• Badges
  • Sep 30, 2026

Spruce Fact: Did you know that brushing with fluoride toothpaste every morning and every night is one of the best ways to prevent cavities? (1)

Spruce Tip: Explore what makes brushing fun for your child! Try a favorite toothbrush, a silly song, or making brushing part of something they already enjoy.

Remember, consistency is more important than perfection. It may take some exploring to find a routine that works best for your family. Looking for more ideas? Explore Dental Steps for ME for caregiver-friendly videos and tips to support your child’s oral health.

——-

Story: Six-year-old Ava loves to read with her mom before bed. By the time their stories end, Ava is ready to crawl right under the covers, too sleepy to brush her teeth. Occasionally, her mom lets her skip the brushing, wanting Ava to get a good night’s rest. After all, she brushes her teeth every morning before school. Surely, missing a night here and there will not hurt…

At Ava’s next dental visit, though, her dentist notices an early cavity, much to her mom’s surprise. The dentist explains that brushing every evening is important because cavity-causing germs can stay on teeth all night if they are not removed. (2) Ava and her mom knew brushing twice a day was important, but knowing what to do and making it part of a busy bedtime routine were two different things.

Together, Ava and her mom decided to explore what might make brushing easier at night. They tried a few ideas. Ava picked out a new toothbrush, and they made up a silly song to sing while she brushed. Brushing her teeth soon became a regular part of the time she and her mom spent getting ready to read together.

At first, she still needed a few reminders, but with practice, the habit began to stick. Ava learned the routine: brush first, story next. Before long, brushing felt as natural as reading before bed, helping keep her teeth strong while she continued to enjoy her favorite stories.

——

Research: Ava’s story may sound familiar to many parents and caregivers. Even when children know how to brush their teeth, turning brushing into a routine can be challenging. Exploring new ways to support healthy behaviors may take time, but the effort can pay off in the long run.

Brushing every morning and every evening is a healthy habit worth learning and practicing. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends brushing with fluoridated toothpaste twice daily as one of the most effective ways to prevent cavities in children. (1)

Research suggests that habits often build on themselves over time. (3) As children explore new behaviors and routines, each repetition can make those behaviors feel a little easier and more

familiar, making them more likely to happen again. Gradually, this cycle can help healthy behaviors become a part of a child’s daily life.

For Ava, story time helped her explore a new routine. Because brushing her teeth came before her favorite activity, she had an added reason to repeat the behavior night after night. Eventually, brushing became part of her bedtime routine rather than something she needed frequent reminders to do. With children, incentives such as story time, rewards, or special activities can make healthy behaviors more appealing while helping children discover routines that fit naturally into their daily lives. (4)

Parents and caregivers should note that building new routines is not a straight path. (5) An incentive that worked last month can suddenly lose its appeal. This is normal. Building habits often requires trying new approaches and adjusting routines over time.

Some strategies that may help include:

· Pairing brushing with an existing routine, such as bedtime stories (6)

· Letting children choose a toothbrush or toothpaste flavor they enjoy (7)

· Brushing together as a family (7)

· Using reminders, songs, or timers (7)

 

Healthy habits should be accessible to every child. Some children may be sensitive to certain textures, tastes, or sounds, while others may need additional support with motor skills or following routines. (8)

Strategies that may help parents and caregivers of children with disabilities include:

· Choosing toothbrushes, toothpaste flavors, and brushing environments that are comfortable for the child (8)

· Using a toothbrush with a thick handle that is easier to hold (9)

· Breaking brushing into smaller steps (8)

· Practicing brushing at consistent times each day (8)

· Using visual cues (8)

These small efforts can help all children explore healthy brushing routines that support strong smiles for years to come.

——-

Footnotes:

1. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. (2023). Policy Statement. https://www.aapd.org/research/oral-health-policies–recommendations/use-of-fluoride/

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 14). About Cavities (Tooth Decay). https://www.cdc.gov/oral-health/about/cavities-tooth-decay.html

3. The Learning Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. (2022, October). Changing Habits. https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/changing-habits/

4. Loewenstein, G., Price, J., & Volpp, K. (2016). Habit formation in children: Evidence from incentives for healthy eating. Journal of Health Economics, 45, 47–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2015.11.004

5. Mendelsohn, A. I. (2019). Creatures of Habit: The Neuroscience of Habit and Purposeful Behavior. Biological Psychiatry, 85(11), e49–e51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.03.978

6. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2024, February 2). Brush, Book, Bed: How to Structure Your Child’s Nighttime Routine. HealthyChildren.Org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/oral-health/Pages/Brush-Book-Bed.aspx

7. American Dental Association. (n.d.). Fun Ways to Encourage Kids to Brush. MouthHealthy. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/life-stages/babies-and-kids/fun-ways-to-encourage-kids-to-brush

8. HeadStart. (2025, December 23). Toothbrushing Tips for Your Child with a Disability. https://headstart.gov/publication/toothbrushing-tips-your-child-disability

9. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2024, July 11). Oral Health Care for Children With Developmental Disabilities. HealthyChildren.Org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/oral-health/Pages/Oral-Health-Challenges-for-Children-with-Disabilities.aspx