I know that kids generally dislike brushing their teeth, but Ari has an extreme aversion to it. When I tell him to brush his teeth, he takes the brush, opens his mouth, eats the toothpaste, turns to me and says “All done!”
Well, that’s not my version of “All done.” He won’t dare let me brush his teeth. When I ask him to open his mouth he says:
“NO! I wanna do it! It’s my turn!”
I’ve tried to force my way into his mouth, but this ends with him screaming and me crying out of utter frustration.
This is a big problem. I was concerned that his teeth were going to rot out of his head the way he “brushes” them, so I made him a pediatric dentist appointment, which Wil took him to today.
Like many health care professionals that I’ve lost faith in over the years, the dentist had no real advice. She offered the following suggestions:
1. Get a smaller toothbrush.
Yeah, his toothbrush is pretty damn small.
2. Brush them while he’s in the bathtub.
What a great idea, if only he’d let me brush them!
3. Get a tastier flavored toothpaste.
Right…so he can eat the entire tube!
Do your kids brush their teeth without a fight? What should I do to get this kid to brush his teeth?!