It is actually quite humorous that I am writing an article titled “Brushing Your Baby’s Teeth”!  My neighbors could attest to the fact that someone else out there must be better at it.  Bella screams, wrestles and puts up a fight when it is toothbrushing time.  Much of the time, she clamps her lips tightly closed so her lips really are what gets cleaned.  So far, my efforts at brushing her teeth are frequently upsetting and infrequently successful, but I am not giving up.  I thought it would be best to search around and see how other people are addressing the issue.

1. Forget the bathroom.  Brush baby’s teeth while she’s strapped in the high chair.
2. Make it fun. Sing a silly toothbrushing song.
3. Encourage your child to watch you brush your own teeth.
4. Alternatively, let them watch themselves in the mirror while their teeth are brushed.
5. Make it a predictable habit.  Same time, same place, everyday.
6. Oral-B isn’t the only option.  What about the Baby Banana Brush?
7. Take your time.  Often brushing teeth is one of the last things we do, but pressuring Bella to do it quickly is probably not helping solve my problem.
8. Teach your baby to say, “Ahhh…” on command.  Impossible to say without opening her mouth.
9. Use a yummy, non-fluoride toothpaste, like Baby Orajel.
10. For the little babies, use a finger toothbrush.
11. Start early.  At first Bella was fine with us brushing her gums, but when she didn’t have teeth, it was dropped from her bedtime routine as it seemed pointless and she was so wonderful about it.  Now that she has teeth, we wish that we had kept up the habit, even it it had been just a brief brushing session each day.
12. Be patient and calm.  (ACK!!!  I’ll try…)  The mom of a happy Kung Fu Hello Kitty toothbrushing baby gives me hope.

Does anyone have any other tips?  Please write in.  I’ll let you know what works best for us.

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