Did you know eating sweets is the number one contributor to tooth decay? Especially after loading up on sugary treats during Halloween, it’s time to remind your kids about the importance of taking care of their teeth! Each year on November 1, National Brush Day helps focus on children’s oral heath through facts about brushing, activities to make brushing fun, and tips to keep those teeth nice and healthy. We’re here to help you show your kids that brushing doesn’t have to be a chore!
National Brush Day timeline
Manufacturers began to produce toothbrushes that sing tunes during the recommended two minutes of brushing time.
The electric toothbrush was invented in the United States by the Electro Massage Tooth Brush Company. The oscillating brush head helped people brush more efficiently and reach between teeth.
The Baltimore College of Dental Surgery opened as the first dental college in the world. It still exists today.
The ancient Egyptians constructed crude toothbrushes from twigs and leaves called "chew sticks."
National Brush Day Activities
Pick out a brushing song
Ask your child to pick their favorite song and crank it up. Dance along and make brushing on National Brush Day a party.
Brush up on your brushing
Get back to the basics and review proper brushing form with your kids. Remind them to brush their gum line gently, and brush all the way to the back of their mouth. Finally, ensure they know to brush for a full two minutes!
Make a family brushing competition
Create a chart for your family to track how well everyone is brushing. Each day, have your child log how long they brushed their teeth. Then, come up with a reward for the family member that does the best.
4 Crazy Toothpaste Flavors You May (or May Not) Want To Try
Bacon
While many people love to eat bacon for breakfast, Mr. Bacon created a toothpaste for the days you don't have time to make it.
Chocolate
Surprisingly, chocolate toothpaste is actually safe for your teeth and even comes in a candy-wrapper bottle.
Wasabi
If you're bored of your toothpaste routine, take it to the next level with spicy wasabi toothpaste.
Why We Love National Brush Day
Brushing is fun
It's important to brush for a full two minutes in order to keep our teeth healthy. There are a lot of ways to make brushing more fun and less boring. You can use a funny video or a tooth brushing dance to help distract your kids while they're brushing!
You can get creative with your toothbrush
There are three main categories of toothbrush: manual, electric, and sonic. However, within these categories there are seemingly endless choices in color, size, and features! For example, some toothbrushes have a gum cleaner on the back of the brush head, while others even feature your kid's favorite cartoon. Help your child get creative next time they pick out a toothbrush.
Brushing is a family event
Brushing is a tradition that your family can do together every day. Show your kids why brushing is important and do it as a team. Bonus points for flossing together too!
National Brush Day dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2024 | November 1 | Friday |
2025 | November 1 | Saturday |
2026 | November 1 | Sunday |
2027 | November 1 | Monday |
2028 | November 1 | Wednesday |