6 Challenges To Make Brushing Teeth Fun For Kids

When we were kids, going to the dentist didn’t usually rank high on our list of favorite activities. For me, it was somewhere between eating anchovies and going to bed.

As we got older, though, those early dentist visits started to pay huge dividends. From instilling good oral hygiene habits to catching potential problems early, we likely owe much of our beaming, bright smiles now to those early years.

What I learned (too late, probably!) was that those dentist visits were a lot more tolerable when I got good feedback from the dentist.

What led to that encouragement?

Regularly brushing my teeth.

As a former kid, I recognize the struggles parents have in getting their kids to make the connection between going to the dentist and a healthy future. So today, I wanted to take a different tact: come up with challenges to make brushing teeth fun!

Below you’ll find six fun and creative ways to inspire healthy brushing habits in our kids, as well as a few tips on how to reward them for their efforts along the way.

As a parent, you may have experienced a range of reactions from your kids when it comes to regular teeth-brushing, from outright resistance to begrudging acceptance.

When it comes to fighting through that stubbornness, it can help to have a reminder of just how important oral hygiene is from an early age.

1. Prevent cavities - Establishing good oral hygiene habits at an early age can help prevent cavities, which can lead to pain and discomfort, as well as more serious dental problems down the line.
   
   
2. Build healthy habits - Developing a routine of brushing and flossing every day will serve kids well throughout their lives.
   
   
3. Promote good overall health - Good oral hygiene habits are not just important for dental health, but can also help promote good overall health, as poor oral health has been linked to a range of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections.
   
   
4. Save money - Preventing cavities and other dental problems can help save money in the long run by reducing the need for costly dental treatments and procedures.
   
   
5. Boost confidence - Good oral hygiene habits can help children feel more confident and comfortable in social situations, knowing that they have fresh breath and a healthy smile.
   
   
6. Establish a positive relationship with the dentist - Regular visits to the dentist from an early age can help children establish a positive relationship with dental care and reduce any anxiety or fear they may have about going to the dentist. We’ve also got some tips on making trips to the dentist more fun.

We know how hard it can be for kids to want to go to the dentist, which is why we made it a part of our challenge medals pack for Early Achievers. It features five great challenges for kids – including going to the dentist or doctor – with an physical medal so your kids can proudly display their achievement! 

Set a timer for 2 minutes and challenge your kids to brush their teeth for the entire duration. 

This helps them develop the habit of brushing for the recommended amount of time. Encourage them to choose their favorite song and brush to the beat to make it fun.

Create a bingo board with different tooth-related tasks (e.g., flossing, using mouthwash, brushing for 2 minutes). Each time your child completes a task, they get to mark it off the bingo board. When they get a row or column, they earn a special prize, like a dinner of their choice.

Make sure to switch up the bingo card so they have to keep up with all the tasks (and it never hurts us adults to play along, too!).

Create a calendar with a space for each day of the month and encourage your child to brush their teeth twice a day and floss once a day. 

Each time they complete this routine, they get to add a sticker to their calendar. If they fill up the whole calendar, they earn a special prize, like deciding which movie your family sees in theaters next (just be sure to go easy on the sugary candy!).

Teach your kids about the benefits of fluoride, one of toothpaste’s most important ingredients, by doing a fun experiment. 

Soak one egg in water and another in fluoride toothpaste overnight. The next day, compare the two eggs and show your kids how the fluoride toothpaste helped protect the eggshell from decay. 

This helps your kids understand how fluoride can strengthen their teeth and prevent cavities.

Show your kids how mouthwash works by doing this second experiment. 

Add a few drops of food coloring to a cup of water and have your child rinse their mouth with it. Then, have them rinse with mouthwash and spit it out into another cup. 

The mouthwash should turn a different color, showing how it removes bacteria and plaque from their mouth.

Encourage your kids to make healthy food choices that promote good oral health. 

Challenge them to choose one snack each day that is good for their teeth, such as carrot sticks or apple slices. 

If they successfully complete the challenge for a week, they get to choose a fun family activity, like a bike ride or a trip to the park. While brushing and flossing can help protect our teeth, this challenge helps your kids develop an overall approach to oral health.