how to get daughter to use toothpaste

[sassybooboos]

my 3yr old wont use toothpaste says doesn't like taste.

it has cost me a fortune i have tried every flavour going and even one with glitter in it.

i have only just got her to use a toothbrush by buying one of those battery ones.

anyone got any ideas, as im really worried about her getting problems with her teeth.

[TAG]

My DD went through a stage where she didn't like any tooth paste. Not much you can do til they decide to like it again really.

As long as your l/o is at least brushing even without toothpaste it's gotta be better than not brushing at all.

Maybe someone else will be along shortly with a bit more useful advice.

[Maz]

You can get kiddies toothpaste in different flavours like strawberry etc. Pretty sure I've seen them in places like Tesco, big supermarkets etc. Maybe she doesn't like the minty taste?

[cannylass]

my youngest DD was the same. there was fruit flavoured toothpaste called "Punch and Judy" (i think) available in some chemists that she would use.:confused:

thankfully, now 17 she uses "normal" toothpaste!

[sassybooboos]

tried every flavour going, strawberry, tutti fruity, orange, slightly minty, tutti fruity but with glitter.

not seen a chocolate flavour one yet as im sure she would like that one.

[toejumper]

my dd is the same i get the flavoured ones from tesco, but shes nearly 8 and our dentist has told us that these are not suitable anymore as she has a lot of adult teeth, so were going to have a lot of tantrums in our house as she refuses to use anything else. but the flavoured ones are ok for a 3 year old. try the banana one seems to be a hit with my dd

[Violetta]

I had my wee girl at the dentist last month, (she will be 3 in a few months) and the dentist told me to get her onto a proper fluoride toothpaste asap, as most of the kid's ones have V little or no fluoride & we live in an area where they don't add flouride in the water, luckily my dd likes mint & was no bother with a mildmint toothpaste.
I know this isn't much help for your daughter op sorry ,but thought it may help other's. Surely all these flavours just encourage a sweet tooth whilst trying to prevent the damage a sweet tooth does???

[ailuro2]

Have you tried the bubblegum flavour ones? That's what our DD used to use. It helped that I said bubblegum flavour wasn't really allowed and if she got it she'd have to use it without her Daddy seeing the flavour!.;)

DD hated mint, but now she's 9 she's better.

Colgate's millkteeth one was pretty bland, iirc.

[morg_monster]

When I was about 7 I went through a phase of refusing to use toothpaste; I hated mint and at that time there were no alternatives like there are now. My mum asked her dentist about it and he said that there wasn't really a problem with just using water as long as I brushed really well and rinsed out after. Also said I should have a drink of milk after the last thing I ate in the evening, and swish it around my mouth before swallowing.
A year or so later I started using it again. Never had any dental problems in my life; not even a filling.
Anyway I wouldn't stress too much about it; if you do your daughter might go off brushing completely. Just make sure she has a good 2 minute brush in the morning and evening, it is the action of brushing which removes all the bits of food; toothpaste just makes your breath smell nicer and gives a bit of extra protection. Maybe find out from your water company whether your water is fluoridated - if it isn't, you may have to try a different tack.

[rufus79]

I wonder if it is the taste, or maybe it might be more the 'feel' that she doesn't like? I went through a stage of not liking toothpaste - mum was using colgate, but tried milkteeth etc and I just didn't like it. Then one night dad put some of his toothpaste (SR, don't think you can get it now) and wow, no foam! It made all the difference. Now I use a bicarbonate of soda based paste that doesn't foam eaither. Far better in my opinion!

[Riq]

Aquafresh was the only toothpaste I would use when young.

The pretty colours and I'd sing the song.

I was a strange child looking back :(

[Toothsmith]

I really don't like all the sweet flavour toothpastes that are out there.

It would be better to brush the teeth with nothing rather than use those.

It reinforces the idea to the kid that if they make enough fuss, a better (sweeter) alternative will magically appear.

This will cause all sorts of other dentally related bad habits as she gets older.

Just the tiniest smear of adult toothpaste will be all that's needed as soon as she wants something more than a bland brush.

[shazrobo]

Aquafresh was the only toothpaste I would use when young.

The pretty colours and I'd sing the song.

I was a strange child looking back :(
my sons a 13 and thats their fav too, cos of the colours

[amandada]

I've not gone down the road of the fruity toothpastes for my kids for all the reasons Toothsmith has said. I wasn't popular with my son for a while, but it really was just a case of saying you have to do this, I don't care if you don't like the taste (god I'm horrible!)

[Riq]

my sons a 13 and thats their fav too, cos of the colours
I forgot to mention I didn't stop using it until I was about 20. :o

[liney]

My 3 year old hated mint tooth paste, but i found one from Colgate with a 'Shrek' packaging - strictly speaking its for 6 years plus, but the dentist said it would do him no harm as long as he spits at the end of brushing and doesn't eat the tube. He will now use 'grown up' toothpaste if need be at grandparents etc.

Is there a charactor you can bribe her with ?

[Cornishpixie]

Hi, I give my DS3 drink of water afterwards from his favourite beaker. How about a sticker chart for brusing her teeth. Maybe a book from the library about a visit to the dentist explaining the importance of brushing. I guess it's about trying not to make too much of a fuss around the issue and making things fun. Try both racing to the bathroom in the morning to brush your teeth together.Guarentee she'll get there first;) :rotfl:

[Zazen999]

Kids and teeth huh; I have only just managed to get my OH's daughter [she's 11 tomorrow] to brush by the sticker method. She is with us only part of the time and took 2 months to earn 20 stickers; which is £5; which she used to buy an xbox game on ebay.

[jackomdj]

My DD uses our toothpaste & always has, however she has a star chart & brushing her teeth is one of the things on here. I always tell her if she does not get enough stars she won't go to ballet.

Also, try stopping anything sweet - unless you use the proper toothpaste you can't have sweet things......I know this would work on my DD age 3 1/2.

Nicky

[bloomin freezing]

I know it doesn't help you, but i've always used our adult toothpast on my dd, who's nearly 3. The way I see it is that she just had to get used to it, why bother with fruity flavours to then have the tantrums when they need to change? If they don't know about it they won't miss it. I was the same toilet training her. Why bother with the stress of getting them onto a potty, to then go and change everything and then get them onto the toilet?

Just my 10 pence worth. :-)

[sassybooboos]

thanks for all your help will just have to perservere.

im sure she will see sense at some point.

[Savvy_Sue]

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