My 2.5 yo dd HATES getting her teeth brushed. We have tried it all - the 'holding her down' and brushing her teeth approach (in a nice way of course!); using a battery operated toothbrush (she didn't like it); and even saying 'once you have a turn then Mommy can have a turn'. We have tried to sing songs while we brush to make it fun, we have told her that we need to get all the 'sugar monsters' out and also that she needs to have her teeth brushed well to keep them strong and healthy. NOTHING has worked! HELP! Does anyone have any suggestions?!

Ugh.
I've not had to deal with any resisting so badly. It's simply..'time to brush' I brush then they can brush. I think it works better for hub or I to brush first, rather than the child, that way it's not giving them 'too' much 'control' over the situation. That way...if they like brushing their teeth, you can say...let momma brush as we sing Happy Birthday (or Jesus loves me or something short like that) then when I'm finished it will be your turn. Gives them something to look forward to. But if they don't even like the brushing themselves part..oy.

I think that's when I'd resort to disciplinary actions. "Brushing is *not* an option, it is a requirement. To fight/resist, is disobedience and will be treated as any other act of disobedience" which in my house, would be a spanking.

Then...if they behave and let mom or dad brush FIRST for say...3 or 4 days...then they can be allowed a day of brushing first, THEN mom or dad follows. After that day, go back to parents first brushing..follow that cycle if all continues to go well.

HTH

Like I said, I've not had to deal with such resistance. A little 'ugh' here and there, but quickly resolved with..let momma do it first then you can..but momma says when she's done, NOT you ;)

I agree with Tara.

But what helped me, the internet. I looked up pictures of little kids with rotten teeth. Showed my dd what happens when you don't brush. Then I explain what the dentist have to do if you have (sugar monsters).

This worked. But my dd also loves to do what we do. Do you let her try to brush them by herself?

I agree with Tara.

But what helped me, the internet. I looked up pictures of little kids with rotten teeth. Showed my dd what happens when you don't brush. Then I explain what the dentist have to do if you have (sugar monsters).

This worked. But my dd also loves to do what we do. Do you let her try to brush them by herself?

This is what helped us with our oldest dd!!! She was so scared of having "ugly" teeth that she never put up a fight again... :) now *she* reminds *us* that she needs to brush! :)