Getting kids excited about brushing their teeth isn’t always easy.
Some kids happily grab their toothbrush twice a day. Others suddenly have a hundred more important things to do the moment you mention brushing.
That’s normal.
The goal isn’t to make every brushing session perfect. It’s to help children build simple habits they can eventually manage on their own: brushing, flossing and understanding why taking care of their teeth matters.
And the earlier those habits become part of everyday life, the easier they are to carry forward.
Here are five ways parents can help.
1. Make Brushing and Flossing Fun
A toothbrush doesn’t have to be boring.
Let your child choose a toothbrush in a favorite color or with a character they like. Depending on their age, giving them some say in choosing an appropriate toothpaste can help too.
A two-minute timer, favorite song or brushing game can turn something that feels like a chore into part of the daily routine.
Some kids respond really well to that.
Others couldn’t care less about a singing toothbrush, and that’s okay. Find whatever makes brushing easier in your house and stick with it.
The important part is making good oral hygiene something familiar rather than something children dread twice a day.
2. Let Them See You Doing It
Kids pay attention to what we do. If they regularly see you brushing and flossing your own teeth, dental care starts to look like a normal part of taking care of yourself rather than another rule adults invented just for kids.
Try brushing together, especially while they’re young.
You can demonstrate how to gently brush along the teeth and gumline, reach the back teeth and spend enough time cleaning instead of racing through the job.
And don’t worry if younger children aren’t ready to handle everything themselves yet. Independence comes gradually. Parents should continue helping or supervising until a child has developed the dexterity and consistency to brush effectively on their own.
3. Build a Routine They Can Count On
Consistency matters more than making oral hygiene complicated.
Children should brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, including before bed. Cleaning between the teeth should also become part of the routine once neighboring teeth begin touching.
Try connecting brushing to things your child already does every day.
Breakfast. Brush teeth.
Pajamas. Brush teeth. Story. Bed.
The fewer negotiations involved, the better.
Some children may also benefit from a mouth rinse, but it isn’t necessary for every child and shouldn’t replace brushing or flossing. If you’re wondering whether one would be helpful, ask your child’s dentist.
Regular dental exams and professional cleanings belong in the routine too. They give us a chance to monitor your child’s teeth as they grow, identify problems early and reinforce the same healthy habits you’re teaching at home.
4. Explain Why, In a Way They Understand
“Because I said so” may get the toothbrush into their hand tonight.
It doesn’t necessarily teach them why they’ll want to keep brushing years from now.
You don’t need to give a five-year-old a lesson on gum disease. Keep the explanation appropriate for their age.
We brush away the sticky stuff that can hurt our teeth.
Floss gets into spaces our toothbrush can’t reach.
The dentist helps us make sure our teeth are growing and staying healthy.
That’s enough.
Books, games and pretend dental visits can help younger children understand what happens at the dentist before they’re the one sitting in the chair. Let your child play dentist with a stuffed animal. Count its teeth. Practice opening wide.
Dental care becomes a lot less mysterious when kids know what to expect.
5. Reward the Habit, Not a Perfect Performance
Positive reinforcement can go a long way when you’re trying to establish a new routine.
A sticker chart works well for some children. Others might be more motivated by choosing the bedtime story, getting a little extra playtime or picking the family movie.
Keep rewards simple.
The idea isn’t to negotiate a prize every time your child touches a toothbrush. It’s to recognize consistency while the habit is developing.
Eventually, brushing twice a day shouldn’t feel like an accomplishment.
It should just feel normal.
Healthy Habits Start at Home & We Can Help
There will probably be nights when your child brushes beautifully for two full minutes.
There will also be nights when getting a toothbrush anywhere near their mouth feels like an achievement.
Keep going. What matters most is the routine you’re building over time.
At Shorewood Family Dental Care, we work with parents to help children become comfortable taking care of their teeth and visiting the dentist. Our goal is bigger than getting through one cleaning or preventing one cavity. We want kids to understand that caring for their teeth is simply part of caring for themselves.
If you’re looking for a kids dentist near Crest Hill, IL, our Shorewood dental team welcomes families from Crest Hill, Joliet, Plainfield, Minooka and surrounding communities.
Schedule your child’s next dental exam and cleaning and let us help you build healthy habits that can last a lifetime.
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Originally published February 20, 2025. Updated September 3, 2026.
