Getting children to brush their teeth properly can be a real challenge for parents. Most kids don’t enjoy the process and would rather not clean their teeth at all. Unfortunately, bad habits learned in the early years can last a lifetime and lead to tooth decay and gum disease. It is important to gently teach your child how important teeth cleaning is to their health. One of the best ways to encourage good dental health habits is to make teeth cleaning as fun as possible.

5 ways to make teeth cleaning fun.

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Use music and video.

Kids love to sing and dance, introducing them to some teeth cleaning songs can really encourage great habits. A great choice is Elmo’s Brushy Brush song. For the video, the Sesame St muppet enlists some A list celebs, Bruno Mars, Nicole Kidman and Naomi Watts. Watch the video and sing along with the lyrics below.

Use fun toothpaste.

It can be hard work trying to entice children to clean their teeth properly. Sometimes it is the taste, texture or sensation of using toothpaste that is off-putting. Try using a fun toothpaste that captures the child’s imagination instead. Sunstar Gum Crayola Squeeze-A-Color toothpaste is a novel solution. Each pack comes with three different tubes of toothpaste, each with their own flavor and color. Kids can choose their favorite or mix them together to create their own unique flavor. The three tubes of toothpaste included are Melon Blast (Red), Blueberry Burst (Blue), Jazzy Apple (Green). All three flavors contain fluoride and are suitable for children 2 years and over.

Experiment with different flavored toothpastes. There are some yummy flavors available. Always stress to children that toothpaste must be spat out after cleaning and not swallowed, no matter how tasty they may be.

Try a fun toothbrush.

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Using Teeth Cleaning Apps

Interactive teeth cleaning apps can be a great tool for inspiring kids to take better care of their teeth. The Sonicare For Kids app is a perfect example of using mobile technology to help youngsters achieve better dental health. By diligently brushing their teeth kids can earn enough points to play and interact with Sonicare’s cuddly funster Sparkly. The app is free and works in conjunction with the Bluetooth enabled Sonicare For Kids electric  toothbrush.

Electric Power Flossing.

Manual flossing is extremely difficult for children, getting them to brush their teeth can be challenging but getting them to floss properly can seem impossible. One solution is to try using an electric water flosser like the waterpik for kids WP-260. Using a power flosser can dramatically improve oral health by cleaning the inter-dental areas and gum pockets in a way that manual flossing can’t. The Waterpik WP-260 is especially designed for kids with its extra-safe construction and funky green colors. The unit is also shipped with a set of sticky transfers so the children can decorate the flosser themselves.

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If you have any novel ideas for making teeth cleaning fun, please let us know.