Let’s face it: brushing your teeth can sometimes feel like a chore – especially when you’re a young kid with tons of energy and little time to waste! Nevertheless, brushing twice daily is a critical piece in helping your kids maintain strong oral health. So, if your kids don’t like brushing their teeth, it’s time to try a few creative strategies that will help encourage them to brush – and brush correctly!
In this guide, we’ll share teeth brushing strategies for kids and how to get kids to brush their teeth. The most important thing, as a parent, is to set a good example and be engaged with your kiddos to make brushing feel like a fun shared activity!
The Basics on Teeth Brushing for Kids
Whether you’re a new parent or have a couple of toddlers running around, you might have some general questions about what brushing teeth should look like for kids. So, let’s talk about it!
- When should kids start brushing? Well, technically, you as a parent will be responsible for helping your kids start brushing. That’s because you should start brushing infant teeth as soon as they emerge. Usually, newborns begin teething at around 6 months old.
- Ok, but what about brushing their own teeth? Ah, a good follow-up question! It largely depends on the comfort level of the parent. You want to ensure they can handle the brush, know how to spit out the toothpaste and rinse accordingly. Some kids might be ready to brush their own teeth at around 3 years old, others may take longer. It’s up to you as a parent to make the judgment call – and know that you’ll still want to supervise even when they do start brushing their own teeth.
- How long should kids brush their teeth? Kids should brush their teeth for two minutes, twice per day – the same as adults! Additionally, you want to brush infant teeth for two minutes at a time whenever you help them brush, gently working along teeth and the gumline.
- What toothpaste is best for kids? Ultimately, the best toothpaste for kids is a formula that can help effectively clean their teeth and gums, and one they enjoy using regularly. We speak in depth on the benefits of fluoride toothpaste for kids, but you can also find fluoride-free options for kids if that’s something they feel more comfortable with or a formula your dentist recommends.
How to Get Kids to Brush Their Teeth
You may not have a ton of issues brushing your newborn’s teeth. Your toddler, on the other hand, may become more squeamish when you try to help them clean those little chompers. A little pushback is perfectly normal! Here are some ways you can promote a fun, positive teeth brushing environment for kids.
1. Start a Routine, and Start it Early
As a parent, you might know that mood swings and changes can occur if your kid(s) get off their napping or eating schedule. Routines can work well for kids, and the same goes for brushing teeth!
Encourage your kids to brush as soon as they wake up and right before they go to bed. It’s simple and straightforward – plus it’s probably the routine you (the adult) follow as well. And that’s important since you want to stay involved with your kids brushing teeth.
You can also consider incentivizing – for example, having story time right after brushing teeth may help your kids associate brushing with a fun nighttime activity!
2. Brush with Your Kids
Setting an example for your kids can be a great way to promote brushing as a positive thing – in addition to helping you teach them proper toothbrushing techniques. This can go hand in hand with starting a routine and make for an enjoyable way for your kiddo to start the day before daycare or prepare for a good night’s sleep!
If your kids are old enough to brush their own teeth, it’s important to encourage them to put the toothpaste on themselves – but make sure they put the right amount on the brush.
3. Be Creative by Singing Songs or Playing Games
Two minutes might feel like an eternity for your kids when brushing their teeth. So, finding ways to keep them occupied and engaged while they brush is always a good idea. Maybe you hum a song with them while brushing together or do the same dance whenever it’s time to brush your teeth. It doesn’t hurt to be unconventional and goofy! Getting down to your kids’ height and making eye contact can keep you engaged while offering a chance to inspect whether they are brushing correctly. You could give them something to smile about by making funny faces or sounds while you both brush.
4. Let Your Kid(s) Pick a Toothbrush & Toothpaste
If you’ve noticed a trend thus far when it comes to getting kids to brush their teeth, it’s about keeping them engaged. A great way to promote engagement is by allowing them to pick out a toothpaste and toothbrush the next time you bring them to the grocery store. Many kids’ oral care products have enjoyable character connections for children of different ages and stages. For example, Orajel™ Kids offers a Sesame Street™ Fluoride-Free Training Toothpaste with a toothbrush featuring Elmo. Similarly, you can find Orajel™ Kids Anticavity Fluoride Toothpastes featuring your little one’s favorite characters from PAW Patrol™. Flavor is also an important consideration because your kids might like something fruitier. Orajel™ Kids fluoride and fluoride-free toothpastes come in enjoyable flavors your kids will love, like Natural Very Berry Strawberry and Natural Watermelon Flavor.
5. Provide Words of Encouragement
Another trend we will continue harping on in helping kids brush their teeth is positive reinforcement. A surefire way to make them feel more comfortable with brushing is by giving them words of encouragement. Tell them they’re doing a good job when brushing and have them give you a big smile after they have finished, then compliment those pearly whites and cute little dimples!
6. A Brushing Buddy
Brushing with your kids for supervision and support is great. But they might also enjoy “brushing” their stuffed animals or dolls! Toys can be “brushing buddies” for your kiddos that might help normalize the process and make brushing a routine. You might even teach them proper brushing instructions by having them brush the toys’ teeth before addressing their own little chompers!
7. Set Them Up for Success at the Dentist
The dentist isn’t always the most enjoyable place for a kid. However, regular dentist visits are a critical part of helping them maintain healthy teeth and gums, and they can also help set the tone when educating kids about oral health and the importance of brushing teeth. Introduce your kid(s) to the dentist before their cleaning and have them get a sense of the environment. Have your dentist walk your kid(s) through the process and bring a furry friend or another toy along for the ride in the form of comfort. Most dentist offices will have some form of reward (like stickers or lollipops) for kids as a form of positive reinforcement!
Brushing Teeth for Kids: It’s All About Staying Positive & Engaged!
There’s no single way to brush your teeth or get your kids to brush their teeth. Each child and family dynamic is different. Not to mention, brushing your teeth isn’t something you really master – just something you have to do regularly! Ultimately, the best way to help kids with brushing their teeth is by staying engaged and having a great attitude. And of course, give them another reason to smile with enjoyable character connections from Orajel™ Kids toothpastes and toothbrushes. No matter what strategies you try, make sure it’s something your kids consistently enjoy and becomes as repeatable as the act of brushing itself.
