Fun Ways to Get Kids to Brush Their Teeth
You know all too well what a nightmare getting your child to brush their teeth can be. But you also know that it’s not something you can negotiate on with them. They HAVE to brush twice a day.
We’ve been there. What worked best for us as parents who were obviously obsessed with oral hygiene was coming up with fun ways to get kids to brush their teeth. Reframing it from a chore to something they get to do changes everything.
From cool apps with timers to better toothpaste selection, find our favorite tips on getting kids to take better care of their teeth below!
Key Takeaways
Kids resist brushing because they hate the taste, despise the texture, or find it boring.
Letting them choose their toothbrush and getting them a better toothpaste may be all it takes.
Other solutions that worked for us included brushing apps with timers, music, brushing with them, and offering rewards.
Consistency is more important than perfection. As long as your child makes a concerted effort to brush twice a day, that’s progress!
Why Kids NEED to Brush Their Teeth
Plaque starts building up on your child’s teeth within hours of their last brushing. This sticky biofilm is ultimately the root cause of so many oral health complications, from tooth decay to gum disease.
Children have thinner enamel than adults, so the stakes are even higher. Plaque can quickly transform into tartar if your child just skips 1-2 days of brushing in a row - and at that point, only a dentist/hygienist can remove it.
We’ve had so many conversations with parents whose children are against brushing. We’ve heard the same thing repeatedly. “It’s just their baby teeth - they’re going to fall out anyway.” However, decay in primary teeth can actually damage the permanent tooth underneath. It can lead to painful infections as well.
Fun Ways to Get Kids to Brush Their Teeth
If nothing else, getting your kids to brush their teeth will save YOU a ton of money in the long run. It doesn’t have to be a daily battle. Here are some fun ways to get kids to brush their teeth.
Let Them Pick a Toothbrush
You probably picked out their toothbrush and handed it to them. But have you tried taking them to the drugstore or shopping online and finding a toothbrush they are excited about? Kids should start using an electric toothbrush sooner rather than later, and let them decide on the color and style.
Get Them LIVFRESH Kids+ Pink Bubblegum Dental Gel
Most kids hate brushing because they hate toothpaste. But they have to use toothpaste. It might be time to start weighing other options than what lines the shelves of your local drugstore. Most formulas (even kid-friendly ones) have harsh, minty flavors, aggressive foam, and abrasive texture. The truth is, they don’t really have any real clinical backing, either!
LIVFRESH Kids+ Toothpaste features Activated Edathamil, an ingredient backed by 40 studies and 40 patents showing it can remove plaque up to 250% better. It features a fun pink bubblegum flavor that children genuinely look forward to using.
Most importantly from a parent’s perspective, though, it’s fluoride-free and features no parabens, SLS, artificial dyes, or any other nasty stuff. It’s safe if swallowed. Upgrading to a better toothpaste is one of the best fun ways to get kids to brush their teeth.
Brush With Them
Kids want to be just like mom or dad. So, lead by example and encourage them to brush with you! This might mean changing your schedule around and brushing a little earlier at night, but it’s a small price to pay to get them practicing good habits - and it’s an extra few minutes of bonding time every day!
Get Them a Fun Timer
Two minutes feels like forever to a child. And in our experience, kids are always going to stop short if they’re counting in their head or guessing how much time has passed.
A sand timer is one of the most fun ways to get kids to brush their teeth. It’s a captivating visual experience. You can also buy them a fun timer shaped like an animal or look into timer apps (more on that in a moment).
Encourage Them to Brush to Their Favorite Song
Rather than using a traditional timer, you can get them a little bathroom speaker and play their favorite song while they brush. They start as the music builds and don’t spit until the song is over. Just make sure you’ve selected a long enough song. The fun part here is you can change the song over time so it never gets boring!
Incentivize Them
We found great success putting a sticker chart on the wall in our kids’ bathroom. They got in a really good groove trying to build a streak of no missed days. Small rewards for making it a full week, a full month, etc. can go a long way. This could be as simple as some more screen time or an ice cream date.
Phone Apps That We’ve Used to Get Our Kids to Brush Better
A lot of parents swear by these types of apps. They turn brushing into a game, so consider these in addition to our other fun ways to get kids to brush their teeth.
The Wiggles App
Perfect if your kiddo already loves the Wiggles. Familiar characters guide them through a two-minute session.
Brusheez Little Monsters App
Your child gets assigned a monster character that will actually walk them through brushing each section of their mouth with a visual timer. Kids get to customize their monster, which keeps them coming back for more.
Brush DJ App
This goes hand-in-hand with one of the other tips we shared earlier. The app plays music from your phone’s library or a streaming service while your child brushes. There are no characters or animations. Way more straightforward.
Disney Magic Timer App
This app is made by Oral-B and reveals Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars characters as kids brush. It’s a great way to keep your little one entertained while they take care of their teeth.
Turn Brushing Into a Fun Experience, and It Stops Being a Fight!
There are so many fun ways to get kids to brush their teeth. It will get easier and easier the more ingrained the habit becomes. So, keep your foot down early on and make it clear this is not something you will compromise on - that doesn’t have to mean it feels torturous, though.
Our blog has more tips on how to prevent plaque build-up in children if you’d like to learn more. Otherwise, it’s time to upgrade your little one’s oral care habits with the best dentist-recommended toothpaste they’ll actually stick with!
Related Resources
How to Remove Plaque on Teeth at Home | Best SLS-Free Toothpaste | Best Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth
