As parents, you already know that getting kids to brush their teeth twice a day can feel like a never-ending battle. In 2025, however, there’s good news—thanks to innovative tools, interactive technology, and a fresh approach to dental habits, keeping your child’s smile healthy doesn’t have to be a chore. At Parkside Village Dental, we believe oral health is an adventure worth enjoying, especially for our youngest patients. Here are some creative, kid-approved ways to make brushing fun this year.
1.Turn Brushing into a Game with Smart Toothbrushes
The newest generation of smart toothbrushes takes gamification to a whole new level. These devices connect to an app and transform brushing into a fun challenge—kids can earn points, unlock characters, and track their progress over time. Many even offer augmented reality (AR) experiences, where animated friends “fight” the cavity monsters right on your screen while your child brushes along. Not only does this encourage better technique, but it also motivates kids to brush for the recommended two minutes.
Pro Tip: Let your child choose their own smart toothbrush design and app theme—they’ll feel a sense of ownership and excitement.
2.Create a Brushing Playlist for 2025 Hits
Music makes everything better, including toothbrushing. Instead of relying on a timer, play a two-minute brushing song your child loves. In 2025, streaming platforms even have curated “Brush Time” playlists for kids, featuring popular songs edited to exactly two minutes. This turns brushing into a dance party, helping the time fly by while ensuring they brush long enough.
Extra Fun: Change the playlist every month so your child has something new to look forward to.
3.Sticker Charts and Surprise Rewards
Sometimes, the simplest methods still work wonders. Create a brushing sticker chart for your child to track their daily brushing streak. For every week of consistent brushing, offer a small prize—a new book, a fun outing, or their favorite snack (preferably a tooth-friendly one!). In 2025, you can even find digital reward charts that send encouraging messages or animated confetti when goals are met.
Tip from Parkside Village Dental: Keep rewards consistent but small, so the focus stays on building healthy habits.
4.Brushing Story Time Adventures
Kids love stories, so why not weave brushing into a nightly adventure? Create a fun character—like “Captain Sparkle” or “The Cavity Crusher”—who needs your child’s help defeating sugar bugs each night. Each brushing session becomes another chapter in the story. This not only keeps kids engaged but also makes brushing feel purposeful.
You can also find children’s books and audiobooks in 2025 that incorporate toothbrushing into the plot, making it easy to pair story time with oral care.
5.Let Them Brush Your Teeth First
Role reversal is surprisingly effective with young kids. Before you brush their teeth, hand them a safe toothbrush and let them “brush” yours. It gives them a sense of control and teaches them the process in a playful way. You can also let them brush a favorite stuffed animal’s “teeth” first, then move on to their own.
Bonus: This method often leads to giggles, which makes brushing feel more like fun than a chore.
6.Use Glow-in-the-Dark Toothpaste or Brushes
In 2025, kids’ dental products come in exciting options—glow-in-the-dark toothbrushes, color-changing toothpaste, and even toothpaste that sparkles under a blacklight. The novelty factor can make a big difference, especially for reluctant brushers. Just make sure the toothpaste is fluoride-based and approved by dental professionals.
Parkside Village Dental Tip: Let your child choose their own brush and toothpaste color every few months to keep things fresh.
7.Family Brushing Time
Kids mimic what they see. When the whole family brushes together, it reinforces the habit and shows that it’s a normal part of daily life. Make it a group activity—set a timer, dance along to music, and brush side-by-side. This also gives you the chance to model proper brushing technique for your child.
8.Celebrate Dental Milestones
Celebrate the little wins. Did your child brush every day for a whole month? Did they get a thumbs-up at their dental checkup? Celebrate these milestones with verbal praise, a high-five, or a fun family activity. Positive reinforcement goes a long way toward building lifelong habits.
The Parkside Village Dental Difference
At Parkside Village Dental, we know that early dental habits set the stage for a lifetime of healthy smiles. That’s why we take the time to make dental visits fun and engaging for children. From gentle, kid-friendly care to tips you can use at home, our goal is to make oral health something your child looks forward to—not dreads.
If you’re ready to make brushing fun and effective for your little one, schedule their next checkup with us today. Together, we can keep their smile bright, healthy, and cavity-free—one fun brushing session at a time.