[HBV]

H has been a late teether, but all of the sudden, he's got a bunch of new ones, including molars. We didn't introduce the toothbrush as early as we should have. Once the new teeth popped in, I started to try a little harder, but H wants none of it. He seems to be of the opinion that the toothbrush and the snot sucker are in league against him. (He has "hidden" the snot sucker in the trashcan on more than one occasion when he managed to get his hands on it. I'm sure he'd do the same to the toothbrush except that he can't reach it.)

Attempts to use either device result in a spirited game of chase, screaming, thrashing, and not exactly what you'd call merriment. The sucker I can live with, as it's not an every day necessity, but what do I do about the toothbrushing? Ideas?

[StorkWatcher]

Well, A. was a little skeptical about his toothbrush at first (even when he had only 2 tiny tooth buds). But he loves to brush his teeth now!

In the beginning I did not use ANY toothpaste, but would wet his brush. Once he watched me brush my teeth, then I would let him brush my teeth or hold onto it while I brushed, he really thought it was neat.

So then I would hand him his while I did mine (I started first). I would sing a little song, too as he did his. (I think it subconsciously comes from Grease and the slumber party scene- "brusha brusha brusha, brusha brush your teeth"). He'll mostly just chew on his, but then I always get to finish up his mouth.

He has to be in the right mood. It's not something I can do last minute before bed when he's really tired. right after his bath works well, and after a morning bottle when he's getting dressed.

I do have some toddler/baby gum/tooth paste. I will dot a tiny bit on the brush, then rinse it off, so there's just a bit of flavor.

It took us a few tries, and I would several times simply let him chew on it a few seconds then hand it back to me. Gradually, he liked to do it for longer periods.

Good luck! It's a fun ritual now. I hope he continues to like to do it!

[Bexter]

Mine was another bad brusher. What worked for him was a Dora toothbrush and berry flavored toddler toothpaste. I let him "brush" 1st and tell him it's his turn. Then I tell him "mommy's turn", take the brush, and start brushing. I sing the ABC's song.

It took a few months, but ended up working well. Now at 2 he doesn't mind getting his teeth brushed.

[ourdreamcametru]

We've been using the teeth cleaning gel by first years and Castle did fine but this grocery trip I switched to a Dora toothbrush and Dora toothpaste and she HATES it! I am now mixing just a dot of the cleaning gel and the toothpaste and she is at least putting it in her mouth again! Not sure how clean we are getting right now but she'll come around soon I hope.

[britfish]

One thing we did in the begining is sing "aaaaaahhhhh" to get the back one, and "eeeeeee" to get the front ones. She sang loud and we brushed at the same time doing it and she loved it.

[HBV]

OK, you guys are great!!

The tips worked so well that now he fusses when I take the toothbrush away!

[StorkWatcher]

Yayyyy! H.! Another big fan of the Toothbrush Game! I was just wondering this morning how he was doing.

What worked the best for you?

[SchmennaLeigh]

Nick's toothbrush is a fire truck (battery powered) that has lights when it's turned on.

He loves it.

[HBV]

Stork, it was your brusha brusha song, and perhaps also that he suddenly realized the toothbrush felt good on his gums. Plus I found Baby Einstein brand (the power of licensing!) tooth gel. Now he wants my toothbrush as well.

Jenna, H would LOVE a toothbrush that lit up---but I am afraid then that I would never get it away from him.

[Sniffles]

I am going to try some of these ideas. My problem is that Cammie hates the taste of the toothpaste. We tried most of the kids toothpaste, one of them being the Blue's Clues that has the singing cap. She just really hates the taste. Right now we have Colgate Jr. Bubble Fruit. She tolerates it, but still does not like it.

[britfish]

Are you guys still using the baby type toothpaste or the kid toothpaste w/ flouride that they have to spit?

[Sniffles]

I've tried both and she hates the taste of both.

[StorkWatcher]

Only the baby baby stype. Stage 1 maybe? Oral B?

BUt I am heading out to look for that Baby Einstein brand soon! WE LOVE BABY EINSTEIN!

[Sniffles]

Does he like the taste of Baby Einstein? I have not tried that yet and I wonder if she will like it.

[HBV]

I think Oral B makes it. I only bought it in my desperate stage thinking that the BE characters on the tube might distract him.
He seems to like it fine---I personally did not taste it, but it smells fruit flavored. H is really easy about new tastes, though.