Brushing teeth
Brushing teeth, all the way to the back.
Plenty of children brush in a flash and shout “Done!”. The Blueberry Smile is about finishing the job, even the parts nobody can see, and our free Blueberry Brush Hunt game turns it into play.
Brushing teeth
Why children rush brushing
Children aged 3 to 5 often brush the front teeth they can see and skip the rest. It isn’t stubbornness; the back teeth simply feel less real.
Giving the hidden spots a reason to matter, like a blueberry hiding on a tooth, makes finishing feel like a mission rather than a rule.
Small things to try at the sink
- 1
Twice a day, about two minutes
Morning and before bed is the usual advice from dentists. A song or a sand timer helps two minutes feel short.
- 2
A pea-sized blob of toothpaste
For children aged 3 to 6, a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste is the common recommendation. Ask your dentist what is right for your child.
- 3
Go on a blueberry hunt
Look for “blueberries” on the front, top and back teeth, just like in the book and the game.
- 4
Take turns
Let your child brush first, then you finish. Most young children need a grown-up’s help with brushing for several years.
What helps with brushing teeth
Blueberry Brush Hunt
Blueberries keep popping up on Pip’s teeth. Tap each one to brush it away, all the way to the back. Made with The Blueberry Smile.
For brushing teethGood to know
Questions parents ask
How can I get my preschooler to brush their teeth properly?+
Make the hidden teeth matter: turn brushing into a hunt for spots on the front, top and back teeth, use a song or timer for about two minutes, and finish the job together. The Blueberry Smile and the Blueberry Brush Hunt game are built around this idea.
Is there a free game that helps children with brushing their teeth?+
Yes. Blueberry Brush Hunt is a free game for ages 3 to 5 that plays in the browser on phones, tablets and computers. Blueberries pop up on Pip’s teeth and your child brushes each one away. There is nothing to download and no sign-up.
Is there a picture book about brushing teeth for ages 3 to 5?+
The Blueberry Smile is the third book in our Little Daily Life series. Pip brushes in a flash and shouts “Done!”, until the mirror shows a blueberry on his front tooth. It is coming soon; write to us to hear when it is out.
