I’m so exhausted. Can someone please help me?

Question

Im a single mom and have been trying to get my almost 2.5 yr old to brush his teeth but he HATESS it with a passion. Ive been trying for awhile now!
I do blame myself alot for not starting much earlier. I really should have, I know, I get it, pls no shaming here.😞
Ive done songs, “oh no bugs in your teeth!”, brushing together, electric toothbrush etc and he still screams and says NOOOOOOO!
I usually have to hold him down and do it which he screams and fights me for too.
How can I get him to do it on his own?!?
The amount of guilt I feel is so immense that I took the day off work today because I am mentally EXHAUSTED from trying to find a way. Please help!

Answer

Im literally sitting on my bathroom floor bawling my eyes out, feeling like such a failure as a mom😞. We haven’t even started potty training, which I will do in the new year. Hes not ready. He still loves his pacifier and currently trying to get rid of that. Lots of crying. This is a LOT as a single mom. Yes I see a therapist too. I just… just thanks for reading. I feel like every other mom is do ahead of me and I’m failing my son. Hes known for being such a happy kid, but here I am feeling like the biggest failure of a mom. This is a sucky feeling.

Answer

There is a finger tooth brush silicone
Do it same time on yourself as well and cartoon about brushing teeth
Use sensitive toothpaste 
I’m sure you can call support lines for moms x
Lots of love, sent

Answer

There are U shaped toothbrushes on Amazon. My youngest loved it. We have also used the phone app Pokemon Smile with my kids. You set the time and if they brush well enough it allows them to catch a Pokemon. It even shows them which teeth to brush when.

Answer

2 tricks that usually worked for us were switching to the finger brush, or 2 brushes at the same time eg  you have a brush and he has a brush at the same time. But it may be that the brush makes him feel gaggy because of the stick, so try the finger brush, a silicone teether like the banana brush teether, or you can even use a soft washcloth for now until he gets bigger. We also only enforce brushing once a day when theyre young. Morning brushing is mostly for bad breath vs actual cleaning. My kids are ages 4-10 and have never had a bad dental check up from evening only brushing when they were little. Also brush soon after dinner vs right before bed when theyre tired and the last thing they wanna do is brush when they already hate bedtime.

Answer

I still have to pin down my 3 yr old twice a day to brush. It’s very annoying!

Answer

This can be such a normal experience and struggle. You're not alone. I highly suggest that you take him to a pediatric dentist for a cleaning every 6 months and they can give you tips on brushing at home. I have been exactly where you are. I would just have to have my husband lay our child on his lap and keep her arms down and I would get right in and brush her teeth. She would kick, cry, scream and it was absolutely draining BUT her dentist let me know how great her teeth looked and assured me I was doing a great job even though my child fought every time, her teeth were in perfect condition at her visits so it was so worth the struggle. It gets easier as they get older. You're doing a great job.

Answer

My daughter was like this. I legit just had to hold her down nightly. I took her to the dentist and they showed me how to pin her. She’d scream and cry but now she’s regularly brushing her teeth. Was it the best approach, no. It was awful having her scream and cry but it got the job done. But if that’s how the dentist does it, I trust it. I also made sure to praise any tooth brushing she did. I let her practice brushing my teeth, brushing her stuffed animals teeth. Consistency and routine is key. Don’t beat yourself up for it, we all struggle with parenting. We’re all in it together. sounds like your doing your best and recognizing you’re feelings. Keep it up ❤️

Answer

What does he do if you just give it to him. Chew on it?

I’m so exhausted. Can someone please help me?

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