As every parent knows, it’s so important to instil good oral health and toothbrushing habits in our kids. Their teeth are so precious and important, and the habits that are learned young will set the foundation for later life – but sometimes young children may be resistant to brushing their teeth. Perhaps they forget, or they don’t want to spend the time, or even they don’t like the taste or feel of brushing. If that’s the case here are some activities and ideas to help motivate and encourage kids to brush their teeth properly so that they will be ready willing and able to brush twice each day for two minutes at a time.
Egg and soda toothbrushing experiment at Milk and Cuddles
Toothbrushing water play at Teach Preschool
Hands on toothbrushing activity with egg cartons and “gak” at Parenting Chaos
Printable toothbrushing reward chart at Happiness is Homemade
Turn tooth brushing into a rock concert at Lemon Lime Adventures
My kids also enjoy the magic tooth fairy game, although not specifically about brushing it’s still a reminder of how precious teeth are and that they should be looked after! I also introduced electric toothbrushes to the kids, which helps them do a better job with their teeth. Mr Z loves the electric toothbrush, and Mr T wasn’t so sure but they can be picked up pretty cheaply so it would be worth a try to see whether your child likes the idea of them.
It’s a shockingly high statistic but 75% of kids forget to brush their teeth. Take the brushing challenge to make sure your kids are always in the healthy 25%. You’ll get 2 texts per day for 5 days, plus occasional tips and fun facts afterward. Sign up to see if YOUR family can beat the challenge. Sign up here
Kids should be brushing for 2 minutes two times per day. To help make this task more fun and to help keep them more aware of the time, you could have them watch a short 2 minute video while they brush!
You can find some 2 minute videos here so that kids can watch and brush!
Check out this short video too, to show how teaching oral health measures up to some of the more time consuming aspects of parenting!
Image: Toothbrushes in bathroom Shutterstock (modified)
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
Yes, we always made our daughter brush to a song that we played or sang. It seemed to work.
Buy a cute egg timer and let them switch it on whilst they clean their teeth!
keep a close eye on them
I really needed this post. Teeth time is a struggle in our house.
Such fun ideas! Our kids love brushing their teeth, but I realize that might not last forever!
The only tip I have for oral hygiene is consistent routine 🙂
I really don’t have any tips other than be consistent!! Thank you!
My Daughter likes me to count in Missisippi’s, She’ll pick a number such as 30 & I have to count up to that number whilst brushing her teeth.
Brush your teeth together with you kids to music to make it fun.
We have a timer on the tooth brushes and my boys love it x
A musical toothbrush and a cute egg timer
The electronic toothbrushes definitely help my kids!
Getting a special toothbrush and toothpaste seemed to do the trick for my daughter. She’s actually really good about it too! (Lucky me!)
I bought a cute timer for them to brush their teeth to
So hard to get them to brush properly. Popping by from Mondays Parenting Pin it Party