5 Tips for a more peaceful toothbrushing routine with your child
Reading time: 6 min | By Monsieur Filament
Every evening, the scenario can repeat itself: you announce it's time to brush teeth, and your child negotiates, drags their feet, or suddenly finds a thousand other things to do.
The moment that was supposed to last a few minutes sometimes ends up becoming a source of tension for the whole family.
However, brushing teeth doesn't necessarily have to be a chore. By gradually changing how this moment is presented, it's possible to build a more predictable, fun routine in which the child can play an active role.
Here are five simple ideas to try at home.
Tip #1: Turn brushing into a ritual rather than just an obligation
"Go brush your teeth!"
This phrase is effective for giving an instruction, but it doesn't necessarily make the moment very appealing for a child.
Conversely, a routine repeated every day makes brushing more predictable.
The goal is for the child to naturally know what comes next.
For example:
Pajamas → teeth brushing → story → bedtime.
You can also always use the same little phrase:
"It's time for our brushing moment."
Then add a constant element:
- a song;
- a timer;
- a small hourglass;
- a story;
- or an accessory they like to find.
Through repetition, brushing gradually finds its place in the normal flow of the evening.
The goal is not to make every session extraordinary.
On the contrary: a good routine becomes familiar.
Tip #2: Let them make small choices
Children like to participate in decisions concerning their daily lives.
Obviously, the question:
"Do you want to brush your teeth?"
leaves open the possibility of answering "no," which doesn't help much when brushing needs to happen.
Instead, you can offer small choices within the routine.
For example:
"Do you prefer to brush your teeth before or after pajamas?"
"Which song should we put on tonight?"
"Do you start with the top teeth or the bottom ones?"
"Which companion comes with us to the bathroom?"
In all cases, brushing is still scheduled.
But the child participates in certain decisions.
It's a simple way to gradually give them an active role in their routine.
Tip #3: Make the brushing environment more fun
For a young child, notions of dental plaque, cavities, or long-term prevention remain quite abstract.
Playing, however, is immediately understandable.
It can therefore be interesting to make the moment more visual or more amusing.
Use a timer
An hourglass or a suitable timer allows the child to visualize the brushing time.
They no longer wonder:
"Is it over soon?"
They can directly see where they are.
Add a song
Choose music reserved for brushing time.
Eventually, the first notes themselves become a signal:
it's time to brush teeth.
Invent a little story
Depending on the child's age, you can turn brushing into a mission:
"We're going to clean all the little teeth."
"Did we forget the back ones?"
"Shall we make the top ones shine now?"
A few sentences are enough.
No need to turn the bathroom into a show every night.
Choose accessories they like
Toothbrush, cup, storage...
The decor also matters.
An object that the child has chosen and recognizes can become a small landmark associated with their routine.
This is particularly the idea behind Press-Me Animals.
Tip #4: Brush teeth together
Children learn a lot by observing adults.
Instead of just standing by and reminding:
"Up now."
"Keep going."
you can sometimes brush your teeth at the same time.
The child sees you perform the same gestures as them.
This can transform an instruction into a shared activity.
And if there are several children in the family, brushing time can also become a small collective routine.
Naturally, adult supervision and verification should be adapted to the child's age and abilities.
Tip #5: Value progress
It is not necessary to wait for absolutely perfect brushing to praise your child.
You can notice the small things that are improving:
"You remembered to get your brush by yourself tonight."
"You took your time with the back teeth."
"You prepared all your things without me reminding you."
A specific compliment helps the child understand what they have achieved.
The progress chart
Some children also appreciate a small chart where they can add a star or a mark after their routine.
It is not necessary to systematically associate a material reward with brushing.
The simple act of visualizing their regularity can already be motivating.
Look at the result together
You can also end the ritual in front of the mirror:
"Shall we check if all the teeth have been brushed?"
This allows the routine to conclude on a positive note while maintaining parental support.
And Press-Me in all this?
All the previous ideas have something in common:
they aim to make brushing a more familiar and personal experience.
This is precisely the universe we wanted to create with Press-Me.
A Press-Me Animal is a toothpaste tube press manufactured in France by 3D printing, designed to combine a practical function with a fun universe.
The tube is installed in the Press-Me system, then, with each use, the wheel allows it to be gradually rolled around the key to bring the remaining toothpaste up towards the opening.
For a child, their companion can also become a small landmark:
their animal, their place near the sink, their little moment in the routine.
Press-Me obviously does not replace parents, nor the learning of a good brushing technique, nor the recommendations of a health professional.
It simply brings a little playfulness and personality to this daily gesture.
Let your child choose their companion
When a child participates in choosing an object, they can naturally develop more interest in it.
Rather than imposing a model, you can show them the currently available companions and ask them:
"Which one would you like to find in your bathroom?"
As the Press-Me collection regularly evolves, new companions may join the existing models.
Therefore, it is not necessary to memorize the entire collection.
The best companion is simply the one your child wants to adopt.
Don't look for the perfect routine
There will probably still be evenings when your child prefers to play rather than brush their teeth.
That's normal.
A song, a chart, or a pretty accessory does not eliminate all the difficulties of daily life.
The goal is rather to gradually build a routine stable enough for brushing to become a familiar step in the day.
Test an idea.
Keep the one that works for you.
Then possibly add another habit a few days or weeks later.
Each family eventually builds its own ritual.
In summary: 5 tips for a more peaceful brushing
1. Ritualize the moment
Maintain the same schedule and order in the routine as much as possible.
2. Give small choices
Let the child participate in certain decisions without questioning the brushing itself.
3. Make the environment more playful
Song, timer, short story, or brushing companion.
4. Lead by example
Brush your teeth together sometimes.
5. Value progress
Notice small successes rather than immediately seeking perfection.
Discover the Press-Me companions
A small colorful companion can bring a different touch to the bathroom routine while fulfilling its function as a tube press.
Discover the models currently available in the Press-Me store and let your child choose their brushing companion.
→ Discover Press-Me Animals
