Adopting a healthy oral hygiene routine [1] is important at any age but may be a bit more so during a child's younger years. These formative years are the ones that really set the stage and build the foundation for a healthy lifestyle [2] for years to come. However, we also know that sometimes teaching children to brush their teeth can be a little tricky, a bit messy, and a tad frustrating. It involves great dedication, reassurance, and support (not to mention a bunch of time). Because of this, we've gathered five tips that will help get your child brushing their teeth (without a huge battle) in no time!

Make Brushing Fun

According to the American Dental Association, you should brush your teeth twice a day [3], two minutes each time. It's important to make these four minutes fun, so don't just stand there and watch. Instead, a good idea is to set a timer, such as Disney's Magic Timer by Oral B App [4], dance around, and get to brushing. If brushing is made to be a fun activity, your child may find more of an incentive to stick to it.

Make It a Habit

Make sure when you're teaching your child how to brush, you stick to a routine [5], brushing once in the morning and once at night before bed. Over time, this will be a built-in part of your child's everyday life, becoming a healthy, easy-to-remember habit.