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.

They like getting to choose their own toothpaste, so sometimes they might choose something with a character on it where as other times they like aquafresh due to its three coloured stripes.
If they are very unwilling to brush their teeth then I tell them that their teeth will become brown, rot, be very painful and fall out. This has proved very effective and my 6yo never forgets to brush her teeth now.

It's just part of our routine and a must do. Rarely have any tantrums about it but no swaying from this one, teeth must be cleaned! I brush for both of my kids but then let them brush themselves too so they feel grown up.

I tell them we just have to do it or their teeth will go black and mouldy. We sometimes watch something on YouTube. Today they laid on my bed and I leaned over their heads while we brushed, they thought it was so funny being upside down!

My son is doing the aqua dress app at the minute it has really helped

No negotiation here, part of the routine and they have no choice.

My first would do anything for a little bit of praise so I sing his praise and remind him of next dentist appointment where he could show off his nice white teeth. My youngest however I still pin down every moring and night to brush his teeth. He is only two right now, so I'm hoping he will grow out of it soon.

Inpretend to find things in dd(2)’s teeth. It starts off with things that she has eaten that day and then moves on to the ridiculous ‘goodness me, if that a boat? What is that duck doing at the back? Quick let’s get it out. How did daddy get in there?’
She is usually too busy giggling to protest.

I had nightmares with Dd, especially. In the end, I literally sat on her! I laid her on the floor and sat astride her and pinned her arms down with my knee's as it was the only way I could get near her and then I played 'let's get the tooth bugs' . She's now almost 12 and brushes them but, not properly imo so, I'm still nagging her and checking them and telling her how much she'll regret not caring.

Ds is all grown up now and I feel thoroughly ashamed that he's let his teeth get into a dreadful state. His beautifully white and straight teeth :(

We started toothbrushing when the DC were still babies and didn't have teeth so it became the norm. Along the way we've had some moaning and complaining but it's non negotiable, I've even, on occasion, flashed my copious metal fillings at them! That soon gets them brushing

It's not a choice in this house. Getting them to stay still whilst doing it is another matter. Tonight involved a discussion about fillings and why they don't want one (and therefore why it is important to brush properly).

We have competitions as to who can say aaaah louder, or quieter, or do a better lion's roar etc - anything to get them to open their mouths!

Lots of shouting hand waving cajoling nagging, occasional threat & scolding them for trying to turn toothbrushing time into a combat sport (yes, really! why, I don't know, drives me crazy).

By telling them the truth! No teeth brushing equals rotten teeth and stinky breath.

Ive always encouraged teeth brushing before teeth appeared, I made sure they saw me brush so we brushed together, now as they are older i let them choose their own brushes and toothpaste.

My ds loves using the egg timer and electric toothbrush, it's always been non negotiable but these things make it more fun and hopefully more effective.

We've made it part of our routine since the kids were little, so not too many dramas. I did pick up a fab tip from a specialist dentist working with children with learning difficulties when one of mine was being a bit resistant and brushing was becoming a physical battle. Divide the mouth into four quarters. Each time you brush, aim to fully clean only one of the quarters. If you can manage more so much the better, but by focusing on just one corner per episode of brushing, the entire mouth has had a thorough clean within a couple of days, rather than a few half hearted, traumatic attempts at doing the full mouth, without achieving much in terms of a good clean

I tell them that their teeth have to last them until they are old. I explain that their teeth will be pearly white if they brush otherwise they will be black and fall out...I explained that germs are eating their teeth and damage them unless we brush them properly

@BristolMum96 @Occtynoccty get a kids electric tooth brush, they do say age 3+ but they're soft bristled and only about £3 from boots
We always do "say ahhhh" with our tongue out and mouth wide and DS copies so we can get in and he'll let us brush.

Part of bedtime and morning routine. She brushes first, then I go in for a quick 'inspection' with lots of positive praise etc. She has a little step stool so that she can see what she is doing in the mirror She has regular visits to the dentist so we speak about how impressed she and the tooth fairy will be with her teeth. Now she is old enough to use Aquafresh mouthwash and a little electric toothbrush too she feels like such a big girl!

Always been part of bedtime routine for them. Encouraged with special toothbrushes - now they do their own with electric brushes. I still check they have done a proper job and stress the importance of healthy teeth. Sometimes they will apply a full face of make up, yet have not brushed their teeth however!!!

Scream, shout, cajole....I did use an app, with games, and a toothbrush attachment called Playbrush, when they were younger, which worked for a while.

2 toothbrushes, one for her to hold and 'brush' with, then whilst her mouth is open I sneak in and generally have the chance to give them a really thorough brush! Works every time. Biggest problem for my daughter is choosing which of the brushes she wants to use 😂

Its often done during story time as a distraction. My son is also into dinosaurs so sometimes we see who can roar tge loudest & at the same time I clean his teeth.

My 1.5 year old lets me help to brush his teeth, as long as he gets to help with brushing Ewan the Dream Sheep's "teeth" after ☺️

I pin my DS down and just do it. He understands that it’s non negotiable and is going to happen regardless, so there’s no point making a fuss. Seems mean but he’ll thank me when he’s grown up and has decent teeth.