Ethan has major sensory issues with his mouth, he will not let you put anything into it and if you ask him to show you his teeth he locks his mouth shut. I think it has always been an issue for Ethan but it was really highlighted when he had tonsillitis and he is now scared of any doctor. A doctors appointment will always end with Ethan having to be pinned down, and it isn’t fun!
So trying to get Ethan to brush his teeth has always been a nightmare. I realised, after reading books on autism, that Ethan probably found mint toothpaste overpowering. I also got advice from another mum suggesting trying an electric toothbrush, I was very lucky and was able to get a Jake and the Neverland Pirates one in the Disney store sale.
So armed with his new toothbrush and strawberry flavoured ice cream toothpaste we have slowly and surely been able to get this toothbrush up to Ethan’s mouth. It really was very slow progress but I was even able to get Ethan to hold the toothbrush in the water and then put it up to his mouth.
Wow, that must be hard and you must worry about his teeth, but great to see he is making a little bit of progress. Your keyworker has some amazing advice.
Aww well done little man. I hope Ethan continues to improve – it must be something you really worry about x
Okay, brushing teeth… First of all – way to go! Great Achievement!
And to make you feel less alone in the whole teeth thing – Ron, that’s my 8 years old, agreed to stop using the strawberries flavoured toothpaste LAST MONTH. It took us this long to convince him that mint won’t kill him.
My very good dentist in Israel assured me that brushing teeth at that age is more for practice than anything else, so you know, as long as he doesn’t eat sweets and drink coke every day, there is not much to worry about there. So any progress is good progress, and if you get to his whole mouth by the time he gets adult teeth you’re golden 🙂
Also, after Ron had his surgery and couldn’t brush his teeth (don’t ask, but it wasn’t related to not brushing, because unlike Yon, he actually likes brushing), we bought him fruit-flavoured mouth wash, so he at least had that. If you are worried, you can maybe give it a go. He liked it, but I have to admit I’ve never tried it with Yon…
And last, I hate it when they master something, and then suddenly it disappear. We have it with Yon, and it drives me crazy… I know it shouldn’t but it does. So I am so happy for you that you managed to get Ethan back to holding his own brush. Yon won’t. We have to do it for him…
Why is it I always have the feeling when i finish commenting that though I really did intend to help and comfort, i ended up making things worse?!
Great achievement! x
Well done Ethan!! x
Wow Well done Ethan!
I feel your pain though on the teeth front (and back). Bruiser thankfully has got over his dislike of teeth brushing now and will open up and let us in there and get to the back. He actually likes the mint flavour though and the mintier the better. It took a while though so hang in there. You are all doing great! xx
such a difficult thing when you know they have to brush their teeth. Sounds like he’s doing really well, well done Ethan and Mummy!
You must be proud! Maybe if he saw other kids brushing their teeth or a favourite TV character, it might help?
I hardly see my wee man’s back teeth so I can only imagine your struggle. So glad he is making this small step and crossing fingers you will see those back teeth one day!
Wow. Go Ethan and go you! A small step, but definitely in the right direction. Boo seems to be developing sensory issues, too. And I worry about his teeth. I struggle to brush them. Being premmie also puts him at risk of enamel probs. Sigh. But this is positive stuff from the lovely Ethan. Here’s to more steps in the right direction!