Case Study: How I Teach My 3 Year Old Daughter To Brush Her Teeth

Fun Fact: According to Highland Dental Group, approximately 75% of school children worldwide have active dental cavities. That means 3 out of 4 kids are already dealing with tooth decay!

Like any other parent, you knew this day would come. The time to teach your child to brush their teeth. You told yourself to do something about this problem, so you go around trying to gather all the information you could find online about helping your kid brush their teeth. (And you found this blog post!)

If you've found yourself in this situation, you're not alone. I've been there myself multiple times, struggling to teach my 3-year-old daughter how to brush her teeth independently. I still remember our nightly routine felt like an endless battle filled with yelling and nagging, but the toothbrush barely touched her teeth.

However, things started to change when I stumbled upon the valuable insights, experiences, and practical tips shared by other successful parents on the internet. From playful games to engaging stories, I've learn all the creative techniques that helped me transform toothbrushing into an enjoyable daily routine for my kid.

So, in this blog post, I want to share with you my experience of how I taught my 3-year-old daughter to brush her teeth in just 7 days. Hopefully, my story will inspire you and give you a guide on where to start getting your child involved with their brushing routine.

First Day: Make Brushing Teeth Fun And Personal

Fun Fact: According to White Pine Family Dental, cavities, also known as tooth decay, can indeed start in a baby's very first teeth, even as soon as they emerge. To make matters worse, tooth decay in baby teeth can also increase the risk of cavities in permanent teeth.

On my mission to teach my 3-year-old daughter to brush her teeth, I used to spend about 30 minutes every day reading online articles around topics related to helping kids brush their teeth.

I came across a similar article saying that you have to let your kid choose their toothbrush and toothpaste. (I can't find that article anymore). Supposedly, it claims that this approach will increase the likelihood of your kid brushing their teeth regularly because it gives them a sense of ownership and makes them more excited to brush.

Without a second thought, I started implementing a new plan that very afternoon. I got my 3-year-old daughter to go shopping together with me. I let her choose her favorite toothbrush (she wants a Peppa Pig toothbrush). I also got her a tube of toothpaste featuring the same character.

Is it worth the trip to the store and spending a few extra dollars on your kid's favorite toothbrush and toothpaste? It does. The trick worked like magic, before bedtime that night, I showed her the toothbrush we had bought at the store, and guess what? She ran into the bathroom and started brushing her teeth. (It was the first time in my life that I saw my daughter being excited about brushing her own teeth. I'm so proud of myself that day.)

Another Fun Fact I Learn: According to Delta Dental Plan of Arkansas, K-12 students miss 51 million school hours a year due to dental-related illnesses. That’s a lot of lost learning time for something that can often be prevented with good daily brushing habits!

Summary: On the first day, I learn that by letting my daughter choose her favorite tools to brush her teeth, I can transform brushing her teeth into something more fun and personal.

Photo: © Monkey Business Images via canva.com

Second Day: Use YouTube For Help

Fun Fact: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of children between the ages of 6 and 8 have at least one cavity in their baby teeth. And by the time they reach adolescence, aged 12 to 19, over half of them will have had a cavity in at least one of their permanent teeth.

Since I work from home, our morning routine usually starts around 9 AM. I was a bit disappointed that morning because my daughter was not being as excited as she had been the night before about brushing her teeth. She starts to fall into her bad habit again, and I have to spend about 5 minutes nagging her until she finally goes to the bathroom.

After that, I did more research and came across another successful story that suggested using YouTube videos to trick your kid into brushing their teeth. (Yup, there apparently a huge niche of making videos for kids to watch during brushing routine!) I was so surprised to find out that there are many educational videos for kids about brushing teeth on YouTube. I literally spent less than 20 seconds looking, and 3-4 videos already caught my attention that seemed perfect for my daughter to watch.

That night, before we went to bed, I showed my daughter a couple of videos I selected. It kinda works. She watched all of them and slowly dragged herself into the bathroom, and started brushing her teeth that night. The YouTube video talked about why brushing her teeth is important and how it helps keep her teeth healthy and strong.

Note: Integrating YouTube videos into your child's oral care routine can be a great idea. There are so many amazing videos out there that not only help motivate them to brush but also help them develop a better understanding of dental health.

Summary: Today, I learned to use YouTube as an extra source of motivation. I realized that by allowing my daughter to watch educational videos that discuss about the importance of brushing her teeth, not only can it teach, but it can also give her motivation to brush her teeth.

Photo: © Monkey Business Images via canva.com

Third Day: Reward Them With Something After Finish

Fun Fact: According to Medical Arts Dental, your kid laughs roughly 400 times a day, while the average adult woman smiles 62 times and the average man smiles only 8 times.

Morning is still the same for us, our 3-year-old just can’t seem to brush her teeth without my constant reminders. Every morning, it’s the same routine: me hovering by the bathroom door, toothbrush in hand, gently (and sometimes not so gently) reminding her to start brushing.

It’s not that she hates it, she just doesn’t seem motivated enough to do it on her own. (So just like the 2 days before, I start doing more research!) This time, I learned that rewarding a child for good behavior can encourage them to repeat the same habit.

Although this concept sounds very common sense, I just never thought of it. I quickly realized how much my daughter loves her iPad! (She would spend hours and hours on it, if of course, I allowed her.) I never allow her to play on her iPad for more than 2 hours a day, but I know I have to try this method out.

So that night, I took the iPad away from her and told her that if she went to brush her teeth, I would let her play on her iPad for 30 more minutes. Guess what, she starts rushing toward the bathroom and starts brushing her teeth!

Note from what I understand: According to the CDC, rewards can encourage good behaviors in young children. Positive reinforcement (giving a reward for good behavior) has been shown to help children learn faster and stay consistent.

So when my daughter receives a reward for completing a task, such as brushing her teeth, her brain will associate the action with something positive. This creates a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, making her more likely to repeat the behavior in the future.

Summary: On the third day, I learned that by rewarding my daughter with something she loves every time she finishes brushing her teeth, such as extra iPad time, I could almost guarantee that my 3-year-old will brush her teeth every time!

Photo: © Monkey Business Images via canva.com

The Rest Of The Week: Brush Together With Your Kid

Fun Fact: According to Barton Esthetic and Family Dentistry, 1 in 4 adults don’t brush their teeth twice a day. (This also increases their risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease by 33%!) If you’re part of that 25%, why not do it together with your kid?

From that point on, I feel like I finally found the magic switch button of my daughter. I don't have to nag her to brush her teeth anymore, which saves me a lot of time. All I have to do after we wake up and before her bedtime is to tell her that if she brushes her teeth, she can play on her iPad for 15 minutes.

From that point on, I feel like I finally found the magic switch button of my daughter. I no longer had to nag her to brush her teeth anymore, which saved me so much time and frustration. All I have to do after we wake up and before her bedtime is to tell her that if she brushes her teeth, she can play on her iPad for 15 minutes. (If not, then no more iPad)

But of course, being her parents, we don't want her to fall back into the same bad habit again. So I continue my research to find something that would help my daughter stick with this healthy habit without relying on her iPad.

I came across another article recommending that parents brush their teeth along with their kids. By doing this, children would be more motivated and enjoy the process of brushing their teeth even more.

I decided to try it that very night. We went to the bathroom and brushed our teeth together, and what surprised me was that my daughter seemed even more excited than usual. From that day on, I promised myself that no matter how busy I am, I would always brush my teeth together with her (If she wanted me to).

Note: Your kid are more likely to enjoy brushing their teeth when they see you doing it too. Also, by brushing your teeth together with your kid every day, you get more opportunities to show them the importance of brushing their teeth or even teach them how to do it properly. (And making sure they don't swallow the toothpaste!)

Summary: By days 5 and 6, my daughter was ready to take on brushing her teeth on her own. I also learned that by joining her, I could make the routine even more enjoyable and reinforce the healthy habit. Seeing me brush my teeth regularly made her more likely to do the same.

Photo: © Monkey Business Images via canva.com

Day Seven And Beyond: Be Patient With Your Kid

Everything seems to go well with my research. My daughter has started to maintain her daily brushing routine, and her teeth have started to look much better. I'm thrilled to see that my efforts are paying off, as I notice my 3-year-old daughter slowly forming a very healthy habit. (She no longer has to constantly think and worry about brushing her teeth, and I no longer have to nag her!)

Teaching our daughter how to brush her teeth in about seven days was a challenging but rewarding experience. However, one important lesson I learned throughout this process is that you really have to be patient with your kid.

As a parent, it's important to remember that every child is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. It takes some time for your child to learn how to brush their teeth properly, and so don't get frustrated if they don't get it right away. Eventually, they will learn to brush it the right way.

I hope that sharing my experience can provide some inspiration and guidance to you and other parents who may be struggling with this task. Remember, consistency and patience are key, and with a little bit of effort, you can help your child develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

If your kid still refuses to brush their teeth twice a day, here’s a painful truth you can share with them: Unlike a cut on the skin that can heal over time, teeth are the only part of the human body that can’t repair themselves. Once a cavity has started, only treatment by a dentist can keep it from remaining healthy.

Summary: By day seven, I had not only taught my 3-year-old daughter how to brush her teeth but also helped her establish a consistent, healthy routine. This journey taught me the importance of being patient and consistent with my kid. While the process can be challenging, I hope my insights will assist you in helping your kid develop a healthy habit that will last a lifetime.

Quick Takeaway

Tip From Day 1 - Make It Fun And Personal: Let your kid choose their favorite toothbrush and toothpaste for brushing can make the brushing routine more fun and enjoyable.

Tip From Day 2 - Use YouTube For Help: Let your kid watch educational YouTube videos that talk about why brushing their teeth is important and how it helps keep their teeth healthy can motivate them to brush even more.

Tip From Day 3 - Reward Them Something After Finish: I realized that by offering your kid a small reward after they finish brushing their teeth, you can motivate them and give them another reason to look forward to the routine.

Tip From The Rest Of The Week - Brush Together With Your Kid: I also found out that it is a good idea for you to go grab your toothbrush and join in with your kids. If your kids regularly see you brushing your teeth, they'll be more likely to brush their teeth as well.

Tip From Day Seven And Beyond - Be Patient With Your Kid: Every child is unique, some kids take longer to learn than others. So don't get frustrated if your kid doesn't learn it right away.

Frequently Asked Questions Relate To This Blog:

Question #1: What is the best way to brush your daughter's teeth?

Answer: The best way I’ve found to teach my 3-year-old daughter to brush her teeth is to make it fun and enjoyable. By doing things like letting my daughter choose her own toothbrush and toothpaste, I made the routine much more exciting for her.

Question #2: How long does your 3 year old brush her teeth?

Answer: I always make sure my daughter brushes her teeth for the recommended two minutes. I stand next to her to ensure she doesn't swallow the toothpaste, and I also use a timer on my phone to help her keep track of the time.

Question #3: What kind of toothbrush and toothpaste should children use?

Answer: According to Children's Dental Health, children who are still in the early stages of getting used to brushing their teeth (around 3-5 years old) should use a kid-sized toothbrush with soft-bristle. Most dentists also recommend that kids use toothpaste specifically made for them, not adult toothpaste.

Question #4: How can I make brushing fun for my child?

Answer: Everyone is unique, including your child, so it's your job to discover what makes them excited to brush their teeth. You can try out fun activities such as letting them listen to a 2-minute song instead of just a boring timer, or brushing your teeth together with your kid.

Disclaimer

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your dentist to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.

Again, the content on Ecopify.com is for informational purposes only. Content is neither intended to nor does it establish a standard of care or the official policy and is not a substitute for professional judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Ecopify is not responsible for information on external websites linked to this website.