How to brush your toddler’s teeth – and tips for when they refuse
Every parent knows that a toddler’s favourite word is no.
Sometimes our tamariki can drive us mad with their refusal to do anything we ask, and it’s tempting to give in to their demands.
But while they may not like it, your toddler’s teeth need to be brushed. We’ve put together some helpful tips to get their buy-in, and hopefully avoid the daily tooth-brushing tantrum.
Looking for advice about your baby’s first teeth or teething more generally? Go back to our teething babies resource guide.
General tips for brushing a toddler’s teeth
Use a small-headed, soft-bristled toothbrush. This will better fit in their mouth, and it will be gentle on their developing teeth and gums.
Brush their pearly whites twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed.
Use the smallest smear of fluoride-containing toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. As your child gets older, gains more teeth and becomes better at spitting, you can increase this amount to the size of a pea.
Gently brush in back and forth, vibrating motions for two minutes.
But, this article isn’t just about toddlers generally – it’s about toddler tantrums.
Let’s say every time the toothbrush comes anywhere close to your toddler’s mouth, you’re facing an almighty battle. They just hate brushing their teeth! What can you do differently?
Learn more: “Oral health in a teething baby”
How to avoid the toddler teeth brushing tantrum
If you’re struggling with daily teeth-brushing challenges, you may need to employ some new strategies. Try some of the tips below to deal with a toddler who refuses. With any luck, brushing may even become a fun time for you and your toddler instead of the current power struggle.
Choosing a toothpaste
While traditional minty fresh toothpaste is great for adults, some children may not be fans of the burning or spicy taste. There are a range of children’s toothpastes on the market that offer milder flavours for tiny palates.
Just make sure you choose one that contains at least 1000ppm fluoride, as per guidelines from the Ministry of Health.
Choosing a toothbrush
Getting your toddler’s buy-in on the whole process is key. Sometimes a step as simple as getting them to choose their favourite coloured toothbrush can put a positive spin on their whole experience.
Make the trip of going to select a toothbrush fun – there are lots of cool styles to choose from, from Peppa Pig to dinosaurs, Minions or the Wiggles.
Stick to routine
Children often do better when they know what to expect. Creating a daily routine that includes tooth brushing at the beginning and end of each day can give them a sense of normalcy.
Brush your teeth at the same time
Lots of kids want to be just like mum or dad, so watching you brush your own teeth might encourage them to want theirs brushed too.
While it’s important that you do the heavy lifting brushing their teeth while they’re young, there’s no reason why they can’t imitate you to get used to the feeling of having the toothbrush in their mouth and in their hand.
Brush teddy or dolly’s teeth too
Just like your toddler wants to be like you, they may want their favourite toys to be like them too. Many a parent has cooked a delicious meal, only to watch half of it be ‘fed’ to Mr Bear.
Giving your toddler a second toothbrush and getting them to brush their favourite toy’s teeth at the same time you’re brushing theirs can create a great distraction. And again, it helps to familiarise them with the idea of teeth brushing.
Have a special song
Kids love music. Try having a special song that is only sung when your toddler lets you brush their teeth.
The American Dental Association has released a Tooth Brushing Songs Playlist filled with family-friendly songs to brush by, or you could choose a song you know your child loves to be your special tooth brushing song
These tunes are all close to the magic two-minute mark and will make the time fly by. Time left at the end? Boogie down with your toddler!
“1234” – Feist (Sesame Street Version)
“This is the Way We Brush Our Teeth” – Little Baby Bum
“We Gotta be Clean” – Guster
“You’ve Got a Friend in Me” – Randy Newman
“Kids Just Love to Brush” – Sesame Street
“Respect” – Aretha Franklin
Watch a video about brushing teeth
Here is the good news: you are not the first parent to struggle with brushing an unruly toddler’s teeth. Lots of parents have been there before and many will be here after you.
The battles of toothbrush resistant children vs. their stressed-out parents have been going on around the world for eons. That means that these days there are plenty of great resources out there to assist you to get past this challenging stage.
A quick Google search will bring up hundreds of fun videos, specifically for children, all about brushing their teeth. From catchy Sesame Street videos to songs with The Wiggles where you all ‘spit together!’, there are tonnes of options that you and your toddler can look through together.
Read a book about brushing teeth
For parents who have toddlers that love to read, a new book about teeth brushing might be the best approach. Fortunately, just like there are plenty of videos, there’s also a great range of dental focused books available for tiny tots.
Books like the pop-up favourites, Brush Your Teeth Please, and Sesame Street’s Ready, Set, Brush give your child the opportunity to brush the teeth of characters within the book. Rookie Toddler’s Brush Brush Brush! is another popular option.
Break out the sticker chart
If your child is driven by affirmation and rewards, a sticker chart could be a great way to nudge them towards a more positive relationship with teeth brushing.
Use teamwork
If you have another adult that can help, try working together to clean your toddler’s teeth. One can act as a distraction, entertaining your tot and playing with them, while the other focuses on the brushing.
This method works best with younger toddlers.
Make it fun
You know your child best – so consider what they will find the most fun to make the experience enjoyable for you both.
Try any of the suggestions above or find your own little games that the two of you can play as you brush their teeth.
Perhaps you can count all their teeth as you brush, or use silly voices and tell silly stories, or even have a dance party at the end of every successful tooth brushing session.
What do I do if my child still refuses?
Persevere.
It’s so important to give kids a solid introduction to the importance of good oral hygiene. Establishing a tooth brushing routine will set them up for life.
We know how frustrating a refusing toddler can be, but try not to get intimidated by it. Remember – it will get easier as they get older.
Worried about your toddler’s teeth? Talk to us today
If you live around the Whangarei area, we’re here to help you and your tamariki.
Kowhai Dental has plenty of experience helping young children and offers a range of payment plans and options.
To find a solution that works for you and your whānau, call us on 09 430 0707 or book online today.