Why is encouraging children to brush their teeth often a recipe for conflict? In our household, bedtime often became a battleground, especially when I struggled to get my determined 2-year-old to cooperate with toothbrushing, amidst screams and resistance. Perhaps in your home, it's your hygiene-averse preteen or resistant teenager who shuts the bathroom door when the topic of brushing arises. As caring parents, responsible for their dental care and the accompanying bills, there's an added urgency to ensure our children maintain good oral hygiene. Yet, regardless of their age, it seems the more we push, the more they push back.
However, when considering which battles to prioritize, this is not one to overlook. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights that tooth decay is prevalent, affecting 45.8 percent of children aged 2–19, making it one of the most common chronic childhood diseases. The American Academy of Pediatrics parenting website underscores that decay in primary (baby) teeth is a significant predictor for cavities in adult teeth, with potential long-term implications for overall health.
So, how can we keep the peace and help our kids establish healthy oral hygiene habits.
1. Toddler-Friendly Techniques
First let’s talk toddlers! From 1 year olds to 3 years old, your toddler will start to show defiant behavior and want to do things themselves, it’s all part of healthy development. But that can mean that brushing and flossing time becomes a little different, maybe your toddler refuses to brush their teeth or they prefer to do it independently and get frustrated when you try to help.
One great strategy to try with your toddler is to encourage their independence through play. For example, make their toothbrushing a safari adventure! Get a colorful toothbrush, explain you’re going on a safari so they can find an animal and brush their teeth. Encourage them to find their favorite stuffed animal and bring it back to the safari clinic so they can brush the germs/sugar bugs off their teeth and help them stay safe in the wild. Have them “brush” their stuffy’s teeth first as this creates a fun and positive experience before having them brush their own teeth. Be sure you’re standing with them and offer assistance with their technique as the “animal” hygienist (and with your own child’s brushing).
2. Make toothbrushing into a story
If your 7 year old refuses to brush teeth, make their oral hygiene routine like an interactive story! This is a great strategy to help foster their imagination and inquisitive mind. Here’s a fun story that parents like you can try out for your kiddo:
“Mr. Toothbrush” and “Miss Floss” are the superheroes of oral hygiene who need assistance from your child (have them make up a superhero name for themselves). Their mission is to clean up “Sugar Bug Castle” and save the “Kingdom (or Queendom) of Smiles”! You can use silly phrases to describe how a toothbrush cleans their teeth. Announcements such as “Fear not, Miss Floss! With my mighty scrubbing powers, I’ll scrub away the stickiness from the castle walls!” and for Miss Floss you could use “And with my minty threads, I’ll floss away the Sugar Bugs from every nook and cranny”!
Let your child interject and encourage their replies as you paint them to be the heroes of this story as they wield their toothbrush and floss to save the day.
3. Play some music
Music is a great way to make brushing and flossing fun! Studies have been done that show music boosts your concentration and helps reduce anxiety. You can have your child pick out a 2 minute song or create their own “toothbrushing” playlist or just simply play their favorite song! Be sure to encourage them to brush for a full 2 minutes and floss to the beat. Need help finding good toothbrushing songs for kids, check out this list here!
4. Use a sticker or reward chart
Sticker charts are fantastic when you’re having trouble getting your child to brush and floss regularly. They can be a great visual to show your child’s progress and help with motivation but sometimes their effectiveness can only last a few weeks. So try doing sticker charts during Dental Health Month or during a difficult time. Be sure to use non-tangible rewards such as “a choice of activity” or 30 extra minutes of screentime as opposed to treats or candy.
5. Choose the right pediatric for your child
Having a dental home for your family is incredibly important to good oral health! While parents are the superstars at home helping their child maintain their dental health, your child’s pediatric dentist is part of your team. It’s important to find the right pediatric dentist in Thane for your family, one who has the specialized training and a fun, comfortable environment for your child.
6. Keep regular dental appointments
Making sure you and your child attend their dental appointments every 6 months goes a long way and making brushing and flossing fun! Staying on top of their dental check-ups gives your child the best opportunity to keep the entire dental experience a positive and fun one. If your family tends to keep irregular appointments this reduces the chance of your pediatric dentist detecting dental issues before they develop or worsen, leading to possible discomfort or pain for your child in the form of impacted teeth or cavities. Plus these appointments are the best time to ask the Kids Smiles Team for dental health tips or advice as your child teeth and personality grow.
7. Brush your teeth with them
Monkey see, monkey do! Young children love to copy their parents and loved ones – sometimes even kids their age. Just simply brushing your teeth beside them can get them excited about doing what mommy or daddy does. Narrate what you’re going to do – brush top and bottom, behind your teeth, side to side, in circles (or just be silly and say you’re brushing your teeth in their favorite shape). If you have more than one child, make it into a family competition – who can brush the best or make the coolest toothpaste bubble mustache.
8. Choose kid-friendly tools
Depending on your child’s age, have them pick out their toothbrush at the store, give them a choice between 2 toothpastes, and choose their favorite flossers. With toddlers, parents are encouraged to choose their child’s favorite color or character toothbrush and an ADA-approved flosser. This sense of ownership and personalization can make your child more enthusiastic about brushing and flossing their teeth.
Still have questions about fun ways to teach brushing teeth?
Give these tips and tricks a try with your child! The important thing to remember when encouraging proper brushing and flossing for kids is to create positive, playful experiences and reinforce good habits with praise or non-tangible rewards. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions about your child’s dental health care.
Looking for an expert pediatric dentist in Thane? Request your child’s appointment with us today. Call us on +91-7208667500
About the author
Dr. Shruti Rathi is a Periodontist and Implantologist with more than 14 years of experience in providing patients with painfree dental treatments. Her mission is to change people's perception of dentistry from a painful ordeal to an indulgent experience. She loves blogging and conducting educational camps for kids as well as adults. She has several national and international papers to her credit. To know more about her, click here.
