Okay, so I'm finally getting on the Rocks In My Dryer bandwagon. Today is BACKWARDS DAY for Works-For-Me Wednesday, and I am supposed to ask all ya'll a question.
So here it is: how do you care for the teeth of a spastic 20-month-old? At this point, I just give her a tooth brush when she asks for it (which is every couple days), and she chews on it and gives it back. I'm concerned that this may be inadequate.
I can't imagine her ever sitting still and letting someone else brush her teeth - she is NOT that kind of baby - but she certainly isn't accomplishing a thorough tooth cleaning on her own. Do I need to be concerned about this? I can't be the only person faced with this problem. What do you do?
Thanks!
5 comments:
Jenni,
I have 9 children, and this has been a nightmare for us! All I can say is that if you persist, it will pay off!
There are a few things that have helped me.
1. I brush at the same time. I just load up my toothbrush and start brushing, and my daughter wants to imitate.
2. I use that Barney song about brushing teeth. It works!
3. I bought my children electric brushes, and they love how they tickle the tongue. That has helped a lot.
4. I let my dd brush MY teeth when she was littler, and then she wanted to cooperate more.
Good luck!
Martie
Yeah, you really should be brushing your daughter's teeth at least once per day, if not twice.
My son was the most difficult, but I found that if we started our kids right from day one, it was less of a chore. That doesn't really help you, though, does it?! With my son, I have to get inventive. My husband tells him we have to get the sugar bugs out. I take it further by telling him his toothbrush is a superhero and is going to save his teeth! And as unpleasant as it may be, sometimes you just have to force the issue and brush even if they don't like it. You don't want to have bigger problems down the line.
My 20 month old hates having his teeth brushed, (used to love it, so go figure) so this may sound mean but I lay him on the floor, so I can pin his arms with my knees (very gently I might add) and then I make funny sounds like AAHHH, EEEE, OOO, he likes to imitate these and that's how I get his mouth open and distract him from what is actually happening.
i do the same as happy geek, but first i give my son a choice. i tell him he can brush his teeth or mama is going to do it for him. he usually does it himself. if he doesn't, then i do it for him. he brushes 2x a day. i decided it's one of the non-negotiables for him.
Hi Jenni,
This may or may not help, but I hand over Shannon's little brush with a little amount of non flouride tooth paste (little bear oragel tooth paste) and let her chew away, while I brush mine at the same time. When she says that she's done and won't brush any longer I pick her up and set her against me in front of the bathroom mirror and describe that one tooth in the back that really wants a brushin' and ask her to cheese for herself in the mirror. Then whenever possible in that little span of time I brush gently,but swiftly as many little buds as I can get. I have also held her down and that just sets us back. When it's all over I make the biggest fuss over what a great job my "BIG GIRL" did. Sometimes if she doesn't put up a fight I give her a sticker. (sometimes) Also you could start telling her that Pooh Bear won't come on until her teeth are brushed, like the tv won't play it if she didn't brush.
LOVE ya
Heather
Post a Comment