Top 10 Fun Songs to Help Kids Brush Their Teeth Longer
Toothbrushing can feel like a small daily routine, but for parents of toddlers and preschoolers, it can become one of the hardest parts of the morning or bedtime. Some children clamp their mouths shut. Some chew the toothbrush. Some run away. Some get upset before the toothpaste even touches the brush.
That does not mean you are doing something wrong. Toothbrushing involves taste, texture, sound, patience, and standing still. For young children, that can feel like a lot.
Music can help because a song gives children something familiar to follow. It can turn brushing from a battle into a routine with rhythm, repetition, and a clear beginning and ending.
NHS guidance recommends brushing children’s teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for about 2 minutes, including last thing at night and at one other time that fits your routine. Young children still need adult help with brushing, even when they want to do it themselves.
As a mother of three and founder of Kids Songs Learning Hub, I know how much easier daily routines can feel when they become playful. This guide shares fun toothbrushing song ideas, simple parent tips, and safety reminders to help children stay engaged while brushing.
Important note
This article is for general parent education and routine support only. It is not dental, medical, behavioural, sensory, speech-language, occupational therapy, or professional childcare advice. If you are worried about your child’s teeth, gums, brushing, pain, feeding, sensory needs, or oral development, speak with a dentist, health visitor, GP, or another qualified professional.
Why Songs Can Help With Toothbrushing
A song can help children understand how long brushing lasts. Most toddlers do not understand “2 minutes” in the way adults do, but they can understand “we brush until the song finishes.”
Songs can also make brushing feel more predictable. When the same short song plays at the same time each day, it becomes a routine cue. Your child begins to learn what comes next: toothbrush, toothpaste, brushing, spit, smile, done.
Music may help because it gives children:
A clear start and finish
A gentle timer
A playful distraction
A rhythm to brush along with
A familiar routine cue
A chance to copy an adult
A way to feel involved
The goal is not perfect brushing or a perfect performance. The goal is to help your child cooperate for a little longer while you guide the toothbrush around all tooth surfaces.
A parent reminder
Children often need help brushing properly until they are older. Letting your child “have a turn” can be helpful, but an adult should still help finish the brushing so the teeth are cleaned properly.
Top 10 Fun Songs to Help Kids Brush Their Teeth
These song ideas are simple, child-friendly, and easy to repeat. You do not need a perfect voice. You just need a short song, a calm tone, and a routine your child can recognise.
1. The Brush Your Teeth Song
A dedicated brushing song is often the easiest place to start because the words match the action. Use a simple song that reminds children to brush the front teeth, back teeth, top teeth, and bottom teeth.
Parent tip: Choose a version that lasts close to 2 minutes, or sing it twice if needed.
2. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, Slow Brushing Version
This works well for bedtime because it is familiar and calming. Sing it slowly while helping your child brush.
Brushing idea: Use one verse for top teeth and one verse for bottom teeth.
3. If You’re Happy and You Know It, Brush Your Teeth Version
This is a great call-and-response routine. Keep the words simple and focus on actions such as brushing, opening wide, and smiling.
Brushing idea: Add gentle actions like “open wide,” “brush the back,” and “spit it out.”
"The Brush Your Teeth Song" by Kids Songs Learning Hub: This is the gold standard for a reason. It's an educational bop. The lyrics literally guide the action: "Brush your teeth, round and round…" The animation shows friendly characters doing it right, and it's exactly two minutes long. It's a full teaching package.
"If You're Happy and You Know It (Brush Your Teeth Edition)": Adaptation is key! Change the lyrics: "If you're happy and you know it, brush your teeth! (scrub scrub!)" Add verses: "If you're happy and you know it, clean the back! (reach reach!)" The call-and-response format keeps them engaged and following directions.
4. The Wheels on the Bus, Toothbrush Version
Familiar tunes can make new routines easier. Use a brushing version of this song to guide round-and-round brushing, side-to-side brushing, and up-and-down brushing.
Brushing idea: “The toothbrush in my mouth goes round and round” can remind children to keep moving the brush.
check out our post on The Best Educational Songs for Kids That Get Them Moving & Learning.
5. Row, Row, Row Your Boat, Brush Along Version
This tune is short, gentle, and easy to repeat. It works well for children who get overwhelmed by loud or fast music.
Brushing idea: Repeat the tune while brushing different areas of the mouth.
6. A Two-Minute Toothbrushing Timer Song
Some children respond well to a clear brushing timer song. Choose a simple 2-minute song or audio timer with a gentle sound at the end.
Brushing idea: Tell your child, “When the song finishes, brushing is done.”
7. A Morning Energy Song
For morning brushing, choose an upbeat children’s song that helps your child wake up and move. Keep the focus on brushing, not dancing too wildly in the bathroom.
Brushing idea: March feet gently while an adult helps guide the toothbrush.
8. A Calm Bedtime Song
For nighttime brushing, use a slower song that helps your child wind down. A familiar lullaby can make brushing feel less like another task and more like part of the bedtime routine.
Brushing idea: Keep your voice low and steady while brushing.
9. A Name Song
Children often enjoy hearing their own name in a routine song. Make up a simple brushing chant using your child’s name.
Example idea: “Jenna brushes, round and round, clean teeth smile, now spit it out.”
Brushing idea: Use your child’s name for encouragement, not pressure.
10. A Family Favourite Song
Sometimes the best brushing song is simply one your child already loves. Choose a song that is not too long, not too loud, and not too distracting.
Brushing idea: Use the same favourite song for one week so your child learns the pattern.
Copyright note
It is fine to mention song titles or use familiar tunes at home, but do not paste copyrighted song lyrics into your article unless you have permission. For your website, use your own brushing lyrics, public-domain-style wording, or original Kids Songs Learning Hub songs.
How to Make Toothbrushing Songs Work at Home
1. Keep the routine short and clear
Say what is happening before you start: “It is toothbrushing time. We will brush until the song finishes.”
2. Let your child choose between two songs
Too many choices can feel overwhelming. Offer two simple options: “Do you want the brushing song or the star song?”
3. Brush together first
Children often copy what they see. Brush your own teeth beside them, then help them finish their brushing properly.
4. Use a mirror
A mirror helps children see what is happening. You can point to the top teeth, bottom teeth, front teeth, and back teeth.
5. Use gentle praise
Instead of only saying “good job,” describe the action:
“You opened your mouth.”
“You let me brush the back teeth.”
“You stayed with the song until the end.”
6. Keep toothpaste amounts age-appropriate
For babies and toddlers under 3, NHS guidance advises using a tiny smear of toothpaste. For children aged 3 to 6, NHS guidance advises using a pea-sized amount. Use fluoride toothpaste and ask your dentist or health visitor if you are unsure which toothpaste is right for your child.
7. Spit, do not rinse
Many dental guidance resources recommend encouraging children to spit out toothpaste after brushing rather than rinsing straight away, so the fluoride can stay on the teeth for longer. Young children still need supervision to avoid swallowing toothpaste.
8. Stay calm when it does not go perfectly
Some nights will be messy. Your child may be tired, teething, unwell, overstimulated, or resistant. Keep coming back to the simple routine: song, brush, spit, done.
Toothbrushing Song Routine Table
Step | What to say or do | Why it helps |
Prepare | “It is brushing time.” | Gives a clear cue |
Choose song | Offer two song choices | Gives simple control |
Start timer | Begin the song | Shows when brushing starts |
Brush together | Adult helps guide brushing | Supports proper cleaning |
Name teeth | “Top teeth, bottom teeth, back teeth.” | Builds awareness |
Finish | “Song is done, brushing is done.” | Gives a clear ending |
Praise effort | “You opened wide.” | Reinforces helpful actions |
Free Printable: Toothbrushing Song Routine Chart
To make this routine easier, add a Toothbrushing Song Routine Chart. This printable can help children follow the same steps each morning and night.
Inside the printable, include:
✓ Morning brushing chart
✓ Bedtime brushing chart
✓ Choose your brushing song page
✓ 2-minute brushing tracker
✓ Toothbrushing steps for kids
✓ Parent helper reminder
✓ Toothpaste amount reminder
✓ Dentist question page
Helpful Related Resources
For more healthy routine songs, read “Top 10 Must-Watch Videos for Teaching Kids Healthy Habits Through Music.”
For bedtime routine ideas, read “How to Create a Peaceful Bedtime Routine With Sleep Music and Songs.”
For toddler routine support, read “The Best Clean-Up Songs for Toddlers.”
For more free activities, visit the Free Preschool Printables Library.
Final Thoughts
Toothbrushing may not become perfect overnight, but a song can make it feel more familiar, playful, and possible.
Start small. Choose one song. Brush together. Keep the routine gentle and repeat it daily. Over time, your child may begin to understand that brushing has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
You are not just trying to get through another bathroom battle. You are helping your child build a healthy daily habit, one song at a time.
Sources and useful guidance
About the Author
Janerine Watson is the founder of Kids Songs Learning Hub, a mother of three, and a BSc Health and Social Care graduate. She creates music-based learning resources, children’s songs, printable activities, and parent-friendly guides that help toddlers and preschoolers learn through rhythm, repetition, movement, routines, and play. Through parenting and her background in health and social care, Janerine shares practical ways families can make everyday routines more playful, realistic, and easier to repeat.
Dental Health and Child Routine Disclaimer
This article is for general educational, parenting, and routine-support purposes only. It is not dental, medical, paediatric, behavioural, sensory, speech-language, occupational therapy, or professional childcare advice. It should not replace guidance from a dentist, dental nurse, health visitor, GP, paediatrician, or another qualified professional.
Every child is different. Toothbrushing routines may need to be adapted for age, allergies, sensory needs, oral pain, teething, disability, developmental stage, medical needs, feeding needs, or dental advice.
Supervise children during toothbrushing. Use an age-appropriate toothbrush and toothpaste amount. Keep toothpaste, mouthwash, floss, toothbrushes, timers, cups, stools, and bathroom items safely stored. Do not allow young children to swallow toothpaste or use dental products without adult supervision.
If your child has tooth pain, bleeding gums, visible decay, swelling, injury, extreme distress around brushing, feeding changes, speech concerns, oral development concerns, or you are worried about their teeth or gums, speak with a dentist, health visitor, GP, or another qualified professional.
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