Lisa in Indiana
09-26-2004, 10:31 PM
:confused: My 3 yr old dd will not brush her teeth! Does anyone else have this problem? She has some kind of phobia about brushing. She absolutely refuses. I have tried everything to get her to comply. You know, bribing and pretending to do mine, or her baby doll's teeth. I even tried holding her down and brushing them myself and that just ended up in one of the worse meltdowns I have seen in a while. I also tried waiting until she was good and asleep, and at least scrape off the yuckies and she woke from a dead sleep and grabbed it out of my hand! I am at a loss. Her teeth have build up on them, which is gross. I also notice that her gums are getting red and swollen (from lack of brushing I assume). She has such pretty teeth, I hate to see her end up with gum disease or cavities before her permanent teeth even get here. She used to at least try to brush them. About 6 months ago, that stopped, and it was sort of like hit or miss...one day she would, the next not...and now it's just a BIG, BIG NOOOOOO!!!!! everytime and ends up in a screaming fit.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
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Soulcatcher
09-26-2004, 10:49 PM
You can try this...When she is in the bath just kinda throw in her tooth brush and say "what was that" ..."what are you supposed to do with that?" She may just pick it up and do it and then pretend like it was her idea. Make a game out of it. Give it to her when your in the car. Maybe if she is alone with it and your not a part of it then she might try it. She may not like the pressure. Kids are funny like that and very smart. I'm sure she wants to be independant. The bath may work though.
edaisy80
09-27-2004, 01:59 AM
I had this same problem with my son. Now I can't get him to stop brushing LOL. I used to have to hold him down have his brother who is older brush the fronts of his teeth while I held his gums open because he would clamp his teeth. Anyway then at school one day they take care of your teeth week and they showed the kids this video of a big singing tooth brushing and other kids on the video (cartoons) brushing and he just started brushing again. Now he brushes about 6-7 times a day. I don't know where you would be able to find a video like this. maybe if she has her own dentist you could ask them if they have that video and where you could purchase it. Also Blues Clues has an episode all about taking care of yourself. Eating healthy, brushing teeth, the basics of eveyday life. Wal-mart may carry this video I just remember seeing it on tv one day. Its got Steve in it not Joe so its an older episode. Hopefully some of this has helped. I know how stressful it can be. Like I said earlier we were able to brush caleb's teeth up front and on the sides but his mouth wasn't open to brush on back or where they touched. This went on for quite a while before he seen that video. I took him to the dentist and he had a cavilty in his back tooth that was horrible because they had to fill it. Now hes doing good. And we've been back 2 times since then and his teeth are great. He actually just lost his first 2 baby teeth about 2 weeks ago. I can call his teacher and see if they still have the video and find out what the name of it is and post it if you would like. Just let me know. Good luck.
Lisa in Indiana
09-27-2004, 09:41 AM
edaisy,
that would be great...I know she likes watching video's so maybe that would work. I have asked our dentist and they were totally clueless in how to deal with a spectrum child. She is just so delayed in everything, even potty training. I am SOO SOO sick of changing her poopy diapers. She refuses to even try to go on the potty chair. I have tried all the tactics for this too and she won't budge...LOL...I guess she is going to start kindergarten in diapers!!! :D
that would be great...I know she likes watching video's so maybe that would work. I have asked our dentist and they were totally clueless in how to deal with a spectrum child. She is just so delayed in everything, even potty training. I am SOO SOO sick of changing her poopy diapers. She refuses to even try to go on the potty chair. I have tried all the tactics for this too and she won't budge...LOL...I guess she is going to start kindergarten in diapers!!! :D
ang64063
09-27-2004, 02:22 PM
Maybe you could also try those new toothpaste dots (I think Aqua Fresh makes them).
edaisy80
09-27-2004, 10:46 PM
Lisa I know how you feel. It seemed like I did everything with Caleb. He finally was potty trained 2 months before his 4th birthday. I quit buying diaper and bought pull ups & let him pick his own underwear. He wore pull ups when we went out and underwear at home. Luckily I also found some other underwear at the dollor tree there was 3 pairs in the pack. So I bought like 5 packs and his 2 packs he picked from wal-mart. So he kinda knew that if he messed in his favorites he'd have to wear his not so favorite ones. I would was them and put them up until he went through all of his others before I gave them back to him. I have to still kinda hide his favorite underwear & clothes so he doen't wear them everyday to school. He will pull them right out of the dryer and put them back on. Caleb also slept in his underwear he didn't like getting wet. I just washed his blankets every morning for about 2 months until he got to where he wouldn't pee in the bed. He was better at night then in the day. Then one day we were going out and he didn't want a diaper (pull-up) but he called it a diaper anymore. He wore underwear and went potty in the big toliet. Wal-mart sells these new cover seats for kids. I know they have Dora. Does your daughter like Dora? Maybe you could get her one of those. Also Bear in the Big Blue house has a potty video for about $9 at wal-mart. Were using this for my 2 year old daughter. I'm going to get the potty seat this weekend with Dora on it for her. I hope I gave you a little insight and you know your not alone. Plus I will get Caleb's teacher to tell me that Video tomorrow and post it.Good luck.
momofchris
09-30-2004, 11:30 PM
My son was the same way and one day he watched me brush with the electric toothbrush. I got anoher electric toothbrush and put it at his mouth and he opened wide.. I have no problems with that now.
LastSupper
10-01-2004, 03:28 AM
hi i'm 18 and i have aspergers...I dont like to brush my teeth either im sensitive to alot of feelings and textures of stuff...I do brush my teeth but not as often as i should...
Lisa in Indiana
10-01-2004, 01:41 PM
last supper, thank you for that reply. I have never thought that it could be a sensory issue. Come to think of, she has always been very particular about what kind of sippy cup she would drink from. She would never use the soft rubbery kind of spout, only the hard plastic ones from Platex. Thanks everyone else for the great suggestions as well. :)
memomma
10-23-2004, 03:24 AM
I totally understand what you are going through. My son is 3 and he also has a BIG problem with brushing his teeth. I have tried everything I even took him on a "tooth brush shopping spree" and let him buy every tooth brush that looked cool to him. Nothing so far has worked. I finally just have to sit down on the floor with him. Then I lay him with his head between my legs with one arm under each leg. I brush his teeth as best as I can then I wipe them off with a wet wash cloth and then again with a dry one. When I don't feel like putting him through all of that I wait for him to fall asleep the take a wash cloth and do a quick wipe down. He does wake up most of the time. He just has a sensory issue with his entire head. Good luck with the toothbrushing.
Jukes
11-02-2004, 09:22 PM
My son had the same prob with brushing and our sensory O.T. began mouth compressions (using your finger, put in childs mouth and press down in all areas) This really helped him learn to like the sensation and he got used to things in is mouth. We did the compressions 3 times a day.
lfreet
01-02-2005, 08:46 PM
Hi Lisa,
My son DJ was the same. His preshcool teacher had toothbrushes for all of the kids for after snack time. He didn't want any part of it there either. My husband and I would hold him down and brush them but he is and was very strong in that fight or flight mode. I finally made a game. I did the air plain. Now we sing "this is the way we brush our teeth" and now I can't get him to quit sticking his tonge out for me to brush. Now it is "ahhhh" for teeth and "aaaaa" for tonge. I hope this helps.
lfreet
My son DJ was the same. His preshcool teacher had toothbrushes for all of the kids for after snack time. He didn't want any part of it there either. My husband and I would hold him down and brush them but he is and was very strong in that fight or flight mode. I finally made a game. I did the air plain. Now we sing "this is the way we brush our teeth" and now I can't get him to quit sticking his tonge out for me to brush. Now it is "ahhhh" for teeth and "aaaaa" for tonge. I hope this helps.
lfreet
off kilter
01-03-2005, 06:25 AM
My son puts everything in his mouth so brushing has not been a major problem. He brushes once at home and after lunch at school. I was afraid we would have a horrible problem with going to the dentist, So when he was a year old I called our local children's hospital ( Boston Ma.) and found out they have a supper dental program for kids with disabilities. My son's dentist has been working with kids with Autism for over 20 years. He has gone in every 6 months since he was a year old, and no his behavior has not improved if any thing as he gets bigger it's harder. But we know it's their problem we don't have to worry about it. He gets great care and his teeth are healthy. If they felt there was a problem they could not deal with in the clinic they have the option to take him to the OR. Matter of fact my son is going in to children's to have his ear tubes replaced so my dentist is also going to take some base line X-rays and put sealent on his back molars while he's asleep. the hospital has arranged for my son to have a BMR hearing test done, lead test( because he still mouths everything) , ultrasound of his testicles ( he has calcifications- a precurser to testiculer cancer) They also offered a hair cut but he's OK with my cutting his hair. My point is find a dental program in your area for children with special needs and I don't mean just a peds. Dentist and you will find it takes alot of worry and pressure off of you. Good Luck!
Asperger family
01-04-2005, 12:53 PM
Okay, I could be way off here, but maybe you could try buying her one of those battery operated ones, barbie or whatever you know she likes.Then take it home and wrap it up, like a present and give it to her to open. who knows, it might work. My son never gave me a problem about brushing teeth, but he had more fun opening his racecar battery operated one for christmas and then using it.
Daniellek
01-10-2005, 02:13 AM
edaisy,
that would be great...I know she likes watching video's so maybe that would work. I have asked our dentist and they were totally clueless in how to deal with a spectrum child. She is just so delayed in everything, even potty training. I am SOO SOO sick of changing her poopy diapers. She refuses to even try to go on the potty chair. I have tried all the tactics for this too and she won't budge...LOL...I guess she is going to start kindergarten in diapers!!! :D
Daniellek here, my daughter was 7 before she used the potty and she still doesn't like to brush teeth but will tolorate it. She even ate baby food until she was in 3rd grade, if they have a great teacher they can get them to do things we parents can't. Just talk to the teachers! ;)
that would be great...I know she likes watching video's so maybe that would work. I have asked our dentist and they were totally clueless in how to deal with a spectrum child. She is just so delayed in everything, even potty training. I am SOO SOO sick of changing her poopy diapers. She refuses to even try to go on the potty chair. I have tried all the tactics for this too and she won't budge...LOL...I guess she is going to start kindergarten in diapers!!! :D
Daniellek here, my daughter was 7 before she used the potty and she still doesn't like to brush teeth but will tolorate it. She even ate baby food until she was in 3rd grade, if they have a great teacher they can get them to do things we parents can't. Just talk to the teachers! ;)
denise1960
01-10-2005, 09:47 PM
i have very similar problems with my son who is now 6 and autistic .hes getting better at brushing but hes still not keen on it and has to be told to do his teeth.i had to start off by making a game of it and letting him play with his toothbrush in the bath and just brushing with water to start with.it took time and patience (especialy when he stated eating all the tooth brushes ) but weve over come the first hurdles and it can only get better