From our family
Both of my kids love this. The sillier the ‘finds,’ the wider they open — and the wider they open, the better the brushing. It pairs brilliantly with My Turn, Your Turn Brushing.
Treasure Mouth
At a glance: While brushing, narrate 'finding' silly things hidden in your toddler's mouth to keep them giggling and opening wide. A 5-minute, low-energy indoor activity for ages 19m–4y. No prep needed.
As you brush your toddler's teeth, pretend to discover surprising things behind each tooth. 'Wait — is that a dinosaur back there? And I think I see the banana you had at lunch!' The sillier the better. Your toddler giggles, opens wider, and you get better access to those tricky back teeth. The narration turns a passive, uncomfortable experience into an interactive story they want to hear the end of.
Best for this moment
for calmer, lower-pressure moments, especially when you need an indoor option.
Parent tip
Start before you overthink it. No-prep activities work best when you begin while the moment is still recoverable.
What success looks like
A good outcome is a few minutes of engaged play, some back-and-forth with you, and a small sign of progress in creativity.
More help for this situation
Transitions and separation
Transitions
Support the switch from one thing to the next with steadier routines and simple bridges.
Read the transitions guideInstructions
- Start brushing your toddler's teeth as normal
- Pause and gasp dramatically: 'Wait... I think I see something!'
- Narrate a silly discovery: 'There's a tiny elephant hiding behind this tooth!'
- Move to another area: 'Oh! And over here — is that the toast from breakfast?'
- Ask your toddler what they think you'll find next
- Mix real foods from the day with silly imaginary finds
- Finish with: 'All clean — the treasure's all gone!'
Why it helps
Narrative distraction is one of the most effective pain and discomfort management techniques for young children. By engaging the imagination, you redirect attention away from the sensory discomfort of brushing. The interactive element — waiting to hear what comes next — motivates your toddler to keep their mouth open longer, which means better brushing coverage.
Variations
- Let your toddler 'find' things in your mouth too during turn-taking brushing.
- Keep a running tally across days: 'We've found three dinosaurs this week!'
- Use the same game during a dentist visit to ease anxiety — whisper to your toddler what you think the dentist will find.
Safety tips
- Keep the brush moving gently while narrating — don't poke or push while your toddler is laughing.
- If your toddler bites down from giggling, pause and wait for them to open again.
- Use a calm, playful tone rather than an excitable one to avoid over-stimulation before bedtime.
When to pause and seek extra support
Stop if your child becomes distressed, unsafe, or consistently frustrated by the activity. If play, behaviour, or development worries keep showing up across settings, check in with a qualified professional.
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