One thing I’ve started recommending is letting kids pick their own toothbrushes or toothpaste flavors. It sounds minor, but having a say seems to give them some ownership.
Honestly, I’ve tried the “pick your toothbrush” trick and it turned into a full-blown negotiation—think Geneva Convention, but with Paw Patrol merch. Sometimes too much choice just leads to analysis paralysis (and a meltdown). I actually had better luck with a simple electric brush that lights up. The novelty factor did more than flavor wars ever did. Maybe it’s just my crew, but tech over characters seems to win out...
Totally get what you mean about too many choices—my youngest once spent 15 minutes in the toothbrush aisle and still left mad. I’m all about keeping it simple (and cheap), so we just use whatever brush is on sale, and honestly, a silly toothbrushing song on my phone works wonders. Sometimes old-school distractions beat flashy gadgets, at least for my wallet.
That toothbrush aisle is wild—there are way too many options for something so basic. I totally get wanting to keep it simple. Honestly, my niece just wants anything with a dinosaur on it, but half the time she ends up using whatever’s in the drawer anyway. I’ve noticed the songs or even just letting her pick a silly sticker after brushing seem to work better than any of those expensive “smart” brushes. Sometimes it really is the little distractions that make the routine stick.
I totally relate to the chaos of that toothbrush aisle—honestly, I get overwhelmed just picking one for myself, let alone a kid. My little cousin is obsessed with sharks, but sometimes I think he just likes chewing on the brush more than actually cleaning his teeth. We tried one of those “smart” brushes with the lights and timers, but it honestly stressed both of us out. I kept feeling like we were in some sort of dental Olympics... not exactly relaxing.
What’s worked way better for us is making up silly stories while brushing, or letting him “brush” my teeth (with a clean brush, obviously). It turns into this goofy bonding thing instead of a battle. I get anxious about whether we’re doing it “right” enough, but our dentist said the main thing is just making it part of the routine and not turning it into a power struggle. The sticker thing is genius, by the way—I might have to try that next time, because honestly, some days I’d probably brush my teeth twice for a dinosaur sticker too.
Totally agree that making it a routine matters more than getting every second “right.” I see a lot of parents stressing over technique, but honestly, if it’s fun and consistent, that’s half the battle. Stories or songs work better than gadgets in my experience—kids pick up on our mood fast. Stickers are surprisingly motivating... even for adults, honestly.
