"Makes me wonder if the flavor itself matters less than just giving kids some control or choice in the process."
That's a really good point. With my daughter, we had a similar struggle—mint toothpaste was a definite no-go at first. I tried the fruity flavors too, but honestly, they were pricier and she got bored of them pretty quickly. What ended up working best for us was turning brushing into a little routine she could look forward to. We'd sing a silly song or I'd let her brush my teeth first (which she found hilarious). Eventually, mint wasn't such a big deal anymore because the whole thing became more about fun and less about flavor.
I think you're onto something with the cartoon toothbrush idea, though. Kids love having a say in things, even if it's just picking out their own toothbrush color or character. Small choices like that can make a big difference. Glad you found a method that worked for you too—it's always reassuring to hear other parents' experiences.
Haha, your singing routine reminds me of my grandson's epic toothbrush battles. He hated every flavor we tried—bubblegum, strawberry, mint, you name it. Eventually, I figured out the toothpaste wasn't the real villain; he just wanted to call the shots. Once I let him pick out the toothbrush himself (Spider-Man, obviously), he was suddenly all about brushing. Kids are funny like that... sometimes the solution is less about logic and more about letting them be boss for two minutes a day.
We had a similar issue, but for us it wasn't about flavors or toothbrushes—it was timing. My daughter hated brushing right before bed, so we moved it earlier, right after dinner. Suddenly, no more battles... sometimes it's just about tweaking the routine.
That's a really thoughtful adjustment you made. Timing can definitely make a huge difference—kids are so sensitive to routines. We had a similar experience with my grandson; brushing right before bed was always a struggle because he was already tired and cranky. Moving it earlier, when he still had energy, helped us too. It's great you found something that works for your daughter... sometimes parenting is just trial and error, isn't it? Glad things are smoother now.
"sometimes parenting is just trial and error, isn't it?"
Couldn't agree more with this. It's great you recognized the timing issue early on—many parents overlook that brushing battles often stem from tiredness or overstimulation. I've seen plenty of families struggle because they stick rigidly to bedtime routines without considering their child's energy levels. Small adjustments like yours can make a huge difference in establishing healthy oral habits early... kudos for being proactive and adaptable.
