Why two minutes feels long
Most of us stop well before two minutes, and kids stop sooner. A timer, a two-minute song or a sand timer gives the routine a clear finish line, so you are not negotiating every night.
Split the mouth into four
Spend about thirty seconds on each quarter: top right, top left, bottom left, bottom right. Say where you are going next. Kids like knowing how much is left.
Who holds the brush
Let your child have a turn, then finish for them. The CDC suggests helping until your child has the skill to brush well on their own, and your child’s dentist can tell you when they are ready.
Twice a day, every day
Morning and bedtime are the two that matter most. Tie them to things that already happen, like getting dressed and story time, so they happen without a reminder.
