“sometimes I feel like I’m choosing between a tantrum and actual dental hygiene, and neither option feels great.”
That line sums it up for me. My son is three and brushing his teeth is basically a WWE match most nights. I’ve tried the songs, the silly voices, the “let’s brush Elmo’s teeth first!” routine—sometimes it works, sometimes he just glares at me like I’m the villain in his bedtime story. I’ve also wondered if all these tricks are just me trying to feel less guilty about not actually getting his teeth clean. There are nights where he just chews on the brush and I’m like, “Well, at least he’s not screaming?”
We tried one of those light-up brushes too. He just used it as a lightsaber and whacked his sister. Honestly, I think some kids just need time to get used to it. My dentist said as long as I’m trying and not making it traumatic, it’ll click eventually. But yeah, I’ve seen those “just hold them down” posts and I’m not sure I could do it without feeling like a wrestling coach.
If it helps, my friend’s kid hated brushing until he was about four, and now he’s obsessed with it. Maybe there’s hope for us yet...
I feel you on the guilt—sometimes I’m convinced my daughter’s going to need dentures by kindergarten because she just clamps her mouth shut or turns brushing into a snack. I’ve tried all the “fun” stuff too and honestly, half the time I just hope a few bristles hit some teeth. The “hold them down” advice always made me super anxious... like, is that even good for their trust? Anyway, your dentist sounds right—if we’re not making it scary, maybe that’s enough for now. It’s weirdly reassuring to hear other kids eventually get into it.
That “turns brushing into a snack” line cracked me up—my kid legit tried to eat the toothpaste tube once. I totally get the anxiety about holding them down, it just feels wrong. It’s kind of comforting knowing most kids eventually figure it out, even if we’re just winging it for now.
I remember when my grandkids were little, brushing time was always a bit of a circus. I used to wonder if making it playful would actually help, or if it just turned into more of a distraction. Has anyone noticed if using music or those toothbrushes that light up really makes a difference, or is it more about setting a clear routine? Sometimes I think the novelty wears off pretty quickly, but maybe I'm just old-fashioned.
I’ve wondered the same thing about the novelty factor. When my niece was around five, she was obsessed with her “singing” toothbrush for maybe a month, then barely cared. In my experience, the routine seems to stick more than the gimmicks, but I’m curious—do kids actually brush better with those light-up brushes, or is it just more fun for them?
Also, does anyone notice if kids start resisting brushing when it’s always a game? Like, does it make it harder to get them to take it seriously as they get older? I’m all for making things fun, but I sometimes think the more basic approach—same time every day, same steps—ends up being less of a battle long-term. Or am I just underestimating how much those little rewards matter?