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When brushing teeth is hard

A silly short cartoon about one toothbrush and a choice, starring your child. Watch it together at a calm time, then talk.

An example story beginning for this moment. It is not a cartoon of your own story.

Cartoons are made with AI. You preview each one before your child sees it. Automatic checks can miss things.

Illustration, made with AI: a boy on a step stool at the sink hides his toothbrush behind his back while his mom waits beside him, a small dog sits on the bath mat, and a glowing firefly holds a tiny toothbrush like a microphone.
Illustration, made with AI

Let's imagine

Example, made with AI

Leo (4) stands at the sink and hides his toothbrush behind his back. His mom smiles and waits. Then Leo sings to the brush in a tiny voice: "Hello, little brush, good morning." Mom asks, "Top teeth or bottom teeth first?" Leo points down. Mom helps him begin, slowly. Biscuit sits on the bath mat and watches. Leo hums his silly line again, and Mom hums along.

The characters in this example are made up. Your child can be the hero, with or without a photo.

What happens in the story

In the example above:

  • Leo hides his toothbrush, and Mom smiles and waits.
  • He turns the brush into a silly friend with a song.
  • Mom offers a choice: top teeth or bottom teeth first. Leo picks.
  • Mom helps him begin, and they hum the silly line together.

Talk-after card

Here are three gentle questions to talk about after this example. Best watched together, then followed by a chat or a game.

  1. What did Leo do with his toothbrush at first?
  2. What did Leo sing? What did Mom ask?
  3. What silly line would you sing to your toothbrush? You can make one up, or pick a different way.

Use the ones that feel right. Skip any you like.

What a cartoon can and can't do

  • A cartoon can't do the brushing. Wait for your child, and let them choose where to start.
  • Every family has its own pace.
  • Each Zubby cartoon is made to be talked about together. It can't do the work of routine, patience or your child's doctor.
  • If you are worried about your child's sleep, eating, fears or behavior, talk to your child's doctor, nurse or teacher.