Dentist's Unusual Toddler Teeth Brushing Trick

Brushing a toddlers’ teeth is can be a bit like trying to wrestling a crocodile – so one mum has a unique trick to make quick work of cleaning her tot’s gnashers.

Dr Joyce, the TikTok Dentist, revealed her toddler tooth brushing technique in a video, which has attracted both praise and concern from other parents.

Dr Joyce’s video, which is captioned: ‘The only thing that has worked for my wiggly 1 year old’, shows her laying her one-year-old down between her legs, before she positioned them over her toddler’s arms and legs. It effectively means the tot is trapped and can’t run away from the toothbrush.

In the comments, the mum explains that she sees many adult patients who have parents who didn’t teach them the importance of brushing their teeth, and she’s trying to help educate families.

“My child cooperated for this video but he is not always like this!” Dr Joyce explained. “He used to scream and cry during brushing and this is the only way I could get it done. I’ve been brushing his teeth since before he had teeth so he has become much better. (Depending on his mood).”

@joycethedentist The only thing that has worked for my wiggly 1 year old ???? #babytok #newmomtips #babyhack ♬ you want to bamba SWOLEDDS GOOD VIBES – Dr. Geuy DDS

While many mums thanked Dr Joyce for her tip, others claimed it’s traumatising and doesn’t allow for consent.

“That’s probably why they hate it,” wrote Naty London. “Watching this feels wrong already.”

Another mum commented, “Would never do this to my kids. I’m one of those who hate dentists myself and being forced to wont help. I would rather spend time teaching him.”

What do you think about this technique? Do you have any tips for brushing toddler’s teeth? Let us know in the comments below.

Looking for more helpful tips to help kids brush their teeth? Head to these article next:

37 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 31 Jul 2024
    12:22 pm
WEll now we know……amazing how simple these things are when you know the tricks

- - MummaD said
  - 27 Mar 2023
    12:05 pm
Where was this trick when mine where little!

- - Lividanke said
  - 14 Mar 2023
    2:41 pm
I bought my toddler an electric toothbrush and these days he happily stands still and opens his mouth while I brush his teeth, so we don’t have any issues anymore.

- - rovermum said
  - 08 Mar 2023
    2:12 pm
My first thought was that this was funny, not traumatising. Why do we always have to go there? Dental hygiene is so important and such a huge problem in this country. Having a child’s teeth brushed as early as possible is only a good thing.

- - ~Loui~ said
  - 04 Mar 2023
    10:22 pm
Dental hygiene is so important. This doesn’t seem to be causing this child any stress, so I may consider this method.

- - shocolatmoose said
  - 04 Mar 2023
    12:15 pm
Whatever works, we’ve started doing teeth cleaning in the bath after dinner. The catch is i have to clean mine at the same time, as he is such a little copy cat.

- - mom486197 said
  - 04 Mar 2023
    11:55 am
What ever works for you is all that matters.

- - mom489365 said
  - 04 Mar 2023
    7:36 am
You’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do! If if that works then great. All three of my kids later down to get their teeth brushed.

- - Bizma said
  - 04 Mar 2023
    6:41 am
Hahaha…as funny as i find this, it also looks effective…carry on mama!

- - Nik said
  - 04 Mar 2023
    5:09 am
If it works, why not!
Great idea

- - WilFox said
  - 03 Mar 2023
    9:07 pm
Love the idea. I am a former dental nurse and this is such a different approach. Easily turn it into a game as well.

- - Arrielita said
  - 18 Oct 2022
    7:35 am
I love this idea! I’d definately be willing to give this a go with my baby toddler. So cute and so necessary.

- - mom101628 said
  - 30 Jun 2022
    12:46 am
If you show yourself brushing your teeth, then children usually want to follow suit. It mightn’t be perfect, but at least they are doing it themselves.

- - mom323673 said
  - 26 Feb 2022
    4:08 pm
Some children just won’t let you brush their teeth.. they’d also thank you when they get older knowing you saved them from nasty teeth.

- - ~Loui~ said
  - 10 Feb 2022
    2:39 am
I’m not comfortable with restraining my kids like this. There are other way to get them to brush.

- - Zmijka86 said
  - 02 Feb 2022
    8:37 pm
If its working for them then it’s ok..

- - smart_ass said
  - 31 Jan 2022
    2:54 pm
What works for one family, may not work for another.

- - tessie said
  - 20 Jan 2022
    11:47 am
He actually looks half asleep so it must help with brushing his teeth. If the child is screaming or crying I’d say try something different but if this way works then it wouldn’t hurt to try.

- - mom457867 said
  - 19 Jan 2022
    9:33 am
Adorable! I usually show my kids especially my son, grandma’ deteriorating teeth as a warning. Other times I use the suction of the tooth brush, and stick it on the mirror just so he can remember to brush his teeth first thing in the morning after washing his face…

- - mom223151 said
  - 18 Jan 2022
    11:51 pm
Not sure I would use this technique. Feel uncomfortable doing that to any child. Might stick to my “learned behaviour “ technique.