Tricks to get kids excited about brushing teeth

Flavored toothpaste worked pretty well for us, but honestly, the novelty wore off kinda quick. What actually ended up helping was letting them pick their own toothbrushes at the dollar store. Cheap enough to swap out regularly, and they loved having control over something small like that...

That's a thoughtful approach you've taken - giving kids a sense of control can definitely make a difference. I remember when my grandkids were younger, the toothbrush aisle was practically their favorite spot in the store... who knew? Sometimes it's those small things, like choosing their own brushes, that really build healthy habits. You're doing great by encouraging their independence early on. Keep it up!

"Sometimes it's those small things, like choosing their own brushes, that really build healthy habits."

Totally agree with this! My daughter went through a phase where she insisted on having a toothbrush that matched her pajamas... every night. 🙄😂 At first it drove me a little nuts, but honestly, it made bedtime way less stressful. Giving kids a little bit of say in these tiny decisions really helps them feel involved and makes routines way easier. Gotta pick your battles, right?

"Giving kids a little bit of say in these tiny decisions really helps them feel involved and makes routines way easier."

This is spot on. My son used to absolutely dread brushing his teeth - like, full-on meltdown mode every night. Then one day at the store, he spotted this toothbrush with flashing lights and begged me for it. Honestly, I thought it was a gimmick at first, but figured why not give it a shot. Turns out, that silly blinking toothbrush completely changed our bedtime routine. He started looking forward to brushing because he loved watching the lights flash until they stopped (which conveniently lasted exactly two minutes). Who knew something so simple could make such a difference?

I think sometimes we underestimate how much kids value having control over small things. It might seem trivial to us adults, but for them it's huge... and if it means fewer bedtime battles, I'm all for it.

This makes total sense. I mean, think back to when we were kids - didn't we all get excited about the silliest little things? I remember my parents let me pick out bubblegum-flavored toothpaste once, and suddenly brushing felt like dessert time (probably wasn't the healthiest mindset lol).

"I think sometimes we underestimate how much kids value having control over small things."

Exactly. Have you tried letting him pick a fun toothpaste flavor too? Could double down on the excitement factor...

Flavor choices definitely help, but honestly, it can backfire too. My daughter picked out some glittery unicorn toothpaste once - super excited at first, but after two days she hated the taste and refused to brush altogether. Sometimes simpler is better...just my two cents.

"My daughter picked out some glittery unicorn toothpaste once - super excited at first, but after two days she hated the taste and refused to brush altogether."

Haha, been there! Glittery unicorn toothpaste sounds like a dentist's nightmare anyway...but I get the appeal. Curious though, have you tried pairing brushing with something else your daughter enjoys? Like maybe a favorite song or a short video clip that only plays during brushing time. I've heard some parents swear by those toothbrush timer apps too - turning it into a mini-game or challenge seems to help. But then again, every kid is different. Do you think making brushing into a game or routine activity works better than relying on fun flavors and packaging?

I've heard some parents swear by those toothbrush timer apps too - turning it into a mini-game or challenge seems to help.

Haha, glittery unicorn toothpaste...sounds like something my granddaughter would pick out. We had a similar issue, and honestly, the novelty stuff never lasted long. What worked better for us was turning brushing into a little nightly ritual - first pajamas, then brushing teeth while humming her favorite song, then storytime. Kids seem to thrive on routine more than flavor gimmicks, in my experience anyway. Maybe try something consistent and comforting rather than flashy? Could save you from another toothpaste rebellion down the road...

Timers and apps can definitely help, especially at first. But I've noticed kids eventually lose interest unless there's something else keeping them engaged. Building a routine around brushing is great advice - have you tried letting your granddaughter pick her own toothbrush or cup? Sometimes little choices make a big difference...

"Timers and apps can definitely help, especially at first. But I've noticed kids eventually lose interest unless there's something else keeping them engaged."

Yeah, timers were a bust with my nephew too after the novelty wore off. Honestly, the toothbrush choice thing didn't do much either - what finally clicked was brushing together. He just liked copying me, I guess... kids are funny that way.

Brushing together worked wonders for my daughter too. I think kids naturally want to mimic adults, especially parents or older siblings. Timers and apps were okay at first, but she quickly figured out it was just another chore wrapped in a cute package. What actually got her excited was turning it into a game or a challenge - like seeing who could brush longer or who could make more bubbles. Silly, but effective.

Another thing that helped was storytelling. I'd make up these ridiculous stories about "sugar monsters" hiding in her teeth, and she'd have to brush them away before they built their "sugar castles." Sounds goofy, I know, but it really clicked with her imagination. Now she's older and rolls her eyes at my stories, but hey, whatever works, right?

I'm curious though - has anyone tried those toothbrushes that play music through vibrations? I've seen them advertised but haven't actually bought one yet. Wondering if they're worth the hype or if it's just another gimmick kids lose interest in after a week...

We've tried those musical toothbrushes - honestly, mixed results here. My son loved it at first because it was new and exciting, but the novelty wore off pretty quickly. Still, your storytelling idea is actually genius. Kids respond so well when you tap into their imaginations like that... definitely not goofy if it works! Keep doing what you're doing - sounds like you're on the right track.

Haha, musical toothbrushes are hit or miss for sure. One thing that worked wonders with my niece was turning brushing into a mini "science experiment." We got those plaque-disclosing tablets (the ones that turn your teeth pink or purple), and she thought it was hilarious seeing her teeth change colors. Then we'd brush step-by-step to "erase" the color. It became a nightly game - plus, bonus points for sneaking in some dental hygiene education without her noticing... sneaky uncle win right there.

"We got those plaque-disclosing tablets (the ones that turn your teeth pink or purple), and she thought it was hilarious seeing her teeth change colors."

Wait, those tablets actually worked for your niece? I've seen them at my dentist's office but always wondered if they'd freak kids out. I remember using them myself when I first got braces, and honestly, it stressed me out a bit seeing all that color stuck around the brackets. I kept thinking I'd never get it all off, haha... anxiety central.

But turning it into a game is pretty clever. Wish someone had done that for me when I was younger. My parents tried the musical toothbrush thing too, and yeah, total miss. It just made brushing feel rushed and chaotic. Did anyone else feel like they had to brush faster to keep up with the music? Or was that just me?

One thing that did help me (and still does, embarrassingly enough) was having a timer visible. Like, an actual sand timer or even just a phone timer counting down. Something about seeing the seconds tick away calmed my nerves and made brushing feel manageable. Maybe kids who get anxious or impatient might benefit from something similar?

Also, does anyone else have experience with flavored toothpaste? My younger cousin swears by bubblegum flavor, but personally, I can't stand it. Mint feels cleaner somehow. Curious if flavor really makes a difference for kids or if it's more of a gimmick...

Those tablets can definitely be hit or miss depending on the kid. I've had patients who absolutely love seeing their teeth change colors, while others get a bit overwhelmed by the messiness of it all - especially with braces. Your anxiety about the brackets makes total sense, by the way. And yeah, flavored toothpaste can be helpful for some kids, but it's really individual. Mint does feel cleaner to me too, but hey, if bubblegum gets them brushing regularly, I'm all for it.

Haha, those tablets were a total disaster in our house - my kiddo ended up looking like he'd eaten a Smurf. 😅 But flavored toothpaste has been a lifesaver here. Bubblegum was a hit for a while, but now we're onto watermelon...go figure. Honestly, whatever keeps the toothbrush moving is fine by me. Has anyone tried those toothbrushes that play music or have timers built in? Wondering if they're worth the hype or just another gimmick collecting dust in the bathroom drawer...

"Has anyone tried those toothbrushes that play music or have timers built in? Wondering if they're worth the hype or just another gimmick collecting dust in the bathroom drawer..."

We've tried a few timer toothbrushes at our practice, and honestly, they can be pretty helpful - especially for younger kids who rush through brushing. The music ones... well, they're cute but tend to lose their charm quickly. A simple two-minute timer brush is usually enough. Plus, less chance of it becoming another forgotten gadget cluttering the drawer. I'd stick with something basic and reliable, personally.

We tried one of those musical toothbrushes for our daughter when she was about four. At first, it was a huge hit - she danced around the bathroom and brushing became a mini dance party. But after maybe two weeks, the novelty wore off and it ended up just another regular toothbrush (with dead batteries, lol). I agree with this:

"The music ones... well, they're cute but tend to lose their charm quickly."

Honestly, what worked better for us was making brushing part of a bedtime story routine or letting her pick out her own toothpaste flavor. Small things sometimes work best. Hang in there!

We had a similar experience with those toothbrushes too. My son got one as a gift from his grandma and was super excited at first - he even wanted to brush his teeth multiple times a day just for the music. But yeah, after maybe a week or two, it became just another forgotten gadget in the bathroom drawer.

What ended up working better for us was turning brushing into a little game or challenge. I'd do silly voices or pretend to "inspect" his teeth like some kind of tooth detective afterward. He loved that, and it kept him interested way longer than any fancy toothbrush ever did. Also, letting him pick out his own toothbrush (usually something with superheroes or dinosaurs on it) seemed to help keep him invested.

I totally agree about the toothpaste flavors too... it's surprising how much difference something so simple can make. Kids are funny like that - sometimes the smallest things click with them more than the flashy stuff does.

Haha, the toothbrush graveyard in the bathroom drawer - sounds familiar. Those musical brushes are cool at first, but kids get bored fast. One trick I've seen work really well is using a toothbrushing chart. Every successful brushing earns a sticker, and after collecting enough stickers (say, a week's worth), they get a small reward or privilege. It's funny how kids can be motivated by something as simple as stickers... but hey, whatever gets the job done, right?