6 Ways to turn Toothbrushing battles into fun!

Every parent knows the twice daily struggle all too well… “how do I get my kid to brush their teeth?!” And when the dentist follows-up by asking how regularly your kids are flossing, it likely feels like you’ve totally lost the battle.

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But I promise you, you’re not alone! With 1 in 3 Aussie kids developing tooth decay before they start school, regular and effective oral hygiene is more important than ever. It’s just not always that easy, with research by Ordo showing that the main reason kids don’t want to brush their teeth is because they find it unfun and boring… making it extra frustrating and challenging for parents who understand why it is so important.

But what if we could address the boredom? What if toothbrushing time didn’t have to be a battle? What if we could find a way to make it fun instead?! 

Here are my favourite tried-and-tested strategies that take the challenges out of toothbrushing, and make it fun! 

1. The power of choice

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Kids love to feel like they’re in control, so while toothbrushing itself isn’t a choice, give them options that empower them. Try setting up a mini “tooth shop” with a bunch of different of toothbrushes, toothpastes, and flossers for them to choose from. Also let them choose where to brush. That could be in the bath, sitting on the couch or lying on their bed. Same job, different location, but suddenly, they feel like they’re in control.

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2. Use an electric toothbrush

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Not all children like using electric toothbrushes, but if they do, they can be a great motivator, especially when they’re super fun and colourful like the Ordo Squishmallow Electric Toothbrushes. A bigger handle makes it easier for their little hands, and can also be used in negotiations “you can brush with the manual toothbrush, or mum/dad can brush your teeth with the electric toothbrush first, and then you can have a turn”. Electric toothbrushes are also much more effective at removing plaque than manual toothbrushes so it wins all round!

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3. Make it musical

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Music makes everything better and that includes toothbrushing too! Turn your bathroom into a little dance party (you could even add a disco ball to your bathroom) to make toothbrushing time one the family looks forward to. You can pick a favourite track, come up with your own fun or silly songs, or brush along to my Two-Minute Toothbrushing Song that also works like a two-minute timer.

4. Take turns

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So often our little humans don’t see us brushing our teeth – we brush after they’re at daycare or school; or when they’re already in bed at night. To quote my favourite movie, “we’re all in this together” when it comes to brushing. Model brushing alongside them, and let them have a turn brushing your teeth! It surprises most families, but parents should be doing most of the brushing for their child until age 6, and assisting with brushing until age 9. Brushing requires a lot of fine motor skills to do effectively, especially around the back molars and along the gumlines, but offering help can often be met with lots of resistance. So have a lie down on the couch and let them brush your teeth, and then swap places.

 

5. Turn brushing time into play time

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Imagination can be your secret weapon. Try going on an imaginary safari to hunt for animals hiding behind molars or beside their tongue. Try to find a dinosaur starting with every letter of the alphabet, but each tooth is one of the dinosaurs. Pretend the toothbrush is a superhero blasting away the sugar monsters! When you turn brushing into a story, kids stop focusing on the “boring chore”, get caught up in the fun and actually look forward to it!

6. Add books into the mix

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Sometimes a little distraction goes a long way. Try reading a story like my new book,The Mystery of Gemma Germ’s Stinky Poos, that empowers children to want to brush their teeth. Or your child likes lying down while brushing (my favourite position to recommend to parents), let them hold a book for them to look at while you brush (and floss!)

Toothbrushing won’t be fun or easy every day, but persistence is key. My “teeth cleaning challenge chart” is designed to be a visual reminder to keep brushing front of mind. Watching progress build-up on the chart feels exciting for kids, and gives them a real sense of achievement. Celebrate the days when brushing time is a success and don’t fret about the ones when it simply isn’t going to happen. And before you know it, toothbrushing time might actually become the highlight of your day!