Is brushing time a daily battle with your little one?
Do you find yourself bribing, begging, or even bargaining just to get that toothbrush near their mouth?

You’re not alone and you’re not out of options either.

Let’s turn that twice-a-day battle into a bonding moment (with fewer tantrums and a lot more bubbles). 

Here Are 5 Fun, Parent-tested Hacks to Make Brushing Less Of a Chore And More Of a Cheer!

1. Let Them Pick Their Superhero (or Dino) Toothbrush

Let’s be honest.. half the fun is in the gear.
Would your child rather brush with a plain white stick or a Spider-Man toothbrush that lights up?

Let your kid choose their toothbrush and toothpaste (yes, even if it’s bubblegum-flavored). Ownership builds excitement. Suddenly, brushing becomes their thing, not just another task you assign.

Pro tip: Involve them in shopping. Let them pick from 2-3 dentist-approved options. It’s like handing them a tiny bit of power and trust us, they’ll run with it!

2. Turn It Into a 2-Minute Dance Party 

Toothbrush in one hand, dance moves in the other.

Play a two-minute song your child loves and make a brushing party! Wiggle, spin, hop — just keep brushing! There are even free apps that play music and show brushing animations for kids.

Imagine brushing up on the Baby Shark or Bluey theme song suddenly, it’s not just brushing, it’s a full-on concert! What was once a daily struggle becomes a moment of fun, laughter, and music. By turning brushing time into a playful sing-along with characters your child already adores, you create a positive routine they’ll actually look forward to. Whether it’s dancing to Baby Shark or humming along with Bluey, the goal is simple: happy brushing, every time.

3. Use a Brushing Chart (With a Reward Twist) 

Kids love ticking boxes. Especially if those ticks lead to a little reward!

Create a simple weekly brushing chart. Add morning and night checkboxes for each day. If they check off both boxes all week? Reward time!

It doesn’t have to be big. Think:

• Extra bedtime story
• 10 more minutes of playtime
• A sticker they can add to a “Brushing Star” badge

Note: Just don’t make it candy, we’re brushing to avoid that stuff, remember?

4. Storytime Brushing: Make a Cavity the Villain! 

Why not turn brushing into an adventure?

Tell your child their teeth are a kingdom and plaque is the enemy. The toothbrush is the sword, and fluoride toothpaste is the magic potion.

“Here comes the Cavity Monster! Quick, we need to scrub him off before he builds a sugar castle!”

You’ll be surprised how invested your child becomes when they’re the hero of their own oral hygiene story.

5. Brush Together (Yes, You Too!) 

Monkey see, monkey do. If your child sees you brushing your teeth regularly and enjoying it  they’ll want to copy you.

Turn it into a mirror game:
“Can you make circles like me?”
“Who can brush their tongue first?”
“Let’s count how many teeth we can clean in 10 seconds!”

It becomes a shared routine instead of a solo battle. Bonus: It keeps you consistent too.

Final Thoughts: Turn Stress Into Smiles

The goal isn’t perfect brushing every time. It’s building a habit — and making sure your child feels good about doing it. Give one or two of these tips a try this week. Mix and match until you find what works for your kid’s personality. Before you know it, brushing won’t be a daily fight… it’ll be a dance, a story, or a silly game. And hey, you might even start looking forward to it too.

At the heart of building positive brushing habits is the support of a dental team that understands kids not just their teeth, but their fears, habits, and little quirks. At Gentle & Caring Dentistry, we specialize in creating warm, friendly dental experiences that make children (and parents!) feel right at home. From preventive care to patient education, we’re here to make every smile stronger with a gentle touch that truly cares.