How to get your kids to brush without the battle: Ask a dental expert

[MaddyMumsnet]

Beat the challenge of getting your kids to brush their teeth.
Ask our dental expert about good oral health habits and what you can do to help your kids enjoy keeping their teeth healthy and at the same time reduce your stress! Are you struggling to get your child to brush their teeth? Worried about cavities and visits to the dentist? Too many sugary treats? Perhaps your child has physical or sensory challenges which make it difficult to brush? Our dental health expert is here to answer your burning questions and help you find long lasting routines that fit seamlessly into your family life.

About the expert
James Goolnik BDS MSc, a dentist with a passion for nutrition. James is the Founder of the Optimal Dental Health in London and a member of The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, and fully SMART certified. James was previously President of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentists and is now head judge of the Private Dentistry Awards and lectures internationally on the mouth body connection. James has twice been voted the most influential person in dentistry in the UK. He is currently studying for a diploma in functional nutrition with The Institute of Optimal Nutritionists and his mission is to help the UK get healthier starting with their mouths! James is married with three children.

Peppersmith is offering an exclusive 20% off for Mumsnet users. Click here to get 20% off Peppersmith’s website or phone 020 8788 2080 quoting MUMS20. Offer is valid until 31st August 2025

• Everyone who shares a question on the thread below by 18/6/25 will be entered into a prize draw
• One lucky Mumsnet user will win a £200 voucher for a store of their choice
• James will be back on the week of the 1/7/25 to answer some of your questions

Here’s what the Peppersmith® team has to say:
We’re on a mission to educate parents and kids about the benefits of healthy teeth and how to keep them healthy. That’s why our naturally delicious mints and pastilles are sugar-free, made with 100% plant based sweetener, xylitol (no aspartame here!) and are seriously good for kids, as well as parents and mums-to-be. Studies have shown that xylitol can help reduce and reverse cavities in children and regular chewing of xylitol gum during pregnancy and early motherhood reduces cavity causing bacteria transmission to children. As well as looking after teeth, we like to look after the planet. We use FSC-certified cardboard for our boxes and recyclable PPE for our pouches. Peppersmith is available on our website Peppersmith.co.uk and at Ocado, Sainsburys Local, Holland & Barrett, WHSmith Travel and Starbucks.

Hi @prawncocktailcrispss Ideally all toothpaste should be spat out after using as it has a topical effect, no extra benefit from swallowing it. Using a small pea sized amount and gently encouraging spitting over time is the best approach. If they are using fluoride toothpaste, swallowing too much fluoride regularly over time can increase the risk of fluorosis, a condition that can cause faint white lines or spots on the adult teeth as they develop under the gums. This is mostly a cosmetic issue, not harmful to health, but it’s something to be aware of.

Hi @lillypopdaisyduke The average toothbrush should last you three months, if the bristles are waring down quicker, you are either brushing too aggressively or your chewing your toothbrush. You need the bristles to move the sludge-like plaque bacteria from teeth. With use, bristles splay and won't do the job. If you put too much pressure on while brushing, that wears out brushes faster. Perhaps bring it in to your dentist or hygienist at your next appointment so they can look at their technique.

Hi @TheGirlWhoLived For a child aged 3 to 5 who still tends to swallow toothpaste, it's best to use just a smear, about the size of a grain of rice, especially if the toothpaste contains fluoride. This small amount is enough to effectively clean their teeth while minimising the risk of swallowing too much fluoride. I would suggest fluoride-free toothpaste moving forward, which can be a safer option while working on breaking the swallowing habit, which usually sorted by aged 6.

Hi @WorriedMamma2 A slight overlap of baby teeth is not usually a concern on its own. Keep up with regular dental checkups, encourage good oral habits, and consider an orthodontic screening around age 7. Early awareness gives you the best chance of avoiding full braces, harnessing their growth or at least simplifying future treatment.

Hi @bellse I would suggest the Peppersmith pastilles which contain Xylitol. Xylitol helps reduce cavity-causing bacteria by neutralising mouth acids and increasing saliva flow, which supports remineralisation of tooth enamel. you can choose from Lemon or Strawberry flavour whichever is your child's favourite.

Hi @Plumedenom The back teeth can be tricky to reach for some. A dental hygienist can show your children how to reach the back teeth using a demo brush to help them improve their brushing, Back molars can often trap larger food particles, so making sure to reach these areas is very important. There are advanced dental treatments such as Curadont Repair that can be used in some cases, which can help if you have spotted early caries. Remember tooth decay is 100% due to diet so I would suggest you try a food diary and discuss it with your dental care professional.

Hi @Gunnersforthecup Sorry to hear all your daughter's issues. Enamel can’t fully regenerate however it can re-mineralise in the right conditions. Good oral hygiene, nose breathing and diet. Avoid lemon or any citrus fruits as they are acidic. If she is having anything acid please neutralize with water, a meal or sugar free chewing gum. Regular dental check-ups are important, especially if molars are sealed, as dentists can monitor for hidden decay.

For the future, restorative treatments may be needed, but the goal is to preserve as much natural tooth as possible. In terms of your pregnancy, it is hard to say, we now try and avoid antibiotics as much as possible.

Hi @prawncocktailcrispss When bacteria absorb xylitol, they cannot digest it, which slows their growth and reduces acid production. Over time, regular xylitol exposure can lead to a drop in the number of harmful bacteria in the mouth, preventing cavities or further decay.

Hi @pushchairprincess Supervised interdental flossing sticks are fine. These are much easier to use and are not designed with sharp, pointy handles. As soon as your children have teeth that touch, I recommend starting them on their flossing journey at least by the age of 6. A hygienist can recommend the best sizes for them to use, or show them how to floss with floss string if they feel confident enough.

Hi @Snowdropsandsquirrels I would recommend speaking with a dentist, who may assess how much damage is occurring and whether monitoring or early protection is needed. Try and get a morning appointment so they can monitor their jaw muscles just after sleep. Some dentists might suggest a custom-made soft night guard if the grinding is especially aggressive, though this is typically done with caution in younger children. A calming bedtime routine, limiting screen time before bed, and ensuring good sleep hygiene can help reduce bruxism.

Hi @Coolwaterscoolcool By aged 13 they have most of their adult teeth, except their wisdom teeth, that start comimg through around aged 17. It's a good idea to consult a dentist or orthodontist. Delays can be caused by a few things, including genetics, impacted teeth, missing permanent teeth a condition called hypodontia, or issues with jaw development. A simple X-ray can show whether the adult teeth are present and just delayed, or if they’re missing or blocked.

Hi @moretea Yes, at Optimal Dental Health, we will always look for the most minimally invasive treatment plan before extractions. We look to retain healthy teeth as possible. When the child is still growing can look at jaw expansion or slight stripping between the teeth rather than extractions. I would recommend booking with an orthodontist who takes the same approach.

Hi @Britanniaa Xylitol mints are a safe, plant-based alternative to sugar. A couple of mints a day after meals can prove beneficial for washing away food debris and increasing saliva flow, keeping the mouth and gums clean and a neutral PH balance. A healthy balanced diet is always the cornerstone of a healthy mouth.

Hi @ohdannyboy I would not recommend mouthwash for children or adults. Sticking with brushing twice a day and flossing inbetween their teeth proves the most beneficial. Mouthwash can disrupt the natural balance of the mouth and isn’t necessary if teeth are cleaned thoroughly.

Hi @HobNobAddict The recommended time for brushing teeth should be 2 minutes, any longer can actually cause more harm than good, especially if they are brushing too hard. Comforting children with wobbly teeth can be tricky, I would suggest telling them it’s completely normal to feel nervous, and reassure them that the wobbly tooth means they’re growing up and that the new, stronger tooth needs a clean space to come through. Start introducing raw vegetables like carrots to encourage the baby teeth to fall out. Do not forget to talk about the tooth fairy to build excitement!

Hi @RoundRedRobin Congratulations on the teenager's teeth! There are lots of influencer videos that have little scientific basis. Leaving toothpaste sitting on the teeth for several minutes doesn’t make them whiter and could actually irritate the gums or cause sensitivity, especially if it’s a whitening toothpaste. The most evidence based routine is brushing twice a day for two minutes followed by flossing. Spitting toothpaste out and not swallowing it. Overbrushing for that extended period of time is more likely to harm the gums, causing further issues moving forward.

Hi @Ilostmyhalo Milk can be a great alternative to water but not after brushing I would avoid anything acidic. Avoid sweetened drinks, as these usually contain artificial additives which can heighten acid levels in the mouth. Cucumber slices in water may be a refreshing option for them to try in the summer. Or try warm water instead of milk after brushing

Like the idea of cucumber in cool water - thank you

My child 4 has good oral hygiene we brush twice a day and he rinses with a salt wash once a day after dinner. He needed a tooth removed damaged from a fall and the surgeon said he was high risk of Carries? We have never been told this at the dentist and he has seen 4 dentists in his life. They always says his teeth are perfect.
His diet is great lota of fresh feuita and veggies. Water only. He has juice with a meal twice a week and only 50mls. No sweets ever. His snacks are a mix of savory and veggies / fruits and nuts. He has his multivitamin. So I am flabbergasted why he is at risk of carriers.

My question is why are some children at risk even with fantastic oral hygiene and diet?

I've filmed a short video on kid's toothpaste, and what to do if they don't like mint! You can check it out below:

For those of us who are wondering about sugary snacks and alternatives, I've filmed this short answer:

And for the many of us facing brushing battles, because our kids don't enjoy brushing their teeth - I've filmed some of my suggestions:

I'm not sure if it's too late to ask a question.

Any advice on bruxism? Treatment of the actual grinding but also course of action for damaged teeth too.