time she brushes?
Good luck, Naba! ♥
Do you know, I can’t even remember teaching my kids to brush their teeth? I obviously did as they all have beautiful teeth today, but my memory doesn’t go back clearly enough! Knowledge – Key to a Healthy Life – A to Z revisited
Can you make it a family activity? May be that will help. 🙂
Parul Thakur recently posted…Asphalt and a leaf
I love Parul suggestion here 🙂
Let me check with a few friends of mine, whose kids are now grown up and hopefully are brushing by themselves. If anything sounds half decent, I’ll let you know 🙂
Soumya recently posted…The Purpose Of Travel
Maybe give her a barbie brush… The kind they produce to entice kids into brushing. I have always wondered how parents convince kids about dental care. They are too young to understand I guess I too would say let her shed milk teeth and be serious after that… Hehehe now don’t throw a toothbrush at me
Rajlakshmi recently posted…Of Eyeliner Ninja, Lazy Nerds and Funky Pose
Okay, I scrolled down to the comments section to see the answers… hopefully some of these work. Can I suggest ‘music and jigging around’ as part of a fun exercise to keep her mind distracted as mommy and kiddo both brush their teeth? Also, bright colourful brushes
Roshan Radhakrishnan recently posted…The Top 50 Movies of actor Mohanlal
This is hilarious! Sorry, I’m not laughing at you. I’m sympathizing, even though I don’t have kids. Well, not human ones. Doggie babies are much easier regarding dental hygiene.
I’ll throw in my two cents anyway, though, and say that the creative fear tactics can work for getting kids to do what they’re supposed to do. I remember when I was little, my mom would make my brother and me fearful of “ear monsters” that would get us if we didn’t cover our ears when it was cold out.
Also, have you thought about the taste of toothpaste? Something that would maybe taste like candy but not be too tempting for her to swallow?
I dont have kids yet. But my brother does. I remember that 1 video my sister in law sent to me. She was brushing her teeth and then suddenly my nephew comes in, asked what shes doing and then mimicked her actions. Since then, my nephew brushes his teeth with his mom. His 3 years old by the way.
my mom would make a dance and song out of it when i was really little so it became a game and something i would look forward to when i was two. hope this helps
Andrea recently posted…Tea Time with Vanessa from HNINA Organic Healthy Gourmet Treats
No toddler yet, however, I feel like what I would do is brush my teeth with her, to show her that “the cool kids” are doing it, LOL! Cause I mean, she/he is going to think I am a cool kid… LOL!
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I’m not a mom yet, but I really can imagine how difficult can be teaching the right things to kids! It’ s a hard work beeing a mom!
This must be such a difficult process! I don’t have kids but my best friend has just started trying to potty train her toddler and its SO HARD!!! Good luck!!!
xxx
Asha
In my opinion it’s difficult to get a toddler to do anything at all. What could possibly work is the suggestion of brushing her teeth come from HER favourite person . I often tel my grand kids that X who is their favourite Uncle/ Auntie has said that they love kids who brush their teeth.
Another thing that could work is make her choose her own toothbrush and tooth paste ( flavoured one ) so she feels involved in the process right from the purchase . The whole shopping for the toothpaste and toothbrush could become a great adventure one Sunday morning .
Bellybytes recently posted…Morning walkers #WordlessWednesday
I have no secrets. My youngest are 4, and it’s a struggle getting them to brush their teeth. I try to remind them that they need to take care of them, or they will loose them for good. Sometimes it helps. Ha. Good luck!
My kids were good about brushing their teeth and now that I have grand kids, I let them pick out whatever toothpaste they want so that it encourages them to brush when they are staying at my house. There are a lot of character tooth paste containers which definitely help!
We were struggling on this for a few months when we tried everything from colorful brushes to cajoling to threatening. Our breakthrough was with strawberry toothpaste and car shaped toothbrush. Keep trying different things, I am sure something will work out!
A little incentive goes a long way!
For my kid it was different toothpaste every month and talking to her and keep her engaged while brushing also…it goes long way…! that’s my experience.
KS Rao recently posted…Sabudana Vada / Crispy Sago Vada
Both my girls were different and still are. What works for one doesn’t necessarily work for the other. I would say, since you’ve already tried several things, go with a cart where she has to mark all the task she has already done. At the end of the week she’ll get some special reward.
I feel like what I would do is brush my teeth with her, to show her that “the cool kids” are doing it. I guess I too would say let her shed milk teeth and be serious.
not really my problem now because my baby is still an infant and she currently love her brush in her age of 8 months lol
I have been very lucky with 5 kids all super keen to brush, but I’ve never been a real nazi about it. There never was ‘we must brush now in the morning or in the evening’ in the beginning it was more chill, and if lil one wants to brush at 2pm while Im hanging out washing then that chore stops and we go brush. Our doc handing out toothbrushes as a reward for getting their vaccination really kicked in their excitement for it. School helps to set a routine and getting them to pick their own toothbrush at the shop has helped too. Good luck love
Luckily my first 3 loved brushing their teeth. But my 4th seems o hate it. I’m going to try taking her to the store and letting her pick out her own toothbrush and toothpaste. Hopefully, that works.
I had the hardest time with my 3rd child getting her brush her teeth. I had to figure out a toothpaste she liked, which she was the odd child that loved the mint tasting toothepaste. For timing, I would play a favorite song on my phone so she knew she had to brush until the song was over. Good luck with your little one!
I didn’t have any problems with my son brushing his teeth when he was young! He saw us doing it twice a day and he simply did it, too
Loved this post, Keep sharing!
This information is really helpful for the parents. Thanks for sharing!