How To Get Toddler To Brush Teeth: 10 Fun Ways To Try

Your child hates brushing teeth--these fun ways work.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Dur Afshar Agha, MS Dr. Dur Afshar Agha Dr. Dur Afshar AghaMS facebook_iconinsta_icon Specialty: Masters of Tropical PediatricsExperience: 26 years
Written by Dr. Meenakshi Maruwada
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How To Brush Your Toddler’s Teeth?

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Tooth brushing is a vital dental care activity that promotes oral hygiene. But how to get a toddler to brush teeth if they don’t like it? According to experts, parents should start brushing their toddler’s teeth twice a day when their first tooth appears to keep the gums and teeth healthy. Healthy baby or primary teeth help the child chew, enable speech development, and guide permanent teeth into an appropriate position (1) (2) (3).

Keep reading to learn how to keep your toddler’s teeth clean and healthy with practical tips to tackle a toddler resisting tooth brushing.

How To Brush Your Toddler’s Teeth?

It is recommended to use a wet cloth to clean your baby’s gums before their first tooth erupts. Once they have at least one tooth, you can begin brushing their teeth by considering the following points (4).

1. Select the appropriate toothbrush

Parents can use a silicone finger toothbrush to brush their baby’s teeth. You may also use a conventional toothbrush meant for toddlers. These toothbrushes are made for young children and have a small head with soft bristles (5).

Toddler toothbrushes need to be replaced every three months or earlier because children in this age group tend to chew their toothbrushes during their brushing exercise (4).

2. Choose a toddler toothpaste

It is largely believed that toothpaste is not advised for toddlers up to the age of three years. However, it is a myth. Using toothpaste with fluoride helps protect the child’s milk teeth.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), a rice grain-sized smear of toothpaste is recommended for toddlers up to three years of age (6). From three to six years, you must use no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste.

3. Use the right brushing technique

Parents can use a circular motion on the toddler’s teeth to clean its surfaces. Parents can tilt the toddler’s head slightly backward to enable better access while brushing their teeth (4). Make sure you gently brush all the surfaces of the teeth and gums. Ask the toddler to spit out the toothpaste after brushing. It is recommended that you brush your toddler’s teeth twice a day, once before bedtime and morning.

It is recommended to supervise the toothpaste application for toddlers as they are often tempted to lick or eat it. For this reason, it is recommended that parents apply the toothpaste on their child’s toothbrush until they are six years old (2).

Why Do Toddlers Resist Brushing Their Teeth?

It is common for toddlers to resist brushing their teeth. Toddler resistance and defiance may arise from the stage of development they are undergoing. They are trying to find their independence and ascertain their newfound autonomy (7). This defiance and resistance come out during many activities, including brushing teeth, leading to a power struggle with parents. Another reason for toddlers to resist tooth-brushing is that they find it boring. Adequate patience and tactics can help you brush your toddler’s teeth with less resistance.

How To Get A Toddler To Brush Their Teeth?

Here are some fun ways to get your toddler to brush their teeth.

  1. Sing a tune: A good way to get them to brush their teeth is by singing a fun song to go with the activity (8). Songs such as ‘Healthy Teeth, Healthy Me: Brushy Brush’ from Sesame Street or ‘This is the way we brush our teeth’ are wonderful, catchy songs that are sure to make your toddler groove to the tunes while brushing their teeth. The Internet is full of such fun songs and videos that you can try.
  1. Incentivize your toddler: Appropriate incentives given to children work as positive reinforcement. This method is routinely used to potty-train them or teach them to eat during meal times. You may use stickers to reward your toddler for brushing without resistance for a week. You may also make homemade cardboard medals that you reward with a lot of fanfare. These incentives keep your toddler constantly motivated to brush their teeth with enthusiasm.
  1. Involve your toddler: If your toddler is keen on brushing their teeth themselves, involve them in the act. Watch them brush their teeth and suggest how they can brush better. Many parents use two toothbrushes to brush their toddler’s teeth — one held by the toddler and one held by the parent. Toddlers cooperate when they are involved in brushing and tend to display less resistance.
  1. Brush with your toddler: Setting the right example is a great way to get the child to learn good habits. Brush your teeth along with your child and they will pick up the right technique and understand the importance of brushing their teeth twice a day. Once brushing twice a day becomes a part of your toddler’s daily routine, their resistance towards the activity will automatically reduce.
  1. Smile and make it a fun time: Brushing need not be boring and dreary. Keep up the fun quotient with ‘accidentally’ brushing your toddler’s nose with water or singing with a mouthful of toothpaste foam.
  1. Take the help of a dentist: It is normal for children not to listen to their parents but will take the word from an expert. Getting your child’s pediatric dentist to reinforce the importance of brushing could positively impact the toddler.
  1. Practice through play: Kids love to pretend to play, and this is a good way to teach them how and when to brush. Practicing to brush during playtimes when your toddler is receptive can help make brushing a part of their daily routine easily (8).
  1. Allow them to lead: Toddlers like their newfound independence and want to perform all activities. If they resist brushing by you but are keen on brushing themselves, give them the toothbrush and guide them on how to brush. However, supervise the amount of toothpaste that goes on their brush.
  1. You may avoid toothpaste initially: Some toddlers do not like the taste of toothpaste and might refuse to brush for this reason. If your little one does not take toothpaste well, brushing with plain water is good initially. However, you can slowly introduce a smear of toothpaste to get them used to it.
  1. Use a special toothbrush: Child-friendly toothbrushes come in different variants featuring movie characters, lights, cartoon characters, and other fun features. Buying special toothbrushes with their favorite character makes brushing attractive to them. It ultimately motivates the toddler to brush their teeth twice a day since they believe it is time to play with their favorite character.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What happens if toddlers don’t brush their teeth?

Toddlers who don’t brush their teeth are at risk of developing cavities due to plaque buildup. Further, bacteria that grow in the mouth could also affect the rest of the body, causing disease and inflammation (9).

2. When do toddlers learn to brush their teeth?

Toddlers generally don’t have the dexterity to brush their teeth independently until they are around six to seven years old. However, they can be encouraged to brush on their own from a young age, provided you supervise them well.

The first and foremost step on how to get a toddler to brush their teeth begins by choosing the right toothbrush and toothpaste. Next, understand the right brushing technique and brush their teeth gently with a pea-sized toothpaste. It is helpful to get your child enthusiastic about brushing their teeth. You could do this by singing a song, playing games, or brushing your teeth alongside them. You can also teach them the importance of brushing their teeth and taking it slow. If your child is hesitant, try to understand their inconvenience and work towards clearing that problem. If it helps, seek the help of a dentist to get your child excited about brushing.

Key Pointers

  • Follow simple steps, including choosing an age-appropriate brush, toothpaste, and brushing technique.
  • Toddlers usually resist brushing their teeth because they find the process boring.
  • Teach them along with you, involve them, and sing a tune to make them interested in brushing.

References

1. The Importance of Baby Teeth; University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital
2. Dina DiMaggio and Julie Cernigliaro, Baby’s First Tooth: 7 Facts Parents Should Know; American Academy of Pediatrics
3. Dental: Teeth and Gum Care for Infants and Toddlers; Nationwide Children’s
4. Brushing Baby Teeth: Handy Hints and How-Tos; NCT
5. Toothbrushing- Children; Better Health Channel
6. Taking Care of Your Child’s Smile; Journal of the American Dental Association
7. Jessica Brown, How to Cope with a Stubborn Toddler; Riley Children’s Health
8. Making Teeth Brushing Fun with 6 Easy Steps; Pathways
9. Parents: You May Not Start Brushing Your Child’s Teeth As Soon As You Should ― and Yes, It’s a Big Problem!; Cleveland Clinic
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Dr. Dur Afshar Agha
Dr. Dur Afshar AghaMS
Dr. Dur Afshar Agha is a consultant pediatrician with around 26 years of experience in various medical facilities both in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. She has headed the Department of Preventive Pediatrics at the prestigious, Children’s Hospital and Institute of Child Health in Pakistan and is a life member of the Pakistan Paediatric Association.

Read full bio of Dr. Dur Afshar Agha
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