How to make brushing teeth fun for everyone

Most adults know they're supposed to brush their teeth for two minutes at least twice a day. Getting kids and teens to understand and accept this can be tricky.

But if daily brushing is enjoyable, rewarding, or something to look forward to, it might help form it into a life-long healthy habit.

Is it possible to make brushing teeth fun? You bet! Find tips and ideas below.

Why making brushing fun is important

Brushing your teeth is something you need to do every day, twice a day. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), keeping up with this habit — specifically the twice-a-day frequency with two minutes a session — is crucial for keeping plaque off your teeth and preventing gum disease.

Since it takes up so much of your time (nearly a half-hour a week), making it fun can help kids form the habit early on and not dread or resist brushing their teeth.

Creative ways to make brushing teeth fun for kids

What does "fun" mean when it comes to brushing teeth and oral health? It's all about making the task enjoyable. There are a few ways to go about this:

• Turn brushing into a game

• Use interactive toothbrushes

• Get kid-friendly toothpaste flavors

• Incorporate fun songs or videos

Keep reading for detailed guidance on each idea.

Turn brushing into a game

You can try gamifying brushing — without making it too competitive or encouraging over-brushing. Set a timer or get a two-minute sand timer (aka hourglass) and challenge your kids to brush for the entire time.

Use interactive toothbrushes

You can get kids' toothbrushes with built-in timers that automatically turn off once two minutes are reached. And some (like quip's electric brushes for kids) buzz every 30 seconds so they know when to move to a new area of their mouth.

There are also light-up and musical toothbrushes for children, as well as options that "talk" to the brusher with encouragement and pointers on where to position the brush. One of our exciting options for kids is our glow-in-the-dark brush – perfect for making brushing fun.

Get kid-friendly toothpaste flavors

Tooth brushing should taste good — at least when you're a kid. Many children are turned off by the strong mint flavor of regular toothpaste, but they can get excited about toothpaste flavors like bubble fruit, watermelon, or color-changing formulas marketed to them. As long as it contains fluoride, you're golden. Check out our Watermelon Anticavity Toothpaste, the perfect flavor for kids.

Incorporate fun songs or videos

Lots of songs are right around two minutes long. Find one your child likes, and have it be their "teeth-brushing song." There are also countless videos online that sing along or guide kids through the recommended brushing time.

Encouraging teens to enjoy brushing their teeth

What about teenagers who've outgrown cute songs and fruity toothpaste flavors? You might consider:

• Tech-enabled toothbrushes for teens. Smart toothbrushes can be synced to a mobile app to track brushing habits and guide users to brush all areas of their teeth with the ideal movements and pressure.

• Reward systems and challenges. Whether with a brushing app or a chart you keep on the fridge, you can have your teen record each time they brush. If they keep up with twice-a-day brushing for, say, a month, you might reward them with a privilege or product they've been asking for.

Tips for adults to make brushing teeth more enjoyable

Oral hygiene should be enjoyable for adults, too. After all, your adult teeth are what you get for your whole life, so good brushing habits are key! But the same tricks for kids and teens may not work here. 

Try new flavors of toothpaste

You might think mint is mint is mint, but you'd be surprised how different toothpaste flavors can taste. Some are much stronger than others with an effervescent feel, while others are more mild. Liking the taste of toothpaste can go a long way in making you want to brush your teeth.

Use an electric toothbrush with unique features

Upgrading your traditional toothbrush to one with cool, helpful features – like timers or buzzers – might be all it takes to implement good dental hygiene habits. And who doesn’t like a toothbrush with a sleek design?

As noted, many electric toothbrushes have integrated timers, telling you how long to brush each mouth quadrant. Others have compatible mobile apps that track your brushing habits and offer real-time tips.

Creating a family routine for fun and effective brushing

With the right tools and encouragement, you can turn your family brushing ritual into a bonding activity while building life-long good oral hygiene habits. Good brushing habits are crucial to keeping your children's teeth healthy - and yours too! 

New toothbrushes are a great place to start. Explore our kids electric toothbrushes and powered toothbrushes for adults and teens. Turn a good habit into a fun activity for the whole family and create a brushing routine everyone can stick to with quip's oral hygiene products.

Sources:

American Dental Association (ADA). (2024). Home Oral Care.

Abe M, et al. (2022). High frequency and long duration of toothbrushing can potentially reduce the risk of common systemic diseases in late adolescence. Special care in dentistry: official publication of the American Association of Hospital Dentists, the Academy of Dentistry for the Handicapped, and the American Society for Geriatric Dentistry, 42(3), 317–318. doi.org/10.1111/scd.12670

American Dental Association (ADA). (2024). Healthy Habits: Babies and Kids.