Brushing Breakthrough
Your 5-Day Starting Plan
​
Find what feels more comfortable - one step at a time.
For myself
Direct language, control over pace, sensory preferences and practical adjustments
For my child
Parent modelling, simple choices, age-appropriate toothpaste amounts and help with brushing
For someone I support
Permission, communication, independence, familiar routines and sharing preferences between carers
Brushing Breakthrough
Brushing can be difficult when the taste, foam or feel is uncomfortable. Sometimes the setting, timing or experience of receiving help makes it harder too.
​
This plan helps you explore what works for you, or someone you support, and take manageable steps towards more comfortable brushing.
​
Use one focus each day, or spend longer on any step. You can start further along if that suits you. There is no deadline and no need to start again after a difficult day.
​
Keep up any brushing you already manage. These exploration steps support everyday mouth care; they do not replace it.
DAY 1:
NOTICE
Find your starting point
​
-
Before changing anything, notice what feels difficult and what already helps.
-
Is it the toothpaste’s flavour? Foam? The brush touching certain places? Noise, lighting, tiredness or someone else taking over?
-
Choose one thing to make easier today. That might be a quieter space, sitting comfortably, a different flavour or agreeing how to ask for a pause.
-
If you are supporting someone, ask what they prefer and pay attention to their responses, including expressions and movements.
DAY 2:
EXPLORE
Get familiar with the products
​​
-
Introduce one change at a time so you can tell what helps.
-
With a BBK, begin by holding and looking at the ultra-soft toothbrush. If comfortable, feel the clean bristles on your hand before trying them against your teeth.
-
With a Taster Box, you can use your existing toothbrush.
-
Explore one toothpaste flavour at a time. You can notice its smell first, then try a small amount on the brush when ready, following the product’s directions. Notice the flavour, texture and foam during brushing. Toothpaste is for brushing, not eating.
-
You do not have to try every flavour in one session.
DAY 3:
BRUSH
Build from what feels manageable
​
-
Use the brush and toothpaste combination that feels most comfortable.
-
If brushing is already manageable, continue your usual routine and notice whether the new products improve the experience.
-
If getting started is difficult, begin with an area that feels easiest. Gradually include more surfaces as comfort allows, working towards thorough brushing.
-
Agree a clear pause signal if someone is helping. Explain before touching the mouth and allow time to respond. Pause if the person becomes distressed.
-
A brief attempt can be a useful practice step, but it does not clean the whole mouth. If thorough brushing remains difficult, ask your dental team for help.
DAY 4:
REPEAT
Make the experience familiar
​​
-
Repeat what worked rather than adding another challenge.
-
Use the preferred flavour, a comfortable position and a familiar sequence. A mirror, visual reminder or quiet timer may help some people; others prefer fewer distractions.
-
If someone needs assistance, offer one instruction at a time and let them do the parts they can manage.
-
On a difficult day, return to something familiar. Notice whether pain, tiredness or a change in circumstances could be affecting the experience.
DAY 5:
MAKE IT YOURS
Keep what helps​
​
Look back at what you have learned:
-
Which toothpaste felt most comfortable?
-
Which brush and position worked best?
-
What helped with timing, surroundings or support?
-
What should happen differently next time?
​​
Choose one manageable next step. That might be cleaning another area, needing fewer prompts or making the routine more consistent.
​
Keep a short note of preferences, especially if different people provide support:
-
“My preferred flavour is…”
-
“It helps when…”
-
“I need a pause when…”
Five days is the beginning. Keep adapting the routine to the person.
Everyday Brushing
The usual aim is to brush every surface of the teeth with fluoride toothpaste for about two minutes, twice daily - last thing at night and on one other occasion. Spit out excess toothpaste rather than rinsing straight away.
​
Follow product directions and any individual dental advice. If prescribed a particular toothpaste, speak to your dental team before replacing it.
​
If there is pain, swelling, persistent bleeding or a sudden change in willingness to brush, contact a dental professional. If swallowing is difficult or assisted mouth care is complex, follow the person’s care plan and seek advice from their care team.
Tailored Advice
For myself
You decide what to try and when to pause. Change one thing at a time so you can identify what makes a difference.
​
If explaining your preferences is difficult, write them down or show someone this guide. You can ask for help with one part of brushing while keeping control of the rest.
For my child
Offer a small, real choice: “Which flavour shall we try?” or “Would you like to hold the brush first?”
Show the next step on your own teeth if that helps. Give your child time to respond, and acknowledge useful feedback: “Thank you for showing me that felt uncomfortable.”
​
Children under three need only a smear of toothpaste; children aged three to six need a pea-sized amount. Help or supervise brushing until at least age seven, and longer where needed.
​
Exploring the products is additional practice. Continue helping with everyday tooth cleaning, and ask your dental team for support if this is difficult.
For someone I support
Speak directly to the person. Explain what you are offering and seek permission before helping. Offer simple choices and allow time for a response.
​
Support them to do as much as they can themselves. Demonstrating a movement or giving a brief prompt may be more helpful than taking over.
​
For someone living with dementia, familiar products, a recognisable setting and one instruction at a time may help. Respond to how the person feels today rather than expecting them to remember yesterday’s steps.
​
Share preferences with other carers so support remains consistent. Follow the person’s mouth-care plan and your service’s consent procedures. If care cannot be completed, record what happened and seek appropriate support.
​
People with dentures, swallowing difficulties or complex mouth-care needs may need additional guidance beyond this toothbrushing plan.
