Any advice on how to brush my baby's teeth with out making him cry?

Question

my son is 15 month old and i tried the infant soft toothbrush but since i have to stick my finger in his mouth he bites me then i tried a soft toddler toothbrush but since he makes it soo difficult sometimes his gums bleed is that normal?

Answer 1

you know the finger brush you get when there babies try putting that on his finger and let him chew as long as he is getting some type of cleansing h**l be fine and as for the bleeding it might be the toothbrush is still toi big for him

Answer 2

I brush my son's teeth for one ABC song and then he does it for one ABC song.  I give choices whenever possible (do you want to go first or mommy?  top teeth first or bottom teeth? etc.)

Brush gently so it's not painful.  Don't worry too much about cavities yet - these are baby teeth and your child is probably not having a high sugar/corrosive diet.  Offer water only after brushing.  Ask your ped. about a prescription for flouride vitamins.

Answer 3

My advice would be to make brushing your teeth into a fun event. Try sitting him on the counter and allow him to hold the toothbrush while you put toothpaste on it, do the same for your toothbrush, then you start brushing your teeth first and have fun while your doing it (do a silly dance),then he'll see mommy doing it and he'll jump right in. If your worried a/b his gums bleeding contact your family dentist and they can give you some helpful advice regarding that. It may take a while to get him used to the idea of brushing his teeth, but don't panic a/b it. He won't get any cavities as long as he's not taking in a lot of sugar and make it into a routine; for instance I got my son his first toothbrush at 12 months and I started a routine of getting up in the morning, changing his diaper then brushing our teeth as well as b/f bedtime. Eventually it got to the point where he'll walk into the bathroom and wait at the counter. So just be patient, you'll both do great and in no time he'll be a toothbrushing pro. Toddlers change their mind so often so if he didn't mind it b/f he'll more than likely come back around to the idea of brushing.

Answer 4

Don't worry.  Let him play with the toothbrush.  Don't get too worried about specifics, like brushing the right way.

I started by just doing the front teeth.  My daughter is 28 months, and is just now letting me to her back teeth.  She still doesn't know how to spit.

Answer 5

Don't brush with the strength you use to brush your teeth, make sure you are super soft.  Also why don't you let him try and brush his teeth.  Get your toothbrush and brush with him, make it an activity.  If he thinks it is something fun to do, he will start to do it himself or let you help him do it.  

Good luck~

Answer 6

I let my daughter brush her teeth with me. I started her at like 8 months old letting her have the toothbrush and chew on it. She sits on the counter and watches me brush my teeth. I think if you make it fun they will enjoy it.

If they still wont brush... dont worry too much. Cut down sugary foods before bedtime and give a big glass of water.

Answer 7

1.  Let him brush YOUR teeth

2.  Let him brush his own teeth anytime he wants to, like a toy

3.  Do an "Indian" song when your brushing his teeth.  Ahhh-ah-ahhhh, Ahhh-ah-ahhhh, Ahhh-ah-ahhhh, Ahh-ah-ahhh.

Works for my toddlers.  Then we do Eeee-ee-eee for the front teeth.

If all else fails, lay him on his back, sit on his chest with just enough pressure to keep him on his back, use your knees to GENTLY hold his head so he can't turn away.  One hand to hold the jaw, the other hand to hold the toothbrush.

Tell him the sooner he cooperates, then the sooner it will be over with.  Try to be quick but thorough and PERSIST daily until he gives up the struggle.

I had to do this for a little while with both my older girls, and my S-I-L used this method with her son (which is where I picked it up).  You gotta do what you gotta do, otherwise their teeth will fall out before their time.

Answer 8

have a super soft toothbrush. if you have to ask your dentist for help!

good luck :)

Answer 9

Try letting him brush his own teeth. Sounds funny but I worked at a daycare, and this is what we did to get the babies used to the idea of brushing their teeth. We would sing songs about brushing teeth. After a few days, you can ask to help him, if he is ready, he will let you try. Take it slow... sometimes it is hard. Maybe even get an extra tooth brush and let him chew on it during the day... some babies do not like the texture but if he is chewing on it often, hi will get used to it.

Good Luck!!

Answer 10

I let my son do it him self. He pretty much just sucks on the brush! He will let me brush his fronts for a second but not much longer. I think its good to let him do it even if hes not doing such a great job. He will get better or let you do it the older he gets.

We brush our teeth together why he's on my hip! I make a bid deal about it like its really fun! We both clap when we are finished

Answer 11

I don't think it's normal for his gums to bleed, there may be a certain circumstance (ask your dentist) but it sounds like you are getting frustrated and being a little rough.  

My son is 13 months old, and he doesn't totally like to brush his teeth, but I make a "fun" game out of it.  I just act really silly & overly happy and show him how fun it is to brush your teeth.  I bring him to the bathroom when I brush my teeth in the morning and at night.  I give him his baby toothbrush and let him try by himself.  I even tell him to brush mom's teeth and he jabs at my mouth with the brush, haha.  Since he obviously doesn't do a great job of brushing his teeth, I take the brush after and quickly get in there and do a little scrub.  It doesn't have to be for the full 2 minutes like we are told to brush for.  With the bristles being so soft, I don't think that his gums should be bleeding, but see what the dentist has to say.  Also, telling him he's a good boy (even if it's for a couple seconds that you get your brush in there for) will make him happy and want to please you, in turn making it eventually easier on the both of you.  It will take time, like everything else that he has had to learn but patience is key with our little guys :)

Answer 12

Let him brush his teeth before your after you do it. That way he is a big boy and learns to enjoy it, and it gets done properly, and he learns how to do it himself