Mumsnet users share with Aquafresh how they get their children to brush their teeth

[EllieMumsnet]

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Regular tooth brushing can be a particular pain point for many parents, as often trying to persuade a wriggling, protesting child to open their mouth for this twice daily ritual is no small task. However there are lots ways to make it easier, and Aquafresh would love to know how you get your children to brush their teeth.

Aquafresh has this to say: “Here at Aquafresh, we know that brush time can be a challenge. That’s why we have Captain Aquafresh, the Nurdles and our brush time app to make your tooth brushing routines more fun! But we’d love to know, what are your brush time tips?”

So how can it be made easier? Do you employ a softly softly approach, waiting to spring with a ready-loaded toothbrush? Perhaps you bribe with an extra story at bedtime, or does your child actually listen to a logical, fact-based explanation of why it's good to brush? Maybe you’ve found that letting them pick out their favourite toothbrush and toothpaste help get them excited about brushing their teeth?

However you do it, share with Aquafresh how you get your children to brush their teeth and you could be in with the chance of winning a voucher worth £300 for the store of your choice (from a list).*

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

If you need to contact GSK to report a product quality issue, adverse event, have a question, request or complaint about a product, please email GSK at [email protected], call on 0800 783 8881 or contact GSK via the form located [https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/contact-us/ here]].

*All UK Mumsnet users aged 18+. Open 5/11/18 to 19/11/18. To enter please post on the thread below. One entry per person. One prize to be won: £300 voucher of winner’s choice (from a list). Winner chosen by random draw performed by computer process. Further Insight T&Cs at this link.

Its never been a problem, children like to copy adults they just come in the bathroom with us and get their own toothpaste and toothbrush and off they go : D

Having different flavours and coloured toothpaste and also letting them pick there own toothbrush when we need to get new ones.

My daughter is 13 months old and loves brushing her teeth! We do it together and she loves copying me!

I have a 6yo and a 2yo. The older one has had the odd tantrum over having them brushed but we used to say he could do it then mum/dad check, or we could do it all. If he refused we would sort of do it anyway even if it meant forcing (gently) - we'd sit him on our lap like having a cuddle, put one of his arms behind us, hold the other arm with one arm and with the other free arm we would brush his teeth. We read lots of books about teeth brushing and he watched us do it ourselves and eventually the arguments over it became less and less. Now he's older and he is totally fine with cleaning them - also helps that the tooth fairy only pays out for clean teeth

The smaller child copies him in almost everything so if she sees him brushing nicely, she does too.

My daughter was easy and loved brushing her teeth but my son was a different story at first it was a battle. I took a step back and thought about how to make it better, we went to the shop just to buy nothing else other than a new brush and paste, he could choose. I made such a big deal and lots of praise and high fives. We told all our friends and family about this new amazing brush he bought and got him excited. He was reluctant at first when it came to brushing his teeth but i let him open the box, put the paste on (with help) and we sang a fun song (totally made up on the spot) about brushing teeth. Luckily this worked and as long as I give him the independence to do his teeth under my watch then he is happy to brush away phew :D

An easy one. Fortunately my little one likes the fresh minty taste of toothpaste and is used to the routine of brushing after dinner. I rarely need to encourage her

It is always a struggle getting kids to brush their teeth but I found that just being honest and telling them what happens to their teeth if they don't look after them is the best option. I even showed mine videos and pictures on the internet to show them how their teeth would rot if they didn't look after them properly.

Has never been an issue with DD she is obsessed with her personal hygeine. DS has ASD and not too bothered about cleanliness, teeth cleaning is a major issue, so now he doesn't get to go out with his friends unless he brushed his teeth when asked. If he brushes every night as well without complaint he gets 50p, seems to work well at the moment, we have gone from battles, to minor grumbles.

They don't need convincing. It is a non-negotiable

Our DC old enough now to be looking for girlfriends / boyfriends. Teeth brushed any time they are going out, no problem. Currently going through 1 tube toothpaste per week each despite reminders pea sized blob is enough. Let's not even think about deodorant costs!

Constant reminders and threats of decayed teeth falling out (which the tooth fairy does not stop to pick up!)

tell them their teeth will fall out if they dont brush

We try to make things fun

I do it in the bath for my 13 month old. He's got all his front teeth and 5 back teeth so they need doing! He usually squeels with delight in the bath so the louder he squeels the easier it is for me to brush his teeth with his wide open mouth

He dazzled me with his pearly white smile after we’ve finished, but only if it’s been done well enough! I then can’t see properly so walk into cupboards, mistake teddy for DS, and indulge in other hilarity-inducing errors. This has been going on for years!

I kept the teeth cleaning things in the kitchen as I found saying "go upstairs and clean your teeth" made them whinge but having it in the kitchen so they didn't have to go up worked wonders. I just had to remember to hide them under the sink when MIL came round as she disapproved!

As part of a routine! Along with us, we all do everything in the same order and I always brush my teeth at the same time as them.
The youngest also has her pink toothbrush that tells her how long to brush for, she loves it, only because it's pink 😂
But getting her to open her mouth for the dentist is another matter!

Start them early, let them copy off you by joining them when they brush, they`ll soon get the hang of it.

Quite simply, just do it with them. Children learn by imitation

Bribery, pure and simple. DS is 5, hates brushing his teeth. If he does it without a fuss then he gets a star. Still, lots of coercion required!

I use the disney magic timer app usually but also the aquafresh brush time app. She enjoys unlocking the new characters and dances on the aquafresh one and the pictures on the disney one so we never have a problem

Just make sure they start using a toothbrush when they are babies and they get used to it! I let mine play with a baby toothbrush so didn’t have any trouble when I came to brush them

Ive been really lucky my youngest is super when it comes to brushing her teeth. Shes 5 and we have brushed since before she had teeth. I usually brush them for her first then she has a go . In fact our dentist passed comment at our last check up on how nice her teeth were. My older two weren't as keen on brushing , we had to make a game of it and have reward charts

They always try and get out of it but it's just a simple no no. They know they aren't going to bed, no story, no treats in the morning if they don't, and do it properly.

By just making it part of the normal morning/evening routine.