It’s been said a million times, and for good reason—healthy dental habits throughout the first few years are critical for continued proper dental care. This helps ensure that your child grows up with good oral health. It is wise that children be taught during the first stages in life the importance of brushing and flossing their teeth regularly.
Educating children to practice these healthy habits can be a tough experience, but it’s an important one. Below are some tricks and tips to help!
One of the most effective educational tools is technology.
Nowadays, kids can’t get enough of technology. With new apps being tested daily on the market, there are plenty that can make cleaning teeth fun. The following is a list of the top five free oral hygiene applications. Check them out!
- Disney Magic Timer
“90% of kids brush longer with the Disney Magic Timer app,” according to Oral-B. On this app, kids can choose from Disney characters, such as Mickey Mouse, to brush with. The character is revealed gradually as the child brushes their teeth. While that is happening, upbeat music can be heard while a Mickey Mouse timer counts down the minutes for brushing. This app can be used with Crest or Oral-B Pro-Health Stages products. - My Bright Smile
Colgate designed five cool interactive oral hygiene games for kids to instill correct dental hygiene habits. - Brusheez—The Little Monsters Toothbrush Timer
This application encourages, through interactive characters, teeth brushing and proper dental health. With a customizable avatar, it allows the experience to be more relatable to children and encourages them to take part in their teeth brushing time. The timer counts how long the child and avatar should brush their teeth together. - Happy Touch App
The years 1-3 can be difficult for getting toddlers to brush their teeth. This app utilizes interactive animals to teach healthy dental care by having children take care of their companion’s dental health. The company markets this app as an educational resource to teach toddlers to use skills such as concentration and patience to understand healthy living. - Brush Teeth With Momo
This app has a cool feature—Brush Momo Mode. While your child is getting their teeth brushed, your child can brush Momo’s teeth on the screen! Frequent use of the app grants points. Those points can be used to dress Momo in cool outfits and make snacks for Momo.
To learn more methods to encourage your kids with proper dental health, call Dr. Levine to schedule an appointment here.