As a mom, I’m always looking for ways to make my life easier. One of the most frustrating things about having a toddler is getting them to brush their teeth every day! But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with an easy tip that your little one will love.
So, your toddler will not brush their teeth? Well, it can be hard to get them to want to do anything. Did you know dentists recommend that kids brush for a full TWO MINUTES?
Sounds simple enough… until you factor in the kid part. It’s hard to get a toddler to focus on anything for two minutes, especially brushing their teeth.
How often should kids brush their teeth?
The dentist recommends that children brush their pearly whites twice a day with toothpaste containing fluoride.
How can I get my toddler to brush their teeth?
My daughter has always been really good about brushing her teeth. We’ve focused on making it fun from the very beginning but it’s the “2 minute” part that gets her.
But here is an easy way that you might find success. Brush their teeth with them! This way they are seeing the action and doing it themselves too.
At one point I even resorted to allowing HER to brush MY teeth for two minutes. Horrifying right? I was jabbed more times than I can count, but she had no problem brushing my teeth for the full two minutes.
You could also try singing a song while brushing or having a timer go off so they know when it’s time to rinse and spit out the toothpaste.
What are some other idea for getting kids to brush their teeth?
- Give your child a toothbrush with their favorite character on the handle
- Let your toddler brush his or her teeth while watching TV
- Brush your teeth together to make it more fun for them
- Use stickers and other rewards to motivate them to brush their teeth every day
- Offer a reward at the end of each week if they’ve brushed their teeth without being reminded
- Have a designated place in the bathroom where they can keep all of their supplies so they don’t forget anything when brushing their teeth, like toothpaste, mouthwash, floss, etc..
- Let your toddler brush your teeth until he or she gets the hang of it. The more comfortable they become with brushing their own teeth, the more likely they will be to do it on their own.
Hopefully these tips help you get your toddler on board with taking care of their teeth early in life. Happy brushing!
That app is neat! I think having a fun toothbrush is definitely a great way to get kids to brush more!
My toddler loves I mean loves brushing his teeth. I really think the picture with you and your child is so adorable. SO SO cute.
I like that counter. I sing to my kids so they know how tong to brush their teeth. I need that super hero toothpaste, it’s so cute.