From Battle to Bonding: Making Brushing Fun for Your Kids

The good news is that this challenge is not insurmountable. It is a phase that can be navigated with patience, creativity, and a toolkit of positive strategies. This guide is designed to move beyond the "why" and focus on the "how," providing practical, evidence-based tips and tricks to transform toothbrushing from a daily duel into a positive, predictable, and even fun routine for the whole family.

I’ve had many patients ask, “when do I start brushing my child’s teeth?”and I tell them every time, “before they actually have them”.  Oral healthcare actually starts before a child has teeth.  Now, it is common for toddlers and preschoolers to resist having their teeth brushed.1 This challenge is best met not with force, but with a consistent and positive approach that reframes the parent's role from enforcer to coach. The goal is to make brushing a non-negotiable but pleasant part of the daily routine.

1. Offer Choices, Share Control: Acknowledge your child's desire for autonomy by offering limited, acceptable choices. One of the best recommendations I heard from a fellow hygienist was to allow the child to pick their own age-appropriate toothbrush which provides them a sense of control and make them more willing to participate. Tapping into their interests by choosing a brush with a favorite character, such as a Colgate Kids Unicorn, BlueyTM, Mermaid, MinecraftTM, or MinionsTM toothbrush, can transform brushing from a chore into something they look forward to.

2. Lead by Example: Children are natural mimics. Make brushing a family affair where your child can watch you brush your teeth. You can even let them "practice" brushing your teeth before you brush theirs. This demonstrates that brushing is a normal and important activity for everyone.

3. Make It Fun: Turn the required two minutes into a game. Sing or brush to a favorite song, use a brushing app with a timer or choose brushes with fun characters they love.  Distraction can be a powerful tool.

4. Take Turns: A "my turn, your turn" approach can be very effective. Let the child start by brushing their own teeth (with your help), and then you take a turn to "finish the job" and ensure all surfaces are cleaned thoroughly.

5. Start Slow and Build Up: For a child who is very resistant, accept that the first few attempts may not be perfect. The initial goal is to get them used to the process. Start with a goal of 30 seconds and gradually work your way up to the full two minutes as they become more comfortable.

6. Use Positive Reinforcement: Offer plenty of praise and encouragement for their cooperation, no matter how small. Acknowledging their good behavior reinforces a positive association with oral hygiene. For older children, a simple reward system, like a sticker on a calendar for each successful brushing, can provide motivation. The ADA provides free printable resources to encourage children to brush morning and night and having a calendar allows the child to have a visual for self-confirmation every day.

7. Establish a Predictable Routine: Incorporate toothbrushing into the daily schedule at the same times every day, such as right after breakfast and as the last step before bedtime stories. When brushing becomes an expected part of the day, there is often less resistance.

8. Talk About It: Depending on their age, some children can tell you what they don't like about brushing. Ask them what's bothering them. Perhaps the bristles feel funny, or they don't like the taste of the toothpaste. This opens the door to finding a solution together.

9. Bring in Reinforcements: Let your child's favorite toy or stuffed animal get in on the fun. Take turns brushing the toy's "teeth" and then your child's teeth.

10. Consider a Power Brush: For some children, a powered toothbrush can make the process more exciting. Many powered brushes designed for kids, like the Colgate Kids character toothbrushes, have small, vibrating heads with extra soft bristles that are gentle on gums. The slim, easy-to-hold handles are perfect for little hands, and the fun designs can motivate them to brush.2

While winning your child's cooperation is half the battle, using the correct technique is essential to effectively remove plaque and prevent decay.

• Positioning for Success: For infants and toddlers, it is often easiest to have them lie down, either on a changing pad or across your lap. This position provides good visibility and control for the parent performing the brushing.

• The Right Amount of Toothpaste: The amount of toothpaste used is critical and depends on age. Use a rice-sized smear of toothpaste for children under three, and a pea-sized amount for children ages three to six who can reliably spit.1

• Mastering the Technique: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush designed for children. Angle the bristles at a 45-degree angle toward the gum line. Use gentle, circular motions to clean a small group of teeth at a time, making sure to cover all surfaces: the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces. The entire process should last for two minutes, twice a day.1

• Spit, Don't Rinse: Once your child is old enough, teach them to spit out the excess toothpaste after brushing. Importantly, they should not rinse their mouth with water right away, as this can wash away the toothpaste's benefits.4

As your child grows, their dental needs will change. This quick-reference guide outlines the key focus areas for each developmental stage, helping you provide the right care at the right time.

Pediatric Dental Care Milestones at a Glance

One of the most effective ways to make the two-minute brushing routine fly by is to turn it into a mini dance party. Music is a fantastic motivator and a great way to keep track of time without constantly checking a clock. Many parents find success by singing a favorite song or playing a video to make the time enjoyable. Creating a dedicated brushing playlist with your child can give them another sense of ownership over the routine. Establishing healthy oral habits is a journey, not a destination. The brushing battles common in early childhood are a temporary phase, but the positive routines you build during this time can last a lifetime. By arming yourself with patience, creativity, and a consistent playbook of positive strategies, you can transform a daily point of friction into a moment of connection. Remember that you are your child's most important coach in their health journey. Winning the brushing battle is not just about preventing cavities today; it's about empowering your child with the skills and attitude to maintain a healthy, confident smile for life.

Colgate wants to create the ultimate, kid-approved, two-minute brushing playlist, and they need your help. What's the song that gets your little one excited to brush? Submit your child's favorite brushing song, and we will curate the best of the best into a playlist that we'll share on our Spotify channel. Together, we can help parents everywhere win the brushing battle, one song at a time.

Works cited

1. How to Teach Your Children to Brush Their Teeth | Colgate®, https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/brushing-and-flossing/teaching-your-children-how-to-brush-and-floss

2. ADA.org - American Dental Association, https://www.ada.org/-/media/project/ada-organization/ada/ada-org/files/resources/public-programs/give-kids-a-smile/ada-gkasts-eng_dental_professionals.pdf?rev=990fc0cd385e483f9667881b2c30f894&hash=E0D1C22AF8A96D116C70E8A3130A3FE7

3. Babies and Kids | MouthHealthy - Oral Health Information from the ADA, https://www.ada.org/sitecore/content/ADA-Organization/ADA/MouthHealthy/home/life-stages/babies-and-kids

4. FAQ - AAPD, https://www.aapd.org/resources/parent/faq

5. Healthy Habits - Babies and Kids | MouthHealthy - Oral Health Information from the ADA, https://www.mouthhealthy.org/life-stages/babies-and-kids/healthy-habits-babies-and-kids

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2020). Good Oral Health Starts Early.