8 ways to trick your kid into brushing their teeth

Let’s lay down the groundwork here because getting your kid psyched about teeth brushing is all about the prep. Are you ready to get started? Here are some short easy to follow tips to get your kid into brushing his teeth:

1. Hype brushing up

You should hype the experience up even when you are brushing your own teeth – your kids want to be just like you! Your toddler can put toothpaste on your toothbrush and you can go "ooh and ahh" as you brush while commenting on what a clean, minty, fresh feeling it is with a huge smile showing your pearly whites.

2. Kid is in control

Let your child choose the toothbrush and toothpaste. The marketing lure on kid products, especially when it comes to toothpaste and toothbrushes, will work to your advantage. With so many eye-catching designs, characters and flavours; your kid will have a gala time.

3. Show and tell

Make it fun by asking your kid to show his/her favourite toy how to brush. Then you can playfully do a voiceover of encouragement and make it seem like it is coming from the toy. To illustrate the point, Cookie Monster can say: "Me want to brush teeth but me no know how. Who will show Cookie?" Then you can start brushing your kids teeth in front of Cookie Monster as a demonstration and then urge your kid to brush the toy’s teeth after you are done.

4. Make believe

Turn the toothbrush on and go "Bzzzzzzz"… Make a buzzing noise as you brush, pretend that the toothbrush is electronic.

5. Fun names

Try calling it something else, something a little more interesting. Perhaps you could say: "Let’s get your teeth painted." Ask your kid what colour he/she wants on their teeth and pretend to paint each tooth as you brush.

6. Act cute

The toothbrush can be a character – "Bristley Spears", "Toothy Cutie" or anything creative you can come up with. Go ahead, talk in a funny voice and tell your kid that "Toothy Cutie" would love to take a tour inside his/her mouth.

7. Wishing paste

Call the toothpaste "magic wishing paste". He/she will get to make a wish when brushing is completed. Now they don’t have to wait till their birthdays to make a wish!

8. Game time

Have a tooth brush chart - tell your child that if they manage to not miss a single slot for the month they will get a treat! Explain that if they want to enjoy treats like ice-cream and sweets their teeth need to be in tip-top condition.

Written by

Felicia Chin

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