As most parents can relate, I have 2 very head strong toddlers.  Brushing teeth can be even more painful than bathtime!  I'd like to share some of the things I've tried that have proved to be very helpful in good oral hygiene.

First, START EARLY!!  Get your child used to the idea of something rubbing against their gums, tongue and the roof of their mouth.  A wet washcloth as babies worked best for me.  I then graduated to the little rubber finger cover.  Then lastly a toothbrush. 

Have available several different soft bristled toothbrushes for each child.  As little people, having choices in something as simple as a toothbrush goes a LONG way!

I've noticed that my childrens gums seem to be extra sensitive at times.  Remember that as their diet grows, chewing food can be hard and irritating to gums because their teeth are so small and irregularly spaced.

Taking this into thought, I always place a small amount of age appropriate "toothpaste" on their brush, get it wet and hand it to them asking them to make their smiles/teeth "pretty".  If you can, set them up on the counter so that they can watch themselves do it.  Standing behind them with your own toothbrush can be quite effective also.

Let them have a good run at it!  Little hands are uncoordinated, and they can get overwhelmed with you pointing out how to do it.  My 16 month old will just chew on it, but even that is doing something!

When they start to get bored (or you do!), turn them around to face you and ask for the toothbrush (sometimes I have to take while I ask). 

Make a game of this next part!  My 2 year old loves to open up and say "AHH" while I "tickle" her teeth.  Of course she usually chomps right down!  Always smiling/laughing I tell her something silly, such as "Hey, wait!  I missed one!"  Of course, this is my chance to switch sides.  Doing the inner part of the teeth first is much more effective.  Asking them to smile can sometimes allow you to brush the outside of the rear teeth and of course the front teeth with little resistance.

A couple of things to remember...  Don't push hard while brushing!  Don't get exasperated when a toddler doesn't cooperate, this is probably one of those things they feel they have some control over! (Awful hard to get into a mouth that doesn't want to open!)  Persistance WILL pay off! 

A little time and effort today could save a lot of money (for you) and pain (for them) in the future!

Lastly, have fun!  Even if they do it and refuse to let you, every little bit helps!

**Never let a child run with a toothbrush in their mouth!**

**Use age appropriate toothpaste!  Most toddlers don't understand spitting until around age 3**