Make Teeth Brushing Fun with 6 Easy Tips

Whether it’s the shock of cold water hitting their teeth, the smell or taste of the toothpaste, or the idea that brushing their teeth is something they “have to” do, we may never know why children try to avoid brushing their teeth. What we do know, however, is many children Just. Don’t. Like. Brushing. Their. Teeth. Brushing teeth for kids is an important daily habit and the sooner they get used to it, the more chances they will have of having healthy, clean teeth.

Tackle teeth brushing using these 6 easy to follow tips:

Routine, Routine, Routine

Brushing teeth for kids all about routine! Start early and let your child know teeth brushing is not optional and is a part of their daily routine. They should know that they’re required to brush their teeth every morning (before or after breakfast is up to you) and every night before they’re tucked into bed and read a story. This way, even if it’s still not their favorite thing, they will know brushing their teeth is one of their responsibilities. Make sure you explain how good dental habits keep your child healthy!

Make It Musical

Playing music while brushing teeth adds a calming and enjoyable sensory component to this task. Music can also be used as a timer so your child knows exactly how long they need to brush for. This is especially useful if your little one typically brushes their teeth for 10 seconds, instead of the recommended 2 minutes. You can even try using a musical toothbrush to make this activity more fun. Your child can press play themselves, start brushing when the music starts and finish when the tune ends. Otherwise, sing a song to keep them brushing and make it a little more fun!

Play Pretend

After you’ve finished brushing your toddler’s teeth, use pretend play to teach them more about teeth brushing. Tell them it’s their turn to do the brushing. Grab their favorite doll or stuffed animal and have your child “brush their teeth” to keep Dolly’s teeth healthy too! But remember, toothpaste is required for your child, not the doll!

Let Toddler Take Over

If your child is at an age where they want to do everything themselves, let them do the brushing first. Be sure to watch them carefully so you can hit where they missed after they’re done brushing themselves. This helps give them some control by going first. You can also watch to see if they move the brush up and down, left and right, or in circles and mimic that pattern to make the experience more comfortable for them once you take over.

You could also have them “help” with your teething brushing. Model teeth brushing at the same time they need to brush, and take turns brushing each other’s teeth.

Use the Right Amount of Toothpaste

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using toothpaste the size of a grain of rice for children under 3 and the size of a pea for children 3-6 years. The AAP also recommends toothpaste with fluoride. Make sure to supervise your child since toothpaste with fluoride is not meant to be swallowed.

Make Adjustments

If your child struggles around teeth brushing time, a few small changes can make the experience more enjoyable.

• Try using warm water! The shock of cold water could be a bit off-putting and a simple adjustment of temperature could make all the difference.
• Change the toothpaste flavor. Try fruity, mint, and unflavored. Sometimes dentists will offer patients samples or you can get travel sized tubes of toothpaste while you’re testing out what your child likes best.
• Brushing teeth for kids can also be difficult for children with sensory issues. You can use a soft-bristled brush or start off by using a washcloth to help your little one get used something touching and cleaning their teeth. Even trying a silicone toothbrush could help!
• Go electric. Some kids don’t like standard toothbrushes, but using an electric toothbrush can work wonders. The consistent motion can be calming for them.

For young children, it always helps to turn daily tasks into fun games! Try out these tips and let us know what works for your child!