04/04/2026
Controversial take: letting little kids brush their own teeth and calling it done doesn’t count.
Not because they’re not trying.
Because they don’t have the dexterity or the attention span to actually do it well.
Brushing isn’t just moving a toothbrush around for 10 seconds and sucking the toothpaste off 🙄
🪥 It’s getting along the gumline
🪥 It’s reaching the back teeth
🪥 It’s using the right angles to actually remove plaque
That type of proper brushing is NOT a toddler skill.
But we treat it like it is, and then act surprised when cavities show up.
Let them brush first. Go for it.
But if no adult is going back in after, those teeth aren’t actually getting clean.
You can call it independence, but independence doesn’t get teeth clean. Parents do. 🦷