Toothbrushing can be a source of frustration for both parents and kids. From screaming and crying, to delayed bedtimes, many parents come to me feeling defeated and searching for tips on how to make the process more smooth for everyone. Over the last 15 year, I've compiled a list of 14 of my favorite toothbrushing tips for kids to help make toothbrushing less of a battle for parents and I am sharing them with you.
Toothbrushing Tips for Babies:
Expose them to the toothbrush and let them explore it independently in their mouths, such as Dr. Brown's Infant-to-Toddler Toothbrush, Elephant.
You can also start brushing their teeth with the FridaBaby SmileFrida The Finger Toothbrush. The goal is to gently expose them to this new experience over time to build up their comfort levels.
Toothbrushing Tips for Toddlers and Beyond:
Use a toothbrushing song while they are brushing their teeth, such as Raffi’s Brush Your Teeth.
Read books on toothbrushing, such as Daniel Tiger Let’s Brush our Teeth.
Watch videos on toothbrushing like Danny Go’s The Toothbrushing Song.
Let them choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste. My daughter likes the Colgate Bluey toothbrush and Orajel Natural Berry toothpaste.
Let them brush your teeth and praise them for helping.
Play the At the Dentist game on the Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood website.
Take turns brushing their teeth for a set duration, e.g. “You brush 5 times, then I can brush 5 times.”
Move toothbrushing earlier if they are tired.
Use a toy to explore toothbrushing, such as Melissa and Doug’s Super Smile Dentist play set. My daughter loved this toy and it helped prepare her for her dentist visit.
Use a visual schedule to increase motivation.
Also if your child is really struggling it’s may be related oral sensitivities, or oral defensiveness. You can consult with a speech pathologist, pediatric occupational therapist, or pediatric dentist to learn strategies to support them with toothbrushing. Local South Bay experts, Casey Masalehdani and Dr. Elite Mekel DMD provided some quick tips on oral defensiveness below:
Casey Masalehdani, Speech Pathologist, and owner of Explore Speech Co.:
"Some children are more sensitive to toothhbrushing due to oral defensiveness that may stem from restrictive tethered oral tissues, such as a lip tie making it painful to brush the front teeth and/or the presence of enlarged tonsils which can contribute to hypersensitive gag reflex. Helping to get the child desensitized to the toothbrush by using a smaller toothbrush, or a toothette can help. Some children may require oral motor therapy with an SLP, or OT to help resolve these issues."
Dr. Elite Mekel DMD, Board Certified Pediatric Dentist, and owner of Pacific Coast Pediatric Dentistry: "There are three-sided toothbrushes to help those that struggle brushing for very long or at all. And I recommend trying electric toothbrushes. They help remove the plaque and build up a little easier that manual brushes."
Please feel free to book a parent coaching session to explore these toothbrushing strategies in more detail, or to prepare for a future dentist visit.
Book a parent coaching session here.
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