5 Fun Ways to Build Healthy Dental Habits for Life
- Ashburton Family Dental
- Sep 1
- 3 min read
Introduction: Making Oral Health Fun for the Whole Family
At Ashburton Family Dental, we know that building great dental habits starts early—and the best way to make them stick is to make them fun!
As part of our Ashburton Family Dental Smile Challenge, we shared some of our favourite tips to help families create healthy, lifelong routines. Here are five fun and simple ways to build great oral health habits that your whole family will love!
1. Turn Brushing Into a Game
Most kids (and adults!) will stick to habits when they’re fun. Instead of brushing being a chore, try these creative ways to make it engaging:
✔ Use a brushing app – Apps like Brush DJ or Disney Magic Timer play music or animations for the full 2-minute brushing session.
✔ Make it a challenge – Use a reward chart and give stickers for consistent brushing.
✔ Sing a song – Play their favourite tune or create a brushing song to make time fly!
Tip: Let kids pick their own toothbrush with their favourite colour or character to get them excited about brushing.
2. The Family Brushing & Flossing Challenge
Everything’s better when done together! Encourage the whole family to brush and floss at the same time—making oral care a group activity.
🔹 Try a “who can brush the longest” challenge – Set a timer for 2 minutes and see who lasts the full time.
🔹 Floss together – Parents leading by example helps kids develop great flossing habits early.
🔹 Get creative with team names – “The Super Smilers” vs. “The Cavity Crushers”—who will win the best brushing record?
3. Make Water Your Superpower 💧
Drinking water is one of the easiest ways to keep your mouth healthy! Encourage kids to sip water after meals to rinse away food particles and bacteria as well as avoid sugary drinks.
✔ Create a water-drinking challenge – Keep track of who drinks the most water in a day.
✔ Use fun cups and bottles – Let kids choose their favourite cup to make hydration more exciting.
✔ Remind them of water’s superpower – Water washes away sugar and acids that can lead to cavities!
4. Let Kids Be the Dentist for a Day 🦷
Role-playing is a fantastic way to help kids feel comfortable with dental care. Let them take charge by pretending to be the dentist!
Set up a “dental clinic” at home – Use a stuffed toy or doll as the patient.
Let them “check” your teeth – A great way to reinforce what they’ve learned about brushing and flossing.
Watch fun dental videos – There are lots of great kids’ videos about going to the dentist and taking care of teeth. Or visit our YouTube video channel which shows some of the fun things that 'happen at the dentist'.
📢 Tip: If your child has an upcoming dental visit, reading books or playing pretend can help ease any anxiety!
Final Thoughts: Small Habits, Big Smiles
Building great dental habits doesn’t have to be boring—by adding fun, challenges, and creativity, oral care becomes something the whole family enjoys! Whether it’s singing songs, creating competitions, or making smart food swaps, these small changes can help towards lifelong healthy smiles.
If you’re looking for personalised dental care advice, book an appointment with Ashburton Family Dental—we’re here to keep your family’s smiles bright and healthy!
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