Comments on: How to Brush Your Toddler's Teeth

on 8/31/2008 Thanks for the tips...I'll need to try out some of these tips out with my toddler!

on 8/31/2008 I'll have to try some of these tips with my toddler...thanks!

- http://www.toddleratplay.com

on 3/23/2006 Use only a pea-size amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush. If your child can't spit yet, wipe out their mouth with a damp washcloth.

on 11/22/2005 Every night we brush our teeth together. My toddler hands out the brushes and squeezes the tooth paste (if it's too much we just shake it off when she is not watching). We make sure she gets up teeth and down teeth. If there is a lot of resistance, then dad holds her in his arms (like a bride) while she hangs her head down, looking into the mirror while I brush her teeth quickly. When she was younger we could literally hold her upside down by her feet for a few seconds to quickly brush all the teeth.

on 11/22/2005 It's hard to brush the front of the toddler's teeth (where they need it the most). I growl and make a Frankenstein face at my son when we are brushing his teeth. He mimics me while I scrub his front teeth.

on 11/22/2005 Remember the trips to the doctor's office? Open up and say "Ahhh"! I sing Ahhh along with my daughter and make a song of it (think do-re-mi). It's great fun and when she closes her mouth, I stop singing - which encourages her to keep her mouth open.

on 11/22/2005 My toddler has fun copying me as I brush my teeth. I over exaggerate when I brush the back teeth so that he tries it and gets all his teeth. A battery operated toothbrush is around $6 and is fun for him. It also allows him to do the work but lets me feel confident that his teeth are actually getting clean.

on 11/22/2005 Tell your child that you are looking for animals, what will we find today? A pelican, a porcupine, a frog... my 2 yr old loves this game.

on 11/22/2005 My son is Mr. Mayhem himself. This method keeps him still - he actually looks forward to it. When it's time to brush, I sit, my legs in a "V." My son lies down, head on leg and I can see all his teeth. I make funny faces and steal kisses. He has fun!

on 11/22/2005 Use a product like Baby Orajel for your child's teeth, if he or she is under age 2. At this age, they don't know how to spit out toothpaste, and instead swallow it. Too much of this can lead to discolored permanent teeth.

on 11/22/2005 Purchase a cheap battery-powered toothbrush. Small children get a big kick out of brushing by themselves and can do a fairly good job with an electric one. You can get one for $6 to $8 - just in case it ends up in the bathtub!

on 11/22/2005 After you've brushed their teeth, let them hold the toothbrush to "finish up" on their own.

on 11/22/2005 Let your child help you brush your teeth and then you can help them brush their teeth.