Great Ideas To Make Teeth Brushing Fun For Kids

By Helen Bradford, Contributing Author , beauty, health and style trends for women expert

True, it’s not always easy to convince our kids it’s important to do certain things and yet alone to make sure they will do it regularly and without complaining.

Brushing their teeth can be one of those things – kids often don’t have the patience to brush their teeth for two minutes or to brush them at all, especially in the evening when they would rather watch TV or simply go to sleep.

Still, it’s possible to make it a fun activity for your kids so that you don’t waste time reminding them to do it.

1. Set an example

Children love imitating what their parents do. They will use their mum’s makeup or imitate the moves of their dad shaving. So, make them want to brush their teeth just as you do. Let them watch as you thoroughly brush and floss your teeth and use exaggerated gestures so that they can see what you are really doing. Stick out your tongue and show them how to brush it, too. When you’re done, look happy and proud of yourself.

2. Reward your kids

You could make it even more fun if you give your kid a sticker every time they brush their teeth in the morning or in the evening. If it was a successful brushing, let your kid choose a sticker and stick it on the calendar. Hide the rest of the stickers so that every new day it’s a surprise for them. When they succeed in brushing their teeth every day for a month, reward them by buying them a toy they want or with their favorite meal.

3. Play the brushing song

There are songs on the internet you can find made especially for kids to brush their teeth. They are usually two minutes long, just how much the brushing is supposed to last, and some of them even create the sense of race – your kid should brush their teeth properly before the song is over. Try it out; your kid will probably love it!

4. Make the location interesting

It’s no fun for your kid to just sit on the toilet and brush their teeth. Place a stool in front of the mirror so they can watch themselves brushing their teeth. Or even better – let them go to their bedroom and brush teeth in their magic castle or wherever their favorite place is.

5. Let the kids choose

As most kids like choosing their own clothes and toys, they would also enjoy if you let them choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste. Many toothbrushes come in fun colors and with cartoon characters on them. You can even consider personalised children’s toothbrushes, which will make your little ones want to use them even more. They can also choose the flavor of their toothpaste, for example, strawberry or watermelon. When they have their personal set, it will be more important to them to actually use the toothbrush and the toothpaste.

6. Let it be a family event

Whenever you can, make a family event out of it. Kids enjoy doing stuff with their parents so this won’t seem like a chore if they are brushing their teeth in front of the mirror with mum and dad. It can be your morning routine as a family – the sense of togetherness will add a positive context to dental hygiene.

7. Make up a story

If you are a creative person, you could try making up a story where brushing teeth is represented as a way of fighting naughty little bugs that live between the teeth or whatever you think your kid might find interesting and exciting. You know your kid best, so you will be able to find the balance so that you don’t scare your kid with making them be afraid of the bugs in their mouth. Come up with something that could tickle their imagination.

8. Let them practice on you

Sometimes it works if you first let your kid brush your teeth. Yes, it takes some patience to wait until they are satisfied with their work but it will give you the chance to show them how brushing teeth is a pleasant and fun activity. Just make sure you brush your teeth properly afterward!

All in all

Making brushing teeth a joyful activity isn’t as hard as it may seem. The most important thing is to discover what works best for your kid. When you do, all there is left is to make a habit out of it.

Helen Bradford is a journalism student who always seeks new ideas to write about. She enjoys blogging about beauty, health and style trends for women. When she’s not writing, she spends her spare time being active through fitness and traveling.

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