Daughter won't brush her teeth... - Autism Spectrum Message Board

Lisa in Indiana · 09-26-2004, 07:31 PM

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?

Soulcatcher · 09-26-2004, 07:49 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 · 09-26-2004, 10:59 PM

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, 06:41 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!!!

ang64063 · 09-27-2004, 11:22 AM

Maybe you could also try those new toothpaste dots (I think Aqua Fresh makes them).