We only brush Treg’s teeth in the evening before bed. The routine is put on pajamas, then Mama or Dada brush his teeth while he watches Disney song videos on YouTube. He used to be very squirmy/resistant but improved over the years so we don’t have any issues.
We want to start brushing his teeth in the morning also, after his bottle. I tried this morning for the first time and he resisted. I told him we’d have Disney songs just like at night and explained why we need to brush his teeth more often. He still resisted.
How can we successfully adjust his morning routine to incorporate teeth brushing?
Answer:
Hi and thank you for your question.
Since he has shown that he likes Disney songs at night when brushing his teeth, for the morning, I would first start off by having a picture of brushing teeth set up visible for him to see and for you to refer him to it when it is time to brush.
In addition, before you start the process of toothbrushing, I would have Disney music playing already for him to hear and be curious about where it is coming from. As an added bonus, you may also want to cue up a Disney video for him to view as he brushes his teeth in the morning just as a way to pair up this new routine. You can maybe also try to have him brush a Disney character or stuffed animal's teeth alongside him to see if he finds that reinforcing as well.
Eventually you can fade this out to just the songs he hears once he becomes more comfortable with brushing in the morning.
Hi and thank you for your question.
Since he has shown that he likes Disney songs at night when brushing his teeth, for the morning, I would first start off by having a picture of brushing teeth set up visible for him to see and for you to refer him to it when it is time to brush.
In addition, before you start the process of toothbrushing, I would have Disney music playing already for him to hear and be curious about where it is coming from. As an added bonus, you may also want to cue up a Disney video for him to view as he brushes his teeth in the morning just as a way to pair up this new routine. You can maybe also try to have him brush a Disney character or stuffed animal’s teeth alongside him to see if he finds that reinforcing as well.
Eventually you can fade this out to just the songs he hears once he becomes more comfortable with brushing in the morning.
Thank you for these suggestions. I printed a drawing of a child brushing his teeth. When I show it to Treg he says, “I don’t want to brush teeth.” I do get him to brush teeth on a stuffed animal and a plastic mouth of teeth we have. When I play a Disney song he comes over to see it but when I ask him to lay his head on my lap he knows what’s going to happen and resists, telling me to turn off the song. He sees me brush his 2 year old sister’s teeth. Any further suggestions or do we need to just give it time and keep trying?
Hi Kim,
I suggest you continue trying the suggestions mentioned in our first email together for a little longer. However, I also propose that you try having your son stand in front of a mirror with you while you both hold toothbrushes and break down the steps of toothbrushing into segments instead of laying his head on your lap while brushing.
For example, while standing in front of the mirror, play some Disney songs in the background. Hold the toothbrush up to the mirror in front of you both and see if he will imitate you. After that, see if he will imitate you touching the toothbrush to his lips for a count of 5, then pause and bring the toothbrush down. Then see if he will touch his teeth with the toothbrush for a count of 5. You can count to 5 out loud or use your fingers to show the passing of time. You can do with either as he imitates you do this to yourself, or you can help him do these steps while you guide and prompt him. The more he starts to do himself the better, so as soon as you see and feel him doing any of these steps on his own, start to fade your prompting.
Move on to wetting the toothbrush under water and bringing it to his teeth for a count of 5. Try to get a count of 5 with the toothbrush in his mouth, on his lips, front teeth, bottom teeth, upper sides (right and left), and lower sides (right and left), but make sure you are pausing for a count of 5 seconds out loud and then take a pause/break.
Move on to adding toothpaste, but I do think you should assess this a little further. Sometimes mint-flavored or strong-tasting toothpaste can be overpowering, so assess the flavors that he seems to like and go with that. Sometimes that simple change can make all the difference.
Keep me posted on how this goes after trying this 🙂
Thank you for this suggestion. He’s resistant to holding the toothbrush in front of the mirror. We haven’t been consistent with asking him to though, and have only tried in the morning. We will also try before bed since it would be easier to adjust that part of the routine than to add a new element to the morning routine.