"Honestly though, whatever gets them brushing regularly is a win in my book."
Totally agree with this! Have you tried those toothbrushes that play music or light up? My nephew went from hating brushing to begging for it overnight... might save your ears from another karaoke session.
You're definitely onto something with the musical toothbrushes. I've seen a lot of kids in my practice who went from dreading brushing to actually looking forward to it because of those little gadgets. Honestly, whatever makes brushing less of a chore and more of a fun routine is worth trying.
One thing I've noticed is that kids respond really well when they feel like they're in control or have some say in the process. Letting them pick out their own toothbrush or toothpaste flavor can make a huge difference. I had one patient who absolutely refused to brush until his mom let him choose a toothpaste with his favorite cartoon character on it. Suddenly, brushing became his favorite part of bedtime.
Also, don't underestimate the power of positive reinforcement. A simple sticker chart or small reward system can work wonders. I've seen parents get creative—one family I know made a "toothbrushing treasure chest" filled with tiny toys and stickers. Every week of consistent brushing earned their kid a pick from the chest. It turned brushing into something exciting rather than just another chore.
Of course, every kid is different, and what works for one might not work for another. But the key is patience and consistency. Keep trying different approaches until you find something that clicks with your child. And remember, even if it feels like pulling teeth (pun intended) at first, you're doing great by making dental hygiene a priority early on.
Totally agree on the sticker charts, they're a lifesaver. Another trick I've seen work wonders is turning brushing into a mini-story or adventure. My nephew hated brushing until my sister started telling him he had to "battle the sugar bugs" hiding in his teeth. Now he grabs his toothbrush like it's a lightsaber...whatever works, right? Kids love feeling like heroes, so making it playful definitely helps.
Sticker charts definitely help, and the adventure idea is pretty clever too. Reminds me of when my grandkids were younger—my daughter used to play their favorite songs while brushing. They'd brush until the song ended, and it seemed to make the whole thing less of a chore. Wonder if anyone else has tried music? Seems like kids respond well to anything that distracts them from realizing they're actually doing something healthy, haha...
"Wonder if anyone else has tried music? Seems like kids respond well to anything that distracts them from realizing they're actually doing something healthy, haha..."
We've definitely tried music at our house, and it worked surprisingly well for a while. My youngest would brush through the entire chorus of her favorite Disney songs without a single complaint. Of course, kids being kids, she eventually got bored of the same songs every night. Did you ever run into that issue with your grandkids? Curious if rotating playlists or switching up genres helped keep things fresh...
