Learn how I helped my son build a twice-daily brushing habit and discover practical parenting tips for encouraging healthy dental routines.
Parenthood is a journey filled with countless challenges. From feeding and sleeping routines to teaching good habits, we parents are constantly trying to find ways to help our children grow into healthy and responsible individuals.
Sometimes, even the simplest daily activities become a struggle.
Brushing twice a day is one such challenge in our family.
It may sound like a small thing, but when a young child refuses to brush at night, it can become a daily battle. Through my experience with my daughter and son, I have learned why brushing twice a day is important and how patience and continuous effort can slowly help children develop this healthy habit.
When Should Children Start Brushing Their Teeth?
When a child’s first tooth erupts, pediatricians and pediatric dentists generally recommend starting toothbrushing with a suitable fluoride toothpaste.
I learned about the importance of brushing twice a day from my daughter’s pediatrician. Although I had always known that brushing teeth was important, I had not fully understood how essential it was for young children to follow this routine regularly.
The advice was simple:
Children should brush their teeth twice a day—once in the morning and once before going to bed at night.
Of course, every child is different. Some children cooperate easily, while others need time, encouragement, and plenty of patience to develop this habit.
My children taught me this lesson in their own ways.
Why Is Brushing Twice a Day Important for Children?
Children love sugary foods. Chocolates, biscuits, candies, cakes, cookies, and ice cream are some of their favourite treats.
My son is especially fond of these things!
But frequent sugary snacks and drinks can increase the risk of tooth decay. Food particles and plaque can also build up on teeth, and the bacteria in plaque produce acids that damage tooth enamel.
If we do not maintain proper oral hygiene, children may develop:
- Tooth decay and cavities.
- Plaque buildup.
- Gum problems.
- Bad breath.
- Dental discomfort.
That is why brushing twice a day is such an important part of children’s oral care.
Morning Brushing
During sleep, saliva flow decreases, and bacteria and plaque can accumulate in the mouth. Brushing in the morning helps clean the teeth and remove the buildup that develops overnight.
It also gives children a fresh start to the day.
Brushing Before Bed
Night-time brushing is especially important because it removes plaque and food debris that have accumulated throughout the day.
Children eat different foods during the day, including sugary treats. They may not always rinse their mouths after eating, and they certainly do not always remember to brush properly on their own.
If teeth are not cleaned before bedtime, plaque and food debris can remain on the teeth for hours while the child sleeps.
That is why brushing before bed should become a regular part of every child’s bedtime routine.
A small habit today can help protect a child’s teeth in the future.
My Daughter Started Brushing Twice a Day at Four
I have been brushing my teeth twice a day since childhood, although I do not remember exactly when I started this habit.
When my daughter was little, she brushed her teeth once a day, usually in the morning.
At that time, I thought I would introduce twice-daily brushing when she turned five or six. I assumed she was still too young to follow the routine properly.
But after learning more from her pediatrician, I understood that there was no reason to wait unnecessarily.
So, when my daughter was around four years old, I started encouraging her to brush twice a day.
Thankfully, she gradually became accustomed to the routine.
Looking back, I realise that I could have started earlier, following the dental advice given when her first tooth appeared. It was an important lesson for me as a mother.
My Son Was a Completely Different Story!
When it came to my son, things were not so easy.
I started encouraging him to brush twice a day when he was around two years old. But he had already become comfortable with brushing only in the morning.
Whenever I asked him to brush at night, he refused.
Sometimes he cried. Sometimes he made excuses. Sometimes he simply did not want to cooperate.
As many parents know, getting a young child to do something they do not want to do can be exhausting!
I tried explaining why brushing was important. I reminded him that his elder sister brushed her teeth twice a day. I tried different ways to make the routine easier.
But my son did not care much about his sister’s example in this case.
Although he copies her in some situations, brushing was not one of them!
After trying for some time, I thought:
“Maybe when he grows a little older, he will understand the importance of brushing twice a day.”
So I continued encouraging him without making every night a major battle.
My Son Loves Sugary Foods More Than His Sister
There is another reason why I feel twice-daily brushing is particularly important for my son.
He loves eating cakes, chocolates, cookies, and ice cream.
My daughter enjoys these things too, but my son is much more enthusiastic about them!
That makes me more conscious about his dental hygiene.
Children are naturally curious and love sweet treats. They do not always understand how their food choices and daily habits can affect their teeth.
They are still learning.
That is why we parents need to guide them patiently.
We cannot expect a two-year-old or four-year-old child to understand everything immediately. But we can introduce healthy habits early and keep encouraging them as they grow.
Now My Son Is Four and a Half!
Today, my son is four and a half years old, and I am happy to say that he has started brushing twice a day!
It did not happen overnight.
It took continuous effort, reminders, and many attempts to make him comfortable with night-time brushing.
Even now, sometimes he gives excuses.
Sometimes he says he does not want to brush. Sometimes he tries to avoid the routine.
But the difference is that he does it now.
Earlier, he was very stubborn about refusing to brush at night. Now that stubbornness has reduced a little.
Maybe he is growing up and slowly beginning to understand things.
Maybe he is becoming more comfortable with the routine.
Whatever the reason, I am happy to see this small improvement.
A habit that once felt impossible is slowly becoming part of his daily life.
The Dentist Visit That Helped Me Find a Trick
One day, a dentist visited my children’s school for a dental check-up.
After returning home from school, my son told me:
“I don’t want to go to the dentist.”
I do not know exactly what happened during the school check-up that day. Perhaps he felt nervous or uncomfortable.
But that experience unexpectedly helped me find a way to encourage him to brush at night.
Nowadays, whenever he starts making excuses about brushing, I remind him about the dentist.
I tell him that taking care of his teeth is important and that brushing helps keep them clean and healthy.
Surprisingly, this little trick works quite well!
He becomes more cooperative, and the night-time brushing routine goes more smoothly.
Of course, I am not saying that this trick will work for every child.
Every child is different, and what works for one may not work for another.
As parents, we know our children better than anyone else. We understand their likes, dislikes, fears, and interests.
Sometimes, finding the right approach simply takes time.
Patience Is the Key to Building Healthy Habits
I have tried many different tricks to help my son become comfortable with brushing twice a day.
Sometimes they work.
Sometimes they do not.
But I keep trying.
I do not expect him to become perfectly independent overnight. He is still a small child, and he needs guidance.
My dream is to see the day when he brushes his teeth by himself without any force or repeated reminders.
I know that day will come gradually.
For now, I am happy that he is taking small steps towards becoming more responsible for his own oral hygiene.
As parents, we often want our children to follow every good habit immediately. But children need time to learn.
We need to guide them, encourage them, and sometimes try a different approach.
What I Have Learned as a Mother
My experience with both my children has taught me an important lesson.
Healthy habits should be introduced early, but children may need different amounts of time and support to follow them.
My daughter gradually became comfortable with brushing twice a day when she was around four.
My son needed more time and more effort.
That does not mean one child is better than the other.
It simply means that children have different personalities and different ways of learning.
We should not compare them unnecessarily.
Instead, we should understand their needs and help them develop good habits at their own pace.
Brushing twice a day is not just about clean teeth. It is about teaching children to take care of themselves.
And that is one of the most important responsibilities of parenthood.
A Small Request to Parents
If your child is struggling with brushing twice a day, do not lose hope.
Try different ways to make the routine comfortable and enjoyable. You can use a child-friendly toothbrush, brush together, sing a brushing song, or create a simple morning and bedtime routine.
If your child refuses to brush or you have concerns about their teeth, consult a pediatric dentist for guidance.
And remember, brushing twice a day should begin as early as recommended by your child’s dental professional—ideally when the first tooth appears.
Do not wait until your child becomes much older to introduce this important habit.
Every small effort we make today can help our children develop healthy routines for the future.
What About Your Child?
What challenges did you face—or are you facing—while teaching your child to brush twice a day?
Did your child refuse night-time brushing?
Did you find any tricks that helped?
How did you encourage your little one to develop this healthy habit?
Please feel free to share your experiences in the comment section. I would love to hear from you, and your experience may also help other parents who are struggling with the same challenge.
Because in parenthood, sometimes a small idea from another parent can make a big difference.
Let’s learn from one another and help our children grow up healthy, happy, and independent.