Parents face a daily battle to get kids to do everyday chores (Image: Getty Images)
Parents waste the equivalent of 10 full days a year negotiating with their children over chores and hygiene, according to research. A poll of 2,000 mums and dads with children aged six to 11 found parents spend 38 minutes a day battling with youngsters to get them to tidy their rooms (60%), get ready (54%) and do their homework (51%).
Parents also said they spend an average of eight minutes a day trying to convince their child to brush their teeth. However, parents estimate they win only 65% of their debates. As a result, 47% have tried to make chores more appealing, with 81% of those turning tasks into a game.
A spokesperson for Oral-B, which commissioned the research following the launch of its Oral-B iO Kids Electric Toothbrush featuring a MARVEL Spider-Man design, said: “Many parents resort to bizarre negotiation techniques to get their child to do what they want.
“Sometimes it can feel like you aren’t getting anywhere, but being persistent is the key. Giving your children the freedom to make their own decisions is important, but as a parent you are there to guide them to the right one.”
The study found just 27% of parents said their children brush for two minutes every time, while one in five (20%) admitted carrying out ‘quality control’ to make sure it has been done properly. Despite this, 59% said they have caught their children lying about brushing their teeth.
The findings from Oral-B’s research come after The National Dental Epidemiology Programme (NDEP) for England’s 2025 oral health survey of five-year-old schoolchildren revealed that a shocking 82% had an untreated decayed tooth, with an average of 3.5 teeth affected per child.
Children in the most deprived areas are disproportionately affected, being more than twice as likely to experience dentinal decay compared to those in the least deprived areas.
The NDEP research also found tooth decay remains the leading cause of hospital admissions for children aged five-nine in England. In 2024/2025, 21,162 children in this age group were admitted to hospital due to tooth decay, surpassing admissions for acute tonsillitis.
Oral-B has launched a new toothbrush designed to make brushing easier and more enjoyable for children, with gentle micro-vibrations, a dentist-inspired round brush head, a gum pressure sensor, and a two-minute music timer which connects to the Disney Magic Timer App.
Dentist, Sarovi Davda, said: “As both a parent of young children and a dentist with special interest in periodontitis (gum disease), I know that getting children to brush properly isn’t always easy, but it’s one of the most important investments we can make in their future oral health.
“Many parents don’t realise that when adult teeth first erupt, from around the age of six, they enter a unique window of opportunity.
“During the first few years after eruption, the enamel is still maturing, making these teeth especially responsive to the protective benefits of fluoride but also more vulnerable to damage from dental plaque.
“The habits children develop during this time can influence the health of their teeth for decades to come. Tooth decay and gum disease are both largely preventable, and good brushing habits are the foundation for preventing both.
“Toothbrushes that make brushing fun and engaging can help children brush for longer and more effectively, making it easier for families to build healthy routines that last a lifetime.”
THE 10 MOST COMMON THINGS PARENTS NEGOTIATE WITH CHILDREN ABOUT
- Tidying their room
- Brushing teeth
- Getting ready
- Doing their homework
- Getting dressed for school
- Doing chores
- Turning down their device
- Eating vegetables
- Putting shoes on
- Drinking water