How long should kids brush their teeth?
Here is what health bodies say, read on their own pages in October 2026:
- About 2 minutes, twice a day. The NHS advises brushing for about 2 minutes, last thing at night and one other time, and suggests an egg timer to make it fun.
- Twice a day, after breakfast and before bed. The American Academy of Pediatrics' parent site says to clean the teeth at least twice a day.
- Toothpaste amount. The AAP says a smear the size of a grain of rice until age 3, and a pea-sized amount from age 3. The NHS says a smear under 3 and a pea-sized amount from 3 to 6.
- Spit, don't rinse. The NHS says rinsing makes the fluoride work less well.
- Help them. The AAP says to assist or supervise until children master brushing, usually around age 10.
This is a summary, not dental advice; your dentist knows your child's teeth.
Using a song as a 2-minute brushing timer
Two minutes feels long to a three-year-old. A song helps because it has a shape they can follow:
- Start the song when the brush goes in, not before. Put the toothpaste on first.
- One part of the mouth per verse. Top teeth in verse one, bottom teeth in verse two, the back teeth in the bridge.
- The chorus is the "keep going" moment. Little circles while everyone sings it.
- The song ends, then spit. No rinsing.
- Same song, same time, every day. After a week many children start the routine themselves when they hear the first line.
If your child resists, take turns: you brush during the verses, they brush during the chorus, then you check. Our guide how to get a toddler to brush their teeth has more ideas.
What the personalized version adds
A song about brushing is easy to find. A song about your child brushing is different: their name in the chorus, their dinosaur toothbrush, the bear who "also brushes" on the sink. You fill in the details and our AI writer drafts lyrics that go through brushing in order: top teeth, bottom teeth, the back ones, little circles, spit. You read them and change any word, then an AI music model sings it in the playful style (ukulele, xylophone, handclaps).
Good details to give us: the toothbrush color or character, the toothpaste flavor, a toy that watches, who brushes with them, and a word they like to shout at the end.
Is it really two minutes?
Our songs are written and sung to last about two minutes, but each sung version comes out a little different. You can make up to 3 versions; keep the one that runs closest to two minutes, or simply keep brushing until the song finishes. If a version runs short, play the last chorus again and brush the back teeth once more.
Price
One price per song, shown on this page, paid once with no subscription. Routines come in sets, so many families get a pack: packs of 5 and 20 bring the price per song down and never expire, so you can add a potty song or a tidy-up song later. See pricing.
Hear an example
Made with Still Morning for a made-up child called Zara, from these details: "Two and a half. Has a purple toothbrush with a unicorn on it and strawberry toothpaste. Her teddy Mr Buttons sits on the sink and "brushes too". Daddy brushes his teeth next to her. She likes to roar like a lion to show her clean teeth at the end.". Lyrics as the writer drafted them, before any edits.
[Verse 1] Purple brush, unicorn smile Strawberry paste, a little pile Mr Buttons waits by the sink He gives a nod, he gives a wink [Chorus] Zara, brush them up and down Tiny circles round and round Top teeth, bottom, back ones too Spit it out, you’re almost through [Verse 2] Dad is brushing next to you Bubbles white and pink and blue Morning sun and bedtime light Brush them twice, it feels so right [Chorus] Zara, brush them up and down Tiny circles round and round Top teeth, bottom, back ones too Spit it out, you’re almost through [Bridge] Now a lion, big and proud Show your teeth and roar out loud [Chorus] Zara, brush them up and down Tiny circles round and round Top teeth, bottom, back ones too Spit it out, you’re almost through
What it cannot do
A song cannot brush teeth; a grown-up still needs to help and check. It is not dental advice and it will not fix a fear of the dentist on its own. If you only need a timer tonight, a kitchen timer or any two-minute song does the job without paying.
Questions parents ask
How long is a toothbrushing song supposed to be?
About two minutes, matching the NHS advice to brush for about 2 minutes twice a day. Ours are made to that length; pick the version closest to two minutes.
Can my toddler brush alone while the song plays?
Let them have a go during part of the song, then take over and finish. The AAP suggests helping or supervising until children master brushing, usually around age 10.
Should we play it in the morning and at night?
Yes, if it helps. Some families keep the brushing song for both times; others use a calmer song at night. You can make the night one in a gentle style.
Can the song mention the dentist?
Yes, kindly. Write a detail like "Dr Lee counts your teeth" and the lyrics will keep it friendly. For a song to calm a child before a visit, see the doctor or dentist visit page.
What if my child refuses to brush even with a song?
A song helps many children but not all, and some phases pass on their own. Keep the routine short and calm, and ask your dentist or pediatrician if brushing is a daily fight.
Sources
- NHS, Children's teeth, 2025-06-30. Read 2026-10-17.
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), Good Oral Health Starts Early: AAP Policy Explained, 2026-04-17. Read 2026-10-17.
Updated 2026-10-17. Made with AI. The words come from an AI writer working from your details, and you approve them. The music and the voice come from an AI music model (not a human singer).