This last week, my little guy who is only 3, started complaining that he had a toothache. I asked him to show me what was hurting and low and behold he pointed to a big fat cavity on one of his molars. The poor guy didn’t sleep that night but we got him into the dentist first thing in the morning (his first time) to find out he actually had 3… possibly 7 cavities. Oi!! Wasn’t ready to hear that. I thought we did a decent job of brushing but apparently not as good as we thought (super bummer!) It’s going to cost a pretty penny to get everything fixed, but in the meantime I told the hubby that we CANNOT forget to make sure our kids are brushing at least twice a day.
It was only fitting then that the next day I was shipped a new toothbrush to review and test out from ARM & HAMMER™. This is what it looks like:
{Can you tell someone was excited to try out their new toothbrush?}
It’s the NEW ARM™ & Hammer Tooth Tune™s featuring One Direction, which are the only toothbrushes that play One Direction in North America. Pretty sweet, right? My kids (and especially my oldest girl – go figure) are obsessed with “What Makes You Beautiful”. Lily and Gav may have fought over the brush for a bit, but then I found out that the Tooth Tunes™ also play these other songs:
o “Dynamite” performed by Taio Cruz
o “I Gotta!Feeling” performed by Black Eyed Peas
o “We Will Rock You” performed by Queen
+ 4 Other Popular Tunes!!
My son LOVES “Dynamite” and “I Gotta Feeling” so he let sister have this toothbrush so he could get one of these other Tooth Tunes™.
What’s great about these brushes is that each one features 2 minutes of music encouraging kids to brush longer (I think I may need one myself so I brush longer too, lol!)
As I thought about how this brush encourages longer brushing and after looking up some tips online for better brushing, I wanted to share with some of my favorite ideas on Tooth brushing Tips for Toddlers.
TOOTH BRUSHING TIPS FOR TODDLERS:
1. GET THEM A FUN TOOTHBRUSH – It makes them more excited to brush, and you usually need that kind of excitement to help them want to do it more. Also remember, that a child’s tooth brush should be replaced every 3 months or so and that they should start out using a toothbrush with a small head that can easily fit in their mouth.
2. ACTUALLY DO IT – Create the habit now so that your child will learn and know the importance of brushing at least twice a day. That means you (as the parent) are in charge of making sure it happens. If you help them create this habit while they’re young, they’re more likely to be in the habit of brushing as a teenager and adult.
3. TEACH THEM THE RIGHT WAY TO BRUSH – If you teach your child how to brush their teeth correctly (for two minutes and with the correct toothpaste), you will teach them the best preventative care they can receive as a young child. If your child sees you actually brushing and flossing your own teeth, they will also be more excited to do it themselves, and to do it the right way. Just remember, that most dentists recommend a fluoride toothpaste. 
So, having said all of that, I want to know what tips YOU have for toddler tooth brushing.
{Tooth Tunes can be found at most mass, drug and food retailers nationwide.}
{For more information please visit ARM & HAMMER™‘s Site HERE or their Facebook Page HERE.}
ENJOY!
DISCLOSURE: I am part of the Mom It Forward blogger network. Mom It Forward and ARM & HAMMER™ Tooth Tunes™ partnered inn support of this campaign. ARM & HAMMER™ Tooth Tunes™ compensated me for participation in this campaign. All opinion are my own.
My 2 year old just fell and hit his front tooth and deadened (word?) it. Now it’s slightly grey but nothing too noticeable. However, this makes brushing all the time, every day super important because the dead tooth is now very susceptible to infection. That toothbrush is the coolest! I’m definitely getting one for him.. He’ll love it
Thanks!
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Another tip that I think is important is start brushing before your children have teeth. There are several “toothbrushes” designed for infants. This stimulates the gums, soothes teething pain, a helps them get used to you being in their mouth. Keep in mind, they will fight you at some point, don’t back down. The fight is worth never seeing them in pain. Also, NEVER, put them to bed with a bottle or sippy cup unless it’s water as well as nothing to eat or drink after brushing. If I sound like a know it all, it’s because I’ve been a Dental Assistant for 15 years. I know my teeth, lol. I’m also a mother, I have a 5 and 7 year old who, as of Friday, are still cavity free.
Great idea! I never thought to use a musical toothbrush for clean, fun entertainment with happy-mom results. (I have an almost- two year old.) Thanks! And GREAT post! (:
I’m a dental hygienist, so these topics are dear to my heart. I have a three-year-old and a one-year-old, and they both love to brush their teeth. Seriously, I say “let’s go brush our teeth” and the one year old RUNS to the bathroom. I’ve always tried to make it fun by singing a song and making funny noises (saying “ahhh” with them to get them to open their mouths). They both like to “brush” their teeth themselves, but they both know that mom or dad will also be brushing their teeth. If they are fighting it, which they do occasionally, I will make it a little quicker than normal, but they still get their teeth brushed. And that’s the important part is that they know their teeth will be brushed no matter what. Drinking juice and continuous snacking are the main reasons so many toddlers develop cavities, so limiting those things are helpful too. But milk has sugar in it too. If it’s not mealtime, it’s best to be drinking water.
I agree, start brushing at or before the first sign of their first tooth. I wish i had done that with my now 2.75 year old and i definitely will with my 3 month old. It took a LONG time to get my older daughter used to having her teeth brushed. We would even pin her down and brush them while she screamed if it came to that. It’s just too important to skip it. Also, while toddlers will want to do it themselves they just don’t have the coordination to do it properly so we let her do it herself but we always “finish” it for her. I would let her brush while i slowly counted “1-2-3, Mommy’s Turn!!” It was a struggle for a long time but now she is easy and even asks for it if we forget. She often asks to have her teeth brushed at naptime too.