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How to Help Kids Who Don’t Brush Their Teeth

Healthy teeth are important at every age, but getting kids on board with proper dental hygiene can be tricky. Many parents and caregivers might ask themselves how to help kids who don’t brush their teeth and how to ensure a lifetime of healthy smiles for their little ones. Here are a few tips to encourage kids to adopt healthy habits from a young age and some ideas for helping kids that don’t brush their teeth.

Key Takeaways

Start early and stay consistent: Teaching kids to brush their teeth from a young age helps build lifelong oral hygiene habits and helps prevent issues like cavities and decay.¹
Make brushing fun and engaging: Use music, apps, or playful songs to turn toothbrushing into a positive, two-minute activity kids can look forward to.³
Motivate with rewards and praise: Simple reward systems—like sticker charts or high-fives—can encourage consistency and make kids feel proud of their progress.³

The Importance of Brushing as a Kid

Teaching your little ones to brush properly from a young age is important.¹ Learning how to brush as a child is a skill we carry throughout our lives.¹ In general, kids should be able to brush their teeth twice daily and independently by age eleven, but it’s never too early to teach them proper oral hygiene.1 In addition, the earlier they take an active role in their oral health, the better.¹

Why Your Child Won’t Brush Their Teeth

For some children, sensory issues might be a roadblock when it comes to brushing their teeth.⁴ Toothbrushing creates multiple sensations at once, including taste, sound, smell and more, which can feel overwhelming for kids and cause them to avoid it.⁴

How to Get Your Kids to Brush Their Teeth

Kids that won’t brush their teeth may need a little encouragement. Make brushing time fun and rewarding with these tips and tricks for getting kids to prioritize oral health.

Address Sensory Issues

If your child refuses to brush their teeth due to sensory issues, focus on making the experience more comfortable for them.4 Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush, try different flavors of toothpaste, manage the temperature of the tap water they’re using (some children dislike cold water) and add a bathroom mat if the floor is too cold.⁴

Create a Routine

Children thrive when they have a set, daily routine.² Let your child know that brushing their teeth is not optional and that it needs to be done before they go to bed and at least one other time during the day.2 Remember to be encouraging, as praise gets results!²

Add Music

Instead of setting a timer for two minutes, try playing one of your child’s favorite songs and encouraging them to brush along to the beat.3 Any upbeat song they enjoy will work.³ Music videos are another fun option, with apps like YouTube having a variety of fun kids’ brushing tunes, from Sesame Street to songs from the American Dental Association.³

Try a Brushing App

Make brushing fun by using an app to help your child brush their teeth. Catchy songs and points might be all the motivation your little one needs to make sure their teeth are clean and to feel like brushing isn’t a chore.³

Create a Reward System

Offering your child small rewards can help motivate them to brush their teeth regularly. Whether it’s stickers or a trip to their favorite museum, a tiny treat might be just what the dentist ordered. Consider their favorite things and what’s appropriate for their age group when brainstorming rewards. If they’re building up to a larger prize, create a reward chart that gets them closer to their goal when they brush. Rewards don’t need to be flashy—a high-five or a hug can go a long way toward motivating your little one.

Recruit Their Toys for Demonstration

Playing with toys is an important part of your child’s development.⁵ It combines fun with learning and can be a useful tool for teaching how to brush.⁵ Show your child how to brush their teeth by first demonstrating on one of their toys. Alternately, allow your child to brush their toy’s teeth first to make sure they’re properly cleaned before moving on to their own teeth. This can help your child build confidence in their skills and allow the parents to adjust their technique.

Create a Story

Pair brushing time with a tooth-based tale to keep your kid’s attention throughout their two minutes.³ For example, maybe they’re a superhero who vanquishes evil by brushing away cavities and giving the world a healthier smile.³ Get creative and involve your child in creating the characters and lore.³

Let Them Choose Their Toothbrush and Toothpaste

Whether it’s a toothbrush featuring their favorite cartoon character or toothpaste with a fun flavor, kids enjoy brushing more when they like their dental health products.³ Try Pronamel Kids Berry Twist toothpaste for an anticavity toothpaste in a tasty, natural flavor.

Brush Together

Take two minutes in the morning and before bed to brush alongside your child. Children learn from their parents, so modeling healthy behaviors like brushing twice daily gives them the tools they need to succeed in the future.³ It also rewards their brushing efforts with family time and prioritizes dental health for your whole family.³

If toothbrushing is a challenge for your child, know that you have options. From trying a new toothpaste to praising your little one for practicing healthy habits, there’s a lot you can do to help kids that don’t brush their teeth. For more information on oral hygiene for kids and adults, visit the Pronamel blog.

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