Just wondering if anyone else as been in my situation and may how to deal with it.

My son is in definite need of braces (big overbite) but I have never been able to get him to brush him teeth!! He does a lousy job! And I have brushed them, shown him what to do, the Hygienists have all done the same, but for some reason he will just doesn't follow through. I don't understand, it seems like he is trying to be difficult. Gee, does that sound familiar about alot of things before he was diagnosed ADHD!!! This is so hard because he really needs to get braces and if he can't clean his teeth properly without them, how the heck can he do it with them. His orthodontist told him what he HAS to do but I know this won't mean anything.
Help!!!!

I recall this struggle well. DS had braces twice. Each evening we did a teeth check. If they were not done well, or spots missed, he had to just keep going back until all the spots were brushed out. It took every evening. Literally. and a lot of time. And many trips back to the bathroom. Some nights I just stayed in there with him. He most always had spots that needed to be rebrushed. I am not sure I believe in incentives, as clean teeth is a standard of life and should not be "rewarded" per se. If you guy is like my guy, you may just have to go in there and check every time and have him go back, just because that is what needs to be done. That is what we did anyways. He does much better now that the braces are off though, so it will probably come with time.

Thanks for the reply. Yes that is what we have tried to do, check his teeth nightly, but for some reason or another, probably because it is always last minute to get him to bed, we don't check his teeth. I guess this is what is needed. Get into a routine at a specific time. He is going on 13 and on meds, but of course they are worn off by bedtime and in the morning before they kick in. We are just going to try Strattera. I hope this will be better but I just don't get what the deal is about not brushing their teeth!
Were you doing this before he had braces on as well? I understand that it is harder to keep teeth clean with braces, but my goodness, he can't even keep them clean without. In the morning it is such a rush around here, I don't always remember to check his teeth either. When I do, I can scrape off white crap with my nail on all his teeth! and I KNOW the toothbrush never touched his teeth! He argues and says he did!!!! Obviously NOT!

He just went to the hygienist to get his teeth cleaned before his braces are put on and she said he had major plaque build up and I need to try and start him on a routine. I have been trying to do this since he was 4! I guess I need to be on the routine. It is so hard and frustrating for me as my daughter was brushing properly at the age of 8! She is not ADHD though. Does this have anything to do with that?

I don't know what the deal with not teeth brushing is either! It is totally exhasperating! I thought we were totally alone in this, and here you are with the same situation! Maybe it is ADHD. I really had to check nightly. Most nights not a big deal. The whole thing mirrored his agenda use with school. DS just doesn't get it yet. But he will. Just like brushing his teeth he does much better now, and he even flosses most nights. If it gets too late, could you try having your son brush his teeth after dinner and then coming to you for his checks? That would save the right-before-bedtime frustrations. You can also try to get those water-jet teeth cleaners, or some other fun thing he can use to brush his teeth, perhaps once the novelty wears off, a habit might kick in! Just keep checking them, because not checking would be very detrimental to not only your son but your pocketbook!

Oh Yes I can relate to writing in the school agaenda too!!! I see that your son is 14, has he matured much in the past year? Just wondering because my son is still very immature for his age and wondering when he, hopefully, will. That is also what I am thinking could be part of the problem as well as the ADHD.

Thanks for your ideas, I will give them a try!

Oh, mrs A, it all sound so familiar!

My 12yo ADD son hates cleaning his teeth, and of course Iam so disorganised that checking is a bit hit and miss. In the end, we just linked teeth cleaning to something he liked doing, e.g light out 10 minutes earlier, no reading car mags. etc, but still a struggle. He is improving tho, and he doesn't have braces.

Also, immaturity is a common feature of ADHD/ADD, can be 30% behind friends of their age. Makes it interesting in our house because I have a 10yo who is more mature a lot of the time! Supposedly they mature later and more slowly, but it should happen.

you could use a chart and when he does a certain amount consecutively he gets a reward. keep the chart in the bathroom. if he doesn't brush - then take something important away from him (computer, video games . .etc) for the whole next day.

I have the same problems with my 8yo son. My theory is: sensory, boredom and taste.

T hates the feeling of soft, slimy or squishy food and I notice that when he brushes his teeth he always spits out the toothpaste in a big lump (soft, slimy and squishy then bubbles). He gets bored during the actual brushing and whizzes through it. Then there is the taste of the toothpaste - anything mint flavoured is out.

I have no answer except to squeeze the toothpaste deep into the bristles and watch him while he brushes.

Shelley

Shelley, I personally can relate to the toothpaste, toothbrush, sensory issues and there are times I can't brush my teeth as long as my dentist recommends. I prefer gel to paste and the right toothbrush makes a big difference. Does your son like an automatic toothbrush? There again, a one size fits all doesn't work with sensory issues and you have to find the automatic toothbrush that's right for you.

My daughter did surprisingly well with cleaning her teeth after orthodontal work. One thing we did was go back to twice a year teeth cleanings. The tech used a sonic implement to help break up and clean around the appliance better. She did recommend an electric toothbrush but we didn't go that route. I feel for you. Our nighttime routine as other difficulties besides brushing teeth. It may be a gender issue.

Hi to all that replied to me I thought I would update you on my son. He has braces now and seems to be fascinated with them for the moment anyways. He has been checking, brushing, flossing etc so far, without being reminded. I know the novelty will wear off eventually, and I liked the idea of sending him to the hygienist more often for a good cleaning if he starts getting lazy. This may also keep him going as he doesn't like getting his teeth cleaned.

Flossing???? Without reminded?????

YAY!!!!!

Give him a yahoo from me.
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

One solution is to fork up the money and just pay to have his teeth professionally cleaned once a month. At least you are avoiding the possibility of permanent 'scarring' of the teeth when too much plaque has built up. My friend's daughter had scarred teeth and it ended up costing him $10,000 for veneers after that.

Even if he doesn't take good care of his teeth he won't have more than 1 month's build up at at time.

I'm not alone! Getting my 11 yo to brush his teeth is still a daily struggle....

Yeah, rewarding for cleaning his teeth and making the chore as pleasurable as possible is the key. And be firm; don't let him get away with not doing it.