Different / exciting rewards for 4yo other than sticker chart

[Newyorkersos]

Looking for ideas to instil a better teeth brushing routine for my 4yo just starting school. He brushes every night after bath but in the mornings often forgets to go back upstairs after breakfast and I struggle to get him to do it without forcing him as by then he's engaged in playing or itching to go outside. Ideally I'd like him to want to go and do it by himself / proactively if possible, and not make it a negative thing!

We've used sticker chart in the past but I feel like he gets bored of the idea easily and it won't engage him.

Any ideas or tips? Thank you

Probably not the advice you're looking for, but I do all the getting ready stuff downstairs in the morning. So DS1 has a routine of having his breakfast, going to the toilet, getting dressed (clothes are on the sofa) and then brushing his teeth (toothbrush at the table). He knows if he gets it all done promptly he has more time for playing, and I can chivvy him along if he gets distracted.

Get him to brush before breakfast. Apparently it's better for the teeth, and also it means he won't get waylaid playing.

Ok yes that makes sense! I can load up the toothbrush ready just before he runs out of the door.

You can get jars that need to be filled in order to get a reward. Could be marbles, stars etc. Little bit more exciting than a chart

Surely it can't be better?

Google it. It's to do with the acid and enamel. If he must brush after breakfast, he needs to wait at least 30 mins.

My dentist said brushing before eating is better for teeth because when you eat it releases acid so if you brush your teeth afterwards it brushes the acid in to your teeth! He said if you want to brush teeth after eating you should leave it 30 mins! Xx

@Forgottenmyphone snap!

As I understand it, if you brush straight after, you're just brushing the Nutella/Cheerio/milk sugars or bacteria straight into your enamel.

If he has a treat he is looking forward to you could print out a large picture of it and he could colour one part each day until completed. Maybe stick on bathroom door. Or a line of little toothbrushes to be coloured with the treat picture at the end.
At that age he will need the constant reminding and supervision

I think the NHS guidance is children should be supervised for toothbrushing until they're 7/8 years old, so you have to be standing over them while they're doing it and potentially re-doing bits they've missed anyway?

We stayed with DD for quite a long time to check her brushing technique. Otherwise it was a case of just biting on the brush.

How about a visible task chart? Put down the order how you want things done and he ticks it off each day, so making breakfast, getting dressed, brushing teeth, getting his bag, putting on shoes etc.

I preferred this to a chart with any form of reward.

More hygienic for toothbrushes to be kept in the kitchen unless ofcourse you are posh and have a separate toilet.

Breakfast, listen to him read then teeth brushed afterwards or do it before he eats. I wouldn't have any going back upstairs at all. Once you are toileted and dressed you stay down stairs.

Yes, it is better.

Also Ideally I'd like him to want to go and do it by himself / proactively if possible is just not realistic at 4. It's your job to supervise at this age I'm afraid!