1. Keep 'em handy. We have toothbrushes and paste for the kids in both the upstairs and downstairs bathrooms. In the evening teeth are brushed during bath/shower time. In the morning we do it in the kitchen where we eat breakfast, straight after breakfast.
2. Use Technology. We find some of the toothbrush timer apps are fun, and you can also buy a little Barnabee timer on-line (picture and link below). This helps make the two minutes pretty clear for all concerned. For my older son, we use the kitchen timer whilst he stands at the sink - no arguments over how long as it is digitally dictated!
Apps:
This little guy does a song and dance with instructions on how to brush.
Just ignore the bit about rinsing as it goes against current recommendations.
https://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/macleans-nurdle-time-nz/id528168742?mt=8
Barnabee also does a song and dance and is rather cute. My daughter objected to him on moral grounds as he almost uses a word for bottom that rhymes with gum.
You can play his song online, so we just bookmarked the page rather than buying the app. We did buy the little timer and it was popular with my son for a while.
http://shop.beehealthy.org.nz
3. Use games. I like the one where you pretend to be a Zoo keeper and need to brush the Lion's (or Crocodiles, or Hippos etc) teeth! You'll find lots of other great ideas on the web too, especially imaginative games you can play with preschoolers for toothbrush co-operation. We do these ones in the evening for my daughter. For my son we often brush his teeth in the evening to ensure they get at least one good clean a day.
How do you manage tooth brushing for kids in your house?
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