We all know that establishing a good oral hygiene routine from an early age is essential for healthy teeth and gums later in life. But as a parent, we also know that getting that routine going can be a challenge some days.
We teamed up with dentists (and sisters) Dr. Lisa and Dr. Vanessa Creaven from Spotlight Oral Care to bring you their top tips for making brushing teeth fun for kids, and for helping your child build a positive, lifelong relationship with their oral health and their smile.
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Make Brushing Teeth Fun For Kids
It’s never too early to start. Forming good habits early means your child is more likely to keep them up as they grow. Oral hygiene can start even before a baby gets their first tooth.
Cleaning gums after a feed with some sterile water and a soft cloth gets little ones used to the sensation of having their gums touched. As soon as a tooth starts to break through, brushing needs to begin in earnest, morning and night at the very least.
#1. Start With The Toothbrush
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Up to the age of 2, a soft bristle brush and water are all your child needs. Once they get a little older, involve them in choosing their own toothbrush.
If they have a brush in their favourite colour or with their favourite character, they’re much more likely to want to use it than one you’ve chosen for them independently.
Spotlight Oral Care has a range of sustainable bamboo toothbrushes suitable for kids of all ages, with soft bristles to gently and effectively clean teeth. They’re naturally antibacterial, 100% recyclable and available in five colours, helping to make brushing earth-kind and fun.
#2. Choosing The Right Toothpaste
Did you know a child’s mouth is 50 times more absorbent than their skin? For this reason alone, it’s worth getting toothpaste right.
Not all toothpastes are equal, and not all children like the same taste. Again, involve your child in finding the one that suits your family best and that they’ll actually want to use.
Most important is that it contains fluoride, which helps prevent early tooth decay. Where possible, it’s also worth looking for a toxin-free and cruelty-free option.
#3. Learn About Brushing Together
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Books and videos are a great way to teach your child about brushing, and you might pick up a few pointers yourself along the way.
This isn’t about getting into the technicalities of brushing, but a favourite story book or video where a character brushes their teeth makes it relatable for your child.
Next time you’re in the library, a bookshop, or browsing online, look for age-appropriate books or videos that weave brushing teeth into the storyline.
Or how about making up a story together, where the toothbrush is the hero fighting off tooth decay? Now that would make brushing teeth real fun!
#4. Lead By Example
It’s a well-known fact that children mimic our behaviour, good and bad. Make brushing a family affair, it’s one of the best ways to make brushing teeth fun for kids and help them form good habits.
Let your children see you brushing and flossing your teeth morning and evening. Encourage them to brush at the same time as you, and afterwards don’t forget to compliment them on their beautiful, clean teeth and lovely smile.
#5. Two Minute Tunes
Two minutes is the optimum time for tooth brushing. Music helps make brushing more fun for kids, and there are plenty of two-minute tunes you can add to a brushing playlist.
Whether you sing or hum along while they brush, or play a song that lasts two minutes, it helps keep them brushing for the full time.
An alternative to music is an egg timer that ticks and dings, or a phone stopwatch they can watch counting down as they brush. Use whichever method works best for your family.
#6. Practice Makes Perfect
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Eventually your child will want to be in charge of their own brushing. Before you get to that stage, it’s good to let them practise on you. Guide them to brush the correct way, showing them how to be gentle and take care over each tooth. Be sure they use your own toothbrush, and don’t let them put it in their own mouth afterwards.
If you’d rather not let them loose in your mouth, encourage them to practise on a doll or teddy instead. You could even pick up a toothbrush for their toy when you buy theirs. Give them some guidance, but keep it fun.
And when they do start brushing themselves, stay with them and ask for a turn afterwards, so you can catch any bits they may have missed.
#7. Involve The Tooth Fairy
The tooth fairy only visits after the first tooth is lost, but children are aware of these magical creatures from a much younger age.
Explaining that the tooth fairy is always on the lookout for the cleanest teeth, and knows when a child is looking after theirs, can help make brushing fun in the early years too.
#8. Visit The Dentist
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Introduce the idea of the dentist at an early age. Many children dread going to the dentist because they’ve never been, or think of it as a negative experience. A few things that have worked well for parents include:
- When you talk about visiting the dentist, use positive language, even if you’re dreading it yourself.
- If your dentist allows it, bring your children along to your own check-up from when they’re very young, so a trip to the dentist feels less overwhelming. They may even get a turn sitting in the chair.
- Once they’re old enough, bring them for their own annual check with the dentist.
If you’ve established good oral hygiene from an early age, they may not need any treatment, which means visiting the dentist can actually be exciting, as they get to:
- Move up and down in the chair
- Wear a special apron
- Wear sunglasses indoors
- Spit out and watch it being sucked away
- Get praise for doing a great job brushing morning and night
We hope these tips help make brushing teeth more fun for your kids. You’ll find plenty more advice from Dr Lisa and Dr Vanessa here.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 10 Things Your Dentist Wishes You Knew
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Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should I start brushing my child’s teeth?
Start as soon as the first tooth appears. Before that, you can gently clean your baby’s gums after feeds with sterile water and a soft cloth to get them used to the sensation.
What kind of toothbrush and toothpaste should young children use?
Up to around age 2, a soft bristle brush and water are enough. After that, look for a fluoride toothpaste and let your child help choose their own brush, ideally in a colour or design they love, to encourage them to use it happily.
How long should kids brush their teeth for?
Two minutes, twice a day, is the general guideline dentists recommend. A two-minute song, an egg timer, or a phone stopwatch can all help keep brushing time on track in a fun way.
How can I make brushing teeth less of a battle?
Involve your child in choosing their toothbrush and toothpaste, brush alongside them so they can copy you, use music or a timer, and let them practise on a doll, teddy, or even you. Small routines like these make brushing feel like part of the fun rather than a chore.
When should my child have their first dentist visit?
It’s a good idea to introduce the idea of the dentist early, for example by bringing your child along to your own check-up so they get used to the setting. Speak to your dentist about the right time for your child’s first proper check-up.
Related Articles
- How to Keep Your Children’s Teeth Super Healthy
- 10 Things Your Dentist Wishes You Knew
- Easy Morning and Bedtime Routines for Busy Families
Save These Tips for Later
Building good brushing habits takes a little repetition, so keep this list handy for whenever you need fresh ideas to get the toothbrush out without a fuss. Bookmark this page or save it to your parenting folder so it’s ready when you need it.
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