How Long Should Kids Brush Their Teeth?
Whether you’re five years old of fifty-five years old, kids and adults should be brushing their teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste for two minutes.1 Learn why this recommendation exists, as well as some other tips for parents and caregivers who are helping kids care for their teeth.
Key Takeaways
- Brush for Two Minutes, Twice a Day: Both kids and adults should brush with fluoride toothpaste for two full minutes in the morning and evening to reduce plaque and maintain good oral health.
- Make Brushing Fun and Routine: Encourage kids to enjoy brushing by using timers, music, or games—and be consistent by making it part of their daily routine alongside other tasks like getting dressed.
- Support with the Right Tools: Use child-friendly toothpaste like Pronamel Kids and involve older siblings or caregivers to model good habits and help kids brush effectively.
Brush Teeth Twice a Day
Unlike many other daily activities, the amount of time that should be spent brushing teeth is one of the things that adults and kids share in common. The American Dental Association recommends brushing for two minutes twice a day for adults and children.1
How Long to Brush Teeth: Two Minutes
- The ADA’s recommendation for a two-minute toothbrushing duration is rooted in the fact that brushing for two minutes is associated with a greater reduction in plaque than brushing for only one minute.1 For parents or caregivers who help children brush their teeth, there are lots of resources for helping kids to stay focused on brushing for the entire two minutes:1
- Physical timers
- Music videos
- Smartphone applications
There are even toothbrushes with built-in timers to help kids brush for two minutes!1
How Can Adults Encourage Kids to Brush Their Teeth?
The most common source of support for children who need help brushing their teeth is extended family members and caregivers.2 Older siblings are often recruited as role models and some caregivers may even appeal to their child’s adoration of favorite characters or heroes, saying that a superhero would take the time to brush their teeth in between saving people.2
Caregivers who make brushing twice a day part of a normal routine are likely to have success with getting their children to follow suit – they simply understand that brushing is one of several tasks that must get done in the morning and evening, like getting dressed and combing your hair.2 Consistency is important, as is starting this routine at a young age.
Another way that parents and caregivers can encourage children to regularly brush their teeth is to make it fun for them! One study around oral health habits of young children found that kids who are more in control of brushing their teeth are more likely to cooperate.2 Turn brushing their teeth into a game so that the experience is positive, rather than something they must be forced to do. Your pediatric dentist may have some suggestions for how to accomplish this.
Good Oral Health Habits for Kids
If you’re looking to make oral health part of your child’s routine, it’s important to instill good habits. For a healthy mouth and smile for you and your children, follow these tips from the American Dental Association:1,3
- Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits your mouth
- Replace your toothbrush every few months, or when the bristles look frayed
- Brush with a fluoride toothpaste
- Limit sugary snacks and beverages
- Gently clean between teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food particles
- See a dentist regularly for professional cleanings and prevention or treatment of oral diseases
Choosing a Kids’ Toothpaste?
Make tooth brushing a habit that kids and adults can do together by using Pronamel toothpastes.
Pronamel is the #1 dentist-recommended toothpaste for protecting and strengthening enamel. Pronamel Kids Bubble Twist toothpaste helps protect against cavities and acid erosion and has a mild mint flavor. Parents and caregivers can feel good about brushing their kids’ teeth with Pronamel Kids toothpastes; they were designed by dentists and formulated for children.
Adults can reach for their own toothpaste, like Pronamel Clinical Enamel Strength Deep Clean toothpaste. Not only does it actively strengthen acid-softened tooth enamel surfaces, it helps to protect teeth for life with twice daily brushing.
Make brushing something that adults and kids do together, twice a day for two minutes each time. And when you both reach for your Pronamel toothpastes, it might feel like less of a chore and more like something kids — and adults — want to do.
Source Citations:
- Home Oral Care. American Dental Association. https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/home-care. Accessed 5/8/2025.
- Behavioral Determinants of Brushing Young Children's Teeth: Implications for Anticipatory Guidance. Journal of Pediatric Dentistry. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2939855/. Accessed 5/8/2025.
- Brushing Your Teeth. American Dental Association. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/brushing-your-teeth. Accessed 5/8/2025.
