...now it’s just background noise while he tries to brush his stuffed dinosaur’s “teeth” instead of his own.
I really relate to the chaos you’re describing. I remember when my grandkids were little, getting them to focus on their own teeth instead of whatever toy was nearby felt like a circus act. I can’t say the Sonicare (or any electric brush) magically made things easier for us, but it did give me a bit more peace of mind that if they were even half-heartedly brushing, at least the brush was doing some of the work.
I’m always a bit anxious about gadgets—sometimes they just end up in the drawer. But with my youngest granddaughter, she actually liked the vibration and lights for a while. The novelty faded, but she did seem to get her teeth a bit cleaner than with a manual brush. Still, I wouldn’t say it took away all the nightly drama. The routine is still hit or miss, but I figure every little bit helps.
Hang in there. Some days are just about getting through it without anyone crying (including us adults).
Getting kids to brush their own teeth (instead of every toy in the house) is honestly one of those things that sounds simple until you’re actually in the thick of it. I see a lot of families feeling exactly like you do—wondering if these electric brushes are really worth the hype, or if they’re just another gadget collecting dust.
Here’s what I’ve noticed over the years: even when the novelty wears off, a powered brush can still be helpful for kids who aren’t super thorough on their own. The built-in timer is surprisingly effective for some—kids seem to pay more attention to an external cue than a parent nagging them to keep brushing. That said, I’ve also seen plenty of brushes end up forgotten in a drawer after a few weeks. It really depends on the kid’s personality and how much they like gadgets.
You mentioned feeling anxious about relying on gadgets, and I totally get that. Sometimes it feels like we’re just throwing money at the problem, hoping something sticks. But even if it doesn’t solve everything, a little extra help with cleaning is better than nothing, especially during those “just survive bedtime” phases.
One thing that sometimes helps: letting kids pick out their own brush or toothpaste flavor. It sounds silly, but giving them some control can make them more invested (at least for a while). And honestly, there are nights when “good enough” is all anyone can manage—if everyone gets through without tears, that’s a win in my book.
Don’t beat yourself up if it’s not perfect every night. Consistency over time matters more than any single brushing session. And you’re definitely not alone in feeling like you’re running a circus act rather than a bathroom routine... I think most parents have been there at some point.
Hang in there—you’re doing better than you think.
The struggle is real. I remember when my youngest was obsessed with brushing every action figure’s “teeth” but would run away the second it was time for his own. We tried both the Sonicare and Oral-B Junior at different points, mostly because I got one as a gift and found the other on sale. Honestly, I was skeptical about spending extra on a gadget that might end up in the toy box with everything else.
What surprised me: the timer feature actually made a difference. My kiddo liked the beeps and lights (for a while anyway), and it sort of turned brushing into a mini-game. But after a couple months, the excitement faded—back to square one unless we kept mixing things up.
From a budget perspective, refills can add up. The Oral-B heads were easier to find and usually cheaper at our local store, which mattered more than I expected. If you’re looking for staying power, neither brush was magic for us, but letting him pick out his own toothpaste flavor did buy us a few drama-free nights.
At this point, I’m convinced there’s no perfect solution—just whatever keeps the peace and gets some toothpaste on actual teeth most nights.
The timer thing cracked me up because my niece treated it like a race at first—she’d brush with this wild intensity just to “win” the beeps. But yeah, the novelty wore off fast. I’m deep in braces land right now, so I totally relate to the struggle of keeping kids (and honestly, myself) motivated. For us, sticker charts lasted longer than any fancy brush features. Also, why are replacement heads so expensive? Feels like a scam. At this point, I’d take half-decent brushing over daily negotiations... it’s survival mode.
Sticker charts definitely outlasted any gadget hype in our house too. My kid was all about the Sonicare app for like a week, then it was back to bribery and reminders. Those replacement heads are no joke—sometimes I wonder if they’re made of gold or something. At this point, if we get through a brushing without drama, I’m calling it a win. Braces make everything feel ten times harder, honestly. Hang in there... you’re not alone in survival mode.
