My 10yr old is very slack with brushing teeth and self care in general. In her case it’s refusal to listen and not bothering. She had 10 teeth & 2 molars surgically removed at age 4 and had 2 crowns placed due to her history of childhood neglect. I visit the dentist every half year and let the dentist chat to her. I have googled articles about the effect of skipping tooth brushing and made a fact sheet. I bought special timers and special tooth brushes. I’ve bought the book Karius & Bactus when she was younger. I suppose sometimes they have to learn the hard way.

AN electric toothbrush is always fun a book on what happens if you don’t brush your teeth , maybe he is tired and couldn’t be bothered . would he do them in the kitchen if he can see the tv

Wow, an 11yo that doesn’t want to brush his teeth! Usually it’s little trackers that refuse. Try a reward system, doesn’t have to cost anything, find something he enjoys doing and reward him with doing it. Rewards usually work for all ages

Get the drops from the chemist that show the plaque on his teeth and then show him pictures from google of cavities or toothless teens

Because this is recently he is avoiding, I suggest he visit the dentist. Brushing might be causing pain, however one would expect he would tell you. Is he suffering in silence because of fear at visiting the dentist? If it is just a “boy” thing, like some kids get into like we all will stop teeth brushing to belong in this club…..or whatever…kids make all manner of pacts! You could use a reward system, remove all his privileges and he earns them back by teeth brushing.
Good luck!

bribery. no internet or no ‘whatever treat he likes’ until he’s brushed his teeth.

Set him reward tokens.. Ie brush your teeth morning and night.. Earn points the. At the end of every week he gets a reward.

He is old enough to see some photo’s of people who haven’t cleaned there teeth. Google some. Dentist always helps too.

Agree a quick trip to the dentist always works

get him an electric tooth brush with some thing he likes on it like bat man, spider man, car also when he has to brush his teeth brush your at the same time beside him

Its good to read all these answers, I have a 5 year old who hates brushing her teeth as well

With mine, it was right in time for a check up with the dentist, there happened to be a hole that needed filling, the lovely nurse took my boy though how to brush and do everything better to prevent holes and it worked a treat.

Remove ipad, tv, footy games, favorite treats, or what ever he really likes and say everytime you don’t brush your teeth or fight with me over this you loose it.

I’ve had this probably with my 9 year old for the past year – I tell him constantly but he just doesn’t listen – would love to see some peoples tips

I had the same problem when my son was 11 years old. He did not like brushing his teeth. I took him to the dentist who showed him how to brush and floss properly. He even gave my son a toothbrush. Gentle encouragement is worth trying.