Toothbrushes Aren’t Toys

Sharing is caring!

This is a sponsored post for which I have received compensation, but the opinions are 100% my own. #Smilehood

Have you ever seen The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy? One of my favorite lines in the movie (amongst many) is “buttons aren’t toys.” I feel like this is the quintessential quote for parenthood. We’re always telling our kiddos not to do this, stay away from that, buttons aren’t toys. Better yet, this is what we’re always telling our toddlers. Man, I feel like I’m constantly saying “don’t do that.” Our latest phrase? Toothbrushes aren’t toys.

Yes, this is the new thing we’re saying around our home. Baby Frugal has discovered where to find his toothbrush, and that it’s not just for brushing teeth. It’s for poking around in the rest of the bathroom. It’s a make-shift lightsaber. It’s something to use to stick into his sister’s ribs. It’s so entertaining…for him. But, toothbrushes aren’t toys. Right?

Well, this is why we might not be saying that phrase anymore. Baby Frugal’s new obsession with his toothbrush might be a great thing. We’re on the journey of teaching him proper oral hygiene. One of the best ways to do that is to make brushing fun. So, if the toothbrush has to been a lightsaber for him to be interested, cool beans. Let’s do it.

There are so many ways to make sure that his teeth and gums stay healthy while he’s growing, and they can be enjoyable for all. Here are 5 of our favorites:

•  Do the “Ahh” activity after meals. To ensure kiddos have a clean mouth and clean gums after their meals, have them say Ahh with you. Use Baby Orajel Tooth and Gum Cleanser to get those teeth and gums clean. After a while, the kids will start to do it before you can encourage them to!
• Make it an event. Mom, Dad, sisters and brothers can make it a BIG DEAL when the little one needs to brush their teeth. Have a dance party. Put on music. Have everyone brush at the same time. Get hype when you get a new toothbrush. They’ll start to see how important it is to brush, but that it can be so much fun!
• Get their favorite characters involved. When we saw the Orajel Tooth & Gum Cleanser and toothbrush with Elmo on them, we grabbed them up for Baby Frugal. He loves Elmo, and loves to see him on his toothbrush!
• Set a brushing routine. Baby Frugal knows Mama will brush his teeth when he wakes up, and Daddy will brush them at night after his bath. He giggles every night when I say “go find Daddy, and brush your teeth!”
• Let them watch you. Since my kiddos were itty bitty, I’ve had them watch me brush my teeth. I’d put them in a baby seat, place it on the bathroom floor, and let them see how I do my own dental hygiene routine.

There are tons of tips about early tooth and gum care. Want to learn even more? Visit Orajel’s webpage.

So, that’s where we’re at right now. Toothbrushes aren’t toys. Or are they? Maybe they should be.