I still use a timer on my phone sometimes if I’m half asleep in the morning... whatever works, right?
That’s honestly me with my kiddo. Some mornings, getting him to brush feels like negotiating with a tiny, very stubborn lawyer. We’ve tried the singing toothbrush, the ones that light up, even a sticker chart (which turned into more of a sticker war). I swear, if they made a toothbrush that dispensed chocolate milk, he’d be all over it.
I get what you mean about routine as an adult—I’m all about the autopilot brushing now. But for kids? It’s like you need a circus act just to get two minutes in. And timers totally help, as long as I remember not to set it for 20 minutes by mistake… let’s just say nobody needs that much brushing before school.
Tackling decay in 13 teeth has been wild. We’re finally seeing some improvement since we started making it kind of a goofy game (“who can make the most bubbles?” is weirdly effective). Not perfect, but honestly, whatever keeps those teeth in his mouth at this point…
- Relate to the struggle—getting my son to brush was like herding cats, especially when he was younger.
- Timers definitely help, but I’ve found using a sand timer (the kind that comes with some kids’ brushes) is less distracting than a phone.
- Tried the “bubble contest” game too, and oddly, it worked better than reward charts for us. Kids really do respond to play.
- If decay’s already set in, I’d add: fluoride varnish treatments at the dentist made a noticeable difference for us. Not a cure-all, but worth asking about.
- One thing we learned the hard way: rinsing with water after brushing can wash away the fluoride, so now we just spit and leave it at that. Small change, but it seems to help.
I totally get why you’d skip rinsing after brushing, since the fluoride needs some time to work its magic. But I’ve actually seen a few kids get a bit of a tummy ache from leftover toothpaste, especially if they’re using a pea-sized blob and not spitting it all out. Sometimes a tiny sip of water just to swish and spit (not a full rinse) can help, especially for younger ones who might swallow more than they should. It’s a tricky balance. Curious if anyone else has run into that?
That brings back memories of my own dental drama as a kid—my mom always worried I’d swallow toothpaste, and honestly, I probably did a few times. I remember feeling a bit queasy after brushing, especially when I tried to follow the “no rinsing” rule. Now, even as an adult, I get nervous about leaving too much toothpaste behind, but I’m also paranoid about rinsing away the fluoride. Has anyone tried those fluoride mouth rinses instead of toothpaste for sensitive stomachs? I’ve wondered if that’s any gentler.
Man, the “no rinsing” thing is still a mystery to me—like, am I supposed to just let the toothpaste marinate in there? I get the science, but it always feels a bit gross. I’ve definitely had that queasy feeling too, especially with those super strong minty pastes. Tried a fluoride rinse for a while when my stomach was acting up, and honestly, it was a little easier on me, but it didn’t feel quite as thorough as brushing. Might just be in my head, though.
One thing I learned (the hard way) is that using a tiny dab of toothpaste and then spitting really well—without obsessively rinsing—helped cut down on the nausea. And if you’re worried about missing out on fluoride, those rinses are a decent backup. Not sure they totally replace toothpaste, but they’re better than nothing if brushing is making you miserable.
Dental drama as a kid sticks with you... Glad I’m not the only one still overthinking toothpaste as an adult.
