The joys of brushing a toddler's pearly whites 🤪 - Amy Davidson

Oh the joys of bushing a toddler’s pearly whites! I have to say Lennox is “pretty” cooperative but sometimes he flat out says, “no!” Which is funny because I’m brushing his teeth whether he agrees or not and unfortunately his health is more important to me than simply acquiescing and making him happy for the moment. I learned from the dentist how important it is to brush our babies teeth at the minimum once a day. But she prefers twice. I really fight for the twice a day!! I go for the first right before nap, as the dentist said the most important times are before sleeping. And then obviously before bed. I have a couple tricks up my sleeve that I’d love to share and if you have any please comment below. Because let’s face it, we all need all the support, advice and “tricks” we can get! 😆

• I sing to Lennox. There’s a cute toothbrush song we heard on Raffi Radio and I can’t remember all of it but part of the song goes like this-

When I wake up in the morning and it’s a quarter to one, and I’m looking to have a little fun, I brush my teeth. Then you make a brushing sound!!! Chhhh Chhhh Chhh Chhh ChhhhChhChhChh! When I wake up in the morning and its a quarter to two…. And so on…. He loves it! LOL<< strong>I pretend to struggle. When Len bites down on the toothbrush I make it seem like it’s really hard to pull the toothbrush out of his mouth and I’m struggling. He laughs and laughs! Then his mouth is open and I can get to those chompers!

• I give him a book. Might not work for all kids but he’s a book worm and if he has a book in his hands he’s usually happy.

• I let him brush his teeth for a bit. After he’s some I go in for the real cleaning.