Brushing teeth - so sad I am crying

[Anonymous]

OP you need to get your overreaction problem under control. It's very simple to ignore the responses that are inappropriate, not helpful, rude, or whatever. Simple. You are not going to change DCUM, you can report people but you can't block them. I think you seriously need to relax, maybe work on this in therapy, but you do yourself no favor ranting at anonymous people here.

If you want to deal with your problems in a judgment free zone, this is definitely not it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP you need to get your overreaction problem under control. It's very simple to ignore the responses that are inappropriate, not helpful, rude, or whatever. Simple. You are not going to change DCUM, you can report people but you can't block them. I think you seriously need to relax, maybe work on this in therapy, but you do yourself no favor ranting at anonymous people here.

If you want to deal with your problems in a judgment free zone, this is definitely not it.

Op here, last comment on negativity. Because I am going to go back and thank those who were very helpful. Which was the majority.

I’m done with this post, and this person continues, even after I felt I kindly explained my needs and perspective. They are here trolling.

Appreciate Jeff’s removal of a post or two.

All of you can see this person is no longer listening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids wouldn’t be able to eat any sweets and probably no screen time or friends until teeth brushed.

Thank you, this is one potentially good strategy among the things I have tried.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP you need to get your overreaction problem under control. It's very simple to ignore the responses that are inappropriate, not helpful, rude, or whatever. Simple. You are not going to change DCUM, you can report people but you can't block them. I think you seriously need to relax, maybe work on this in therapy, but you do yourself no favor ranting at anonymous people here.

If you want to deal with your problems in a judgment free zone, this is definitely not it.

Op here, last comment on negativity. Because I am going to go back and thank those who were very helpful. Which was the majority.

I’m done with this post, and this person continues, even after I felt I kindly explained my needs and perspective. They are here trolling.

Appreciate Jeff’s removal of a post or two.

All of you can see this person is no longer listening.

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I wrote the comment you are responding to and it is my first comment on this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does your dentist say about your 7 year old brushing his own teeth? Mine said we should allow them to do the first minute and we do the second to ensure it gets done properly. So I brush DC’s teeth twice a day - before I leave for work and before bed. I would do that for the foreseeable future.

I love this idea. I hadn’t heard it before. More useful for my 4yo. If 7yo does brush, he does a good job. But my 4yo, I always check his molars and have to re-brush those for him. Get his front teeth for good measure too.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP you need to get your overreaction problem under control. It's very simple to ignore the responses that are inappropriate, not helpful, rude, or whatever. Simple. You are not going to change DCUM, you can report people but you can't block them. I think you seriously need to relax, maybe work on this in therapy, but you do yourself no favor ranting at anonymous people here.

If you want to deal with your problems in a judgment free zone, this is definitely not it.

Op here, last comment on negativity. Because I am going to go back and thank those who were very helpful. Which was the majority.

I’m done with this post, and this person continues, even after I felt I kindly explained my needs and perspective. They are here trolling.

Appreciate Jeff’s removal of a post or two.

All of you can see this person is no longer listening.

Your posts calling people ___holes were removed too. Insert smiley face here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there a reason? Would an electric toothbrush, better tasting toothpaste with sparkles, swishing with fluoride mouthwash, or using a waterpik type device help?

Good ideas for others.
For us, we’ve been through all that. But yes, always letting them pick out new flossers or toothpaste is a good idea.

All of my kids love the ACT kids mouthwash. I love the “dose” bottle that only lets them use a dose worth. Stops the mess!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you crying? I’m sorry I don’t understand.

Jeff, don’t remove this one. One of the first responses. Yikes!

I think it needs to stand to show others your intent here.

“Why are you crying?” Someone explain human emotions to this psychopath.

[Anonymous]

We got electric toothbrushes because (a) they are more thorough and (b) we can HEAR THEM BRUSHING THEIR TEETH. That part's a big deal - no lying or stalling because we know they're doing it. Also, a non-negotiable is that a parent has to help once a day - either AM or PM. That doesn't sound like it would work for you, but it's what we do.

*I am trying to be helpful but if you want to be a jerk about it, feel free to get my post deleted if it doesn't fit your narrative or exactly meet your needs or whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think a predisposition for cavities is largely genetic. My kids have been terrible about teeth brushing and only 1 out of 4 has had a cavity. Be kind to yourself. Eventually your kids will brush their teeth.

Thank you for your kind response.

Welp, over the past few years, my husband has realized (it takes a lifetime to see family patterns for what they are)… that his genes don’t seem to have good teeth.

Makes me feel even more emphasis on brushing. great!

I personally am in love with brushing, hygiene, dentistry — I used to work for a dentist long before I had kids.

I think genes do affect.

Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

OP you sound ridiculous now. Calm down! My goodness. You're crying over teeth brushing, starting something with random posters, and just ragey. Calm down.

Consider that your son may have sensory issues, ADHD, Autism, or a mild form of anxiety/depression. All of these things can make a child or even an adult ignore their personal hygiene. Maybe talk to your pediatrician or an OT about what you are seeing. They may be able to help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does your dentist say about your 7 year old brushing his own teeth? Mine said we should allow them to do the first minute and we do the second to ensure it gets done properly. So I brush DC’s teeth twice a day - before I leave for work and before bed. I would do that for the foreseeable future.

How do you physically make it happen for a child who is (currently) hiding under covers? Because he knows I am sitting here with a ready toothbrush.

I love your advice. I’m not disregarding. It’s an excellent piece of advice. I do need help beyond that.

It is obviously larger than brushing.

Does he have a favorite show? Or something he’s not allowed to watch often (some hilarious YouTube video of people doing stupid tricks, etc). Play it while you brush. He’s only allowed to watch that fun thing during teeth brushing

This is my favorite idea on the thread.

We don’t allow much youtube. “Must watch with an adult” is the family rule. Like, as long as we are in the room, around. They don’t have tablets so they can’t sneak it. They know the rule at cousins’ and friends’ houses.

Anyway, beside the point… A super dumb YouTube channel would totally work for him. He hears about channels from school that we just haven’t gotten into. It would follow our family rule, and feel special.

Thank you!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a reason? Would an electric toothbrush, better tasting toothpaste with sparkles, swishing with fluoride mouthwash, or using a waterpik type device help?

^ great ideas here. A new toothpaste flavor or mouthwash, fun toothbrush - maybe the chart and rewards just need to be changed up to something your child connects with more.

He also sounds tired and maybe a little scared by your reaction. I would recommend taking a step back and lowering expectations. Don’t set him up to fail by asking him to do it himself, remember and check it off on a chart - that sounds like a lot for this age. They need reminders, someone to stand with them while they do it, and preferably before they get too cranky and tired at night.

I think I responded to you unfairly. This was a helpful and kind post.

At this point, my issue with another person was reaching fever pitch.

I like the suggestion that tiredness is playing into it.

Clarifying, for all to hear, they don’t check the chart unsupervised. It’s a family togetherness thing. We’re always around. They usually get a little mad if we check it for them. They want to do it but sometimes they just ask us bc they’re tired.

I pay them. We add up the checks. That’s a new thing as of January. They are SUPER into it. I’ve been telling them I figure I’ll pay them instead of dental work.

Chart has been successful, except for a recent refusal getting more frequent. Physically avoiding at ALL costs.

Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

Change your diet:

Eat apple slices after meals. It helps clean your teeth and prevent cavities. Obviously, no sweets or juice for the foreseeable future.

[Anonymous]

We use a toothbrushing app. There are many but the one I like best is for the Oral B electric toothbrush. The Pokemon one is also good.

Most apps have a "streak" feature and if you miss a brushing session, you break your streak and lose whatever in-app prize.