Tricks to get kids excited about brushing teeth

The plaque tablets sound interesting, hadn't thought about those before. I get your point though about making things too game-like. Sometimes I wonder if kids start brushing just for the reward or the game aspect, does it actually help them develop a genuine habit? Or will they lose interest once the novelty wears off?

We've been trying something a bit different at our house. My daughter was dragging her feet about brushing, so we started doing a little "science experiment" together. We got one of those cheap microscopes online and looked at slides of plaque and bacteria (you can find some pretty good images online too if you don't have a microscope handy). It was a bit gross, but she was fascinated seeing what's actually in her mouth when she doesn't brush properly. Now she's more curious about keeping her teeth clean, not just because it's a game or reward, but because she genuinely understands what's happening.

I think the key might be mixing up methods - using visual aids like plaque tablets occasionally, but also explaining why brushing matters in a way they can understand. Kids are smarter than we give them credit for sometimes, and if they grasp the "why," maybe they'll stick with it longer? At least that's what I'm hoping.

Has anyone else tried something similar with their kids? I'm curious if this approach works for others or if it's just my daughter being particularly into science stuff...

The microscope idea is pretty clever - I hadn't thought of that angle before. We tried something similar but less scientific: my son watched a short cartoon video about cavities and tooth decay. It was animated and funny, but it also showed clearly what happens if you don't brush. He seemed to get it after that. Maybe visuals really are the key? I agree though, mixing methods probably helps keep things fresh and interesting for them. Did anyone else find videos helpful, or was it just us?

Videos can be great, but honestly, I've found hands-on stuff works better long-term. Kids get bored fast - even funny cartoons lose their charm after a few views. Maybe try interactive brushing apps or games instead... keeps them actively involved rather than passively watching?

Yeah, I get what you mean about videos losing their magic after a while. I remember when my niece was little, she loved this silly tooth-brushing song, but after a week? She’d just roll her eyes and wander off halfway through. Honestly, I’m a pretty anxious dental patient myself - probably because I never really got into good habits as a kid. My parents mostly relied on those cartoon videos, but they didn’t stick for me, and now I’m super cautious about dental stuff.

I’ve noticed my nephew is way more into things he can actually touch or control. Those apps with timers and little rewards seem to hold his attention longer than any video ever did. I do worry sometimes about too much screen time, but at least it’s interactive and keeps him brushing for the full two minutes. If I could go back, I’d definitely push for more hands-on stuff instead of just plopping a video in front of kids. In my experience, the more involved you are, the less likely you are to end up like me - nervous every time you sit in the dentist’s chair.

Totally relate to the anxiety thing - same here, dentist visits still make me tense. What’s helped my kid is letting her pick her own toothbrush and toothpaste (she went wild for the watermelon flavor). We also made a sticker chart, and she’s weirdly competitive about filling it up. Videos are fun for a bit, but actually doing stuff together seems to stick more.

Letting kids pick their own stuff is such a game changer. I used to think fancy toothbrushes were a waste, but honestly, if a $2 unicorn brush gets my son to actually brush, it’s money well spent. We did the sticker chart too, but I’ll admit - I started running out of prize ideas pretty quick. One thing that helped us on a tight budget: we turned brushing into a “race” to see who could finish all their teeth first (spoiler: he always “wins”). Not sure it’s dentist-approved, but hey, teeth are getting cleaned and nobody’s crying... that’s a win in my book.

Turning brushing into a race definitely sounds fun for kids, but I always get a bit nervous about the speed factor. I’ve seen some little ones get really into “winning” and end up giving their teeth a quick once-over instead of a good, thorough clean. It’s tough, because you want brushing to be positive, not a power struggle or something they dread.

I totally get the appeal of making it a game - anything to avoid tears and tantrums, right? Still, maybe instead of racing, you could try using a two-minute timer or even a favorite song. A lot of kids’ toothbrushing apps have built-in timers with silly animations, which keeps them engaged without the rush. I know it’s not as exciting as always “winning,” but I’ve watched some kids actually get excited just to see the timer run out or the animation finish.

The unicorn brush idea is great, by the way. Letting them pick their own stuff can make all the difference. But I’d say just keep an eye on the technique if you’re doing races - sometimes you have to slow things down even if it means losing that “game” feeling for a bit. It’s tricky to balance fun and effectiveness... honestly, I still worry about it with my own niece.

Not trying to rain on the parade - just sharing what I’ve seen go sideways sometimes. At the end of the day, if everyone’s teeth are clean and nobody’s crying, that’s already a huge win in my book too.

Honestly, I’ve seen a lot of parents go the “race” route and I get why - it’s so tempting when you’re desperate to avoid a meltdown. But yeah, it can backfire if kids start thinking faster is better. I’ve had little patients come in with plaque still hanging around because they were so focused on “winning” the game.

What seems to work better for a lot of families is making the timer itself the “challenge.” Like, can you keep brushing until the song ends? Or, can you brush every tooth before the silly dinosaur on the app finishes his dance? It’s less about speed and more about sticking with it, which is really what we want anyway.

Letting them pick their own brush or toothpaste - totally agree, that’s huge. My niece went through a phase where she’d only brush with her glittery purple brush. Whatever works, right? Sometimes I’ll even suggest parents brush alongside their kids; modeling good technique can make a bigger difference than any game.

At the end of the day, if brushing isn’t a battle and teeth are actually clean, that’s honestly all anyone can ask for.

Sometimes I’ll even suggest parents brush alongside their kids; modeling good technique can make a bigger difference than any game.

This totally worked for us. My daughter was super anxious about brushing, but when I brushed my teeth at the same time, she got way more into it. We even made silly faces in the mirror. The timer thing helps too - she loves picking a song. I do worry sometimes she’s just playing around and not really brushing, but at least it’s not a meltdown every night anymore.

Mirror brushing is a game-changer, right? My niece used to treat toothbrushes like they were torture devices, but once we started brushing together and making weird faces, it was suddenly the highlight of her bedtime routine. Not saying she’s ready for a dental hygiene commercial, but at least she’s not running away with the toothpaste anymore.

I totally get the worry about her just goofing off instead of actually brushing. My trick has been the “show me your sparkle” check at the end - she gets to show off her teeth, and I do a quick once-over. Sometimes I’ll spot a rogue bit of dinner and we’ll do a “bonus brush.” She thinks it’s hilarious when I pretend to find a “broccoli forest” stuck in her teeth.

The song timer is a solid move. We used to use the classic “Happy Birthday” twice, but she got bored fast. Now it’s all about picking a song on my phone. If she’s really in a silly mood, I’ll challenge her to brush until the chorus hits, or we’ll have a dance break mid-brush. Not exactly textbook technique, but it keeps her at the sink.

If you’re worried about technique slipping, maybe try the “Simon Says” approach? I’ll say, “Simon says brush your top teeth,” or “Simon says tiny circles.” She gets a kick out of catching me when I forget to say Simon. It’s goofy, but it helps her focus on the actual brushing part, not just the fun.

Honestly, as long as she’s not melting down, you’re winning. The rest - good habits, better technique - will come with time. At least that’s what I tell myself when I’m scraping toothpaste off the mirror for the third time this week...

Love the “broccoli forest” - I’ve done the same with my nephew, but his is always “carrot mountain.” Honestly, if there’s laughter at the sink, you’re halfway there. I’ve noticed the sillier I get, the more he actually brushes. Technique comes with time... and a lot of toothpaste on the counter.

Carrot mountain, broccoli forest... I’m starting to think we need a whole veggie landscape for toothbrushing. My niece has “toothpaste volcanoes” - she basically erupts the tube all over the sink. But hey, if it gets her brushing, I’ll take it. Anyone else have to hide their own electric brush so the kids don’t steal it? I swear mine’s gone missing more times than my retainers.

I get the idea of making brushing fun, but honestly, I try to keep it simple. The more “volcanoes” and mess, the more cleaning for me… and it kinda turns into a game of who can waste more toothpaste. My kid just picks their own brush and toothpaste flavor, and that’s been enough. Haven’t had to hide my electric one - she thinks it’s too “buzzy,” so maybe I lucked out there.

I get wanting to avoid a mess, but I’ve seen firsthand with my grandkids - sometimes a little extra excitement actually helps them stick with brushing. Sure, it’s more cleanup, but honestly, I’d rather wipe up a few splatters than deal with cavities down the line. Maybe not volcanoes every night, but a silly song or timer now and then doesn’t hurt.

“sometimes a little extra excitement actually helps them stick with brushing. Sure, it’s more cleanup, but honestly, I’d rather wipe up a few splatters than deal with cavities down the line.”

I get where you’re coming from, but in my experience, too much excitement can sometimes backfire - especially for kids with braces or appliances. I’ve seen my younger cousins get so caught up in the “fun” part that they rush through and miss spots around brackets. For us, focusing on technique is just as important as making it enjoyable. Maybe there’s a middle ground - like using a reward chart or letting them pick their own toothpaste flavor? The mess is one thing, but making sure they’re actually cleaning well matters even more when orthodontics are involved.

That’s a fair point - braces definitely up the stakes. I’ve seen kids turn brushing into a full-on foam party, but then miss half the metalwork. Sometimes I’ll suggest a “mirror check” game: whoever finds the most missed spots wins... nothing, but hey, bragging rights matter at that age. Reward charts can work, too, especially if you sneak in a lesson about technique. A little mess is fine, but you’re right - clean teeth beat clean counters every time.

Mirror check is genius, honestly. I tried something similar with my nephew - turned it into a “spy mission” where he had to spot any leftover gunk on his braces using a flashlight. He got super into it, and weirdly, started brushing better just because it felt like a game. I’ve noticed music helps too… set a timer with their favorite song, and suddenly two minutes doesn’t feel like forever. Messy sink? Eh, worth it if the teeth are actually clean.

I get the appeal of making it a game, but honestly, when my grandkids visit, I find the simpler the better. All those gadgets and tricks just made cleanup more of a headache for me. Sometimes, just brushing together and chatting works wonders - kids pick up more from watching than we realize.

That makes a lot of sense. I’ve noticed with my youngest, if I just brush my teeth alongside her and talk about our day, she gets more into it than when I try to make a big production out of it. Do your grandkids ever ask questions while you’re brushing together? Sometimes mine will just mimic what I’m doing without me even realizing. It’s funny how much they pick up just by watching us, isn’t it?

It’s wild how much they absorb just from watching, isn’t it? My oldest grandkid barely says a word during brushing, but every so often she’ll ask something totally unexpected - like why toothpaste is minty or if sharks brush their teeth. I’ve found the less I fuss over the routine, the more relaxed (and thorough) she gets. Sometimes I catch her checking her teeth in the mirror just like I do… makes me realize those little habits really stick. You’re definitely onto something with just making it part of your time together instead of a big event.