Brushy Brush Time

Let’s be honest, if you’re a parent, you’ve probably had one of those mornings (or nights) where your child decides they absolutely, positively, do not want to brush their teeth. Maybe they run away. Maybe they clamp their mouth shut like a little crocodile. Maybe you’ve tried singing, counting, bargaining with their favorite cartoon character, or even bribing with stickers.

We’ve been there too.

Toothbrushing can feel like a daily battlefield. But the truth is, you’re not alone, and it doesn’t have to be this hard. Building good dental habits early can actually be fun (yes, really!) and with a few playful tricks, your little one might actually look forward to brushy brush time.

Here’s how to make brushing something everyone in the family can enjoy, even the kids.

Baby teeth may be temporary, but their care is anything but. These little teeth help your child chew, speak clearly, and guide adult teeth into place. Skipping brushing, even for a day or two, can let sugars from food and milk turn into plaque, which leads to cavities.

But here’s the thing that kids don’t care about: “plaque” or “gingivitis.” What they care about is if the toothbrush tickles their mouth or if they get to press the button on the timer. That’s why the secret to great brushing is not just how, but how fun it can be.

Kids love stories, and you can turn toothbrushing into one. Pretend their teeth are a magical kingdom, and the toothbrush is the brave hero fighting off sugar monsters. “Uh-oh, a candy dragon is hiding behind your molar! Quick, the toothbrush knight must save the day!”

Make up new characters every day. Maybe today’s toothpaste is superhero slime, or the rinse cup is a magical potion that gives them brushing powers. A good imagination turns two minutes into an adventure.

Kids love control. Give them choices “Do you want the red toothbrush or the blue one?” or “Shall we brush to the dinosaur song or the space song today?” This gives them a sense of ownership.

You can even let them brush your teeth first (with your own toothbrush of course!), then say, “Okay, now it’s my turn to brush yours!” Turning it into a game of pretend dentist makes it feel like playtime.

Set a timer for two minutes and pick a song your child loves. Dance around while brushing! You can even make a “toothbrush dance routine” and practice together. Songs like “Brush Your Teeth” by Raffi or “This is the Way We Brush Our Teeth” on YouTube make perfect brushing anthems.

Some parents create a playlist just for brush time, two minutes of fun, and when the music stops, they’re done.

Some kids brush better when they’re not doing it alone. A favorite stuffed animal or toy can join in. Pretend the teddy is brushing too, or better yet, let your child “help” brush the toy’s teeth. Then it’s their turn.

You can even get a toothbrush for the toy and say, “Mr. Bunny needs clean teeth, too!” This creates a little brushing community.

There are some truly magical free apps made just for this. Apps like Brush DJ, Chomper Chums, or Disney Magic Timer show brushing animations, play music, and reward kids with virtual stickers and fun characters.

It’s like turning brushing into a mini video game, one they actually want to play twice a day.

Instead of saying “Good job for brushing all your teeth,” say, “I’m so proud that you brushed without a fuss!” or “You came right to the bathroom when I asked, that was awesome!”

Make a simple reward chart where every successful brush time earns a star or a happy face. After a week, maybe they get a small prize, like picking a bedtime story or choosing their outfit. This teaches consistency.

Some kids genuinely dislike intense mint flavors. That’s okay, there are plenty of kid-friendly options in fruit, bubblegum, or even mango flavors!

Let them pick their favorite from the store. Just make sure it has fluoride (unless your pediatric dentist says otherwise) and is safe for their age.

When kids see their parents brushing, they tend to copy. Try brushing together in the mirror. Say silly things like, “Let’s brush our tiger teeth!” or “Wow, look at us, we’re brushing buddies!”

Even older siblings can help. Little ones love copying big kids, so if your older child is brushing happily, the younger one might join in just to be part of the team.

Make brushing time the silliest part of the day. Try brushing with your eyes closed, brushing while making animal sounds, or using a mirror to make silly faces together.

If your child resists, gently joke, “Is there a giggle monster in your mouth? Quick! Let’s brush him out!” The more laughter you invite in, the less stressful it becomes.

There will be days when it’s a struggle, when nothing works, and they cry, and you feel like giving up. That’s normal. Try again later, or use a damp cloth to clean their teeth if they refuse the brush. One off day won’t ruin everything.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s building a habit, gently and consistently. Praise effort, not just success.

You don’t need to be a dentist to do it right. Use a soft-bristled brush and a rice-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste for kids under 3, and a pea-sized amount for older kids. Brush in gentle circles, reaching the front, back, and chewing surfaces.

Until your child has enough coordination (usually around 6 to 8 years), you’ll need to help or supervise their brushing. Make it a team effort instead of a solo task.

Celebrate small wins. Brushed without a tantrum? High five! Finished before the timer? Do a happy dance! Over time, what once felt like a struggle becomes just another fun part of the day.

Remember, kids learn best through love, laughter, and repetition. If brush time is something to look forward to, they’re more likely to stick with it and grow up knowing how to care for their teeth on their own.

Toothbrushing doesn’t have to be a chore. It can be two minutes of laughter, connection, and routine. As parents, we’re always juggling so much, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But by making brushy brush time fun, we’re not just keeping cavities away, we’re creating habits that last a lifetime.

So next time you face a toothbrush standoff, take a deep breath, grab your best silly voice, and remember: even a tiny step forward is still a step in the right direction. You’ve got this.

Keep brushing, keep smiling because healthy habits start with happy hearts (and clean teeth!).