Child using a tablet at the dentist’s office
So, it’s that time of the night again, right around 8 pm when you start getting your kids ready for bed. You ask them to go brush their teeth while you finish folding laundry, but when you go check on them a few minutes later, they’re still in the same positions on the couch. So you ask them again, a little more firmly this time, and head into the kitchen to start on the next day’s school lunches. When you go check on them a second time, they still haven’t budged! At this point, you’re ready to throw in the towel and find yourself wondering (again) how you can motivate your kids to brush their teeth. Does any of this sound familiar? If so, let a children’s dentist explain how some great new apps can finally help you win this nightly battle.
How Can an App Help Your Kids Have Good Oral Health?
As nearly any parent in this day-and-age knows, children are extremely comfortable with technology. If it rings, dings or lights up, you’ve got their attention! Why not use that to your advantage and let it motivate your kids to take good care of their teeth?
Here are several apps that can not only help your child feel comfortable going to the dentist, but can also help you win the nightly “brushing battle:”
- Tiny Dentist – Your child can pretend to be a dentist by doing various “procedures” – they also get to choose from multiple characters and themes.
- Disney Magic Timer – As your child brushes, a character brushes along with them. When they’re done, they collect a photo “sticker” that goes in their sticker album. This app encourages brushing twice a day for two minutes.
- Brush DJ – This plays any song of your choice from your phone for two minutes to help kids brush thoroughly. You can also set reminders that go off twice a day.
- Brusheez Tooth Brushing Timer – This app uses amazing 3D characters in an interactive game to make brushing more fun.
- Toothsavers – This is a game where children brush the teeth of various medieval characters, “saving” their teeth from the spells of an evil sorceress!
What Is the Importance of Establishing Good Habits Now?
With all the worries of parenthood, it may seem easy to put oral health at the bottom of the priority list. However, over the last 10-20 years research has clearly shown the connection between good oral health and overall health.
In addition, even if your kids aren’t perfect with their brushing and flossing habits now, you’re planting seeds of behavior that they’ll carry with them their entire lives. As they grow into adults, the idea that you brush twice a day and floss each night will seem like second nature. Not to mention that they’ll feel comfortable going to the dentist for regular checkups.
By taking advantage of this time to establish healthy patterns while your kids are young, you’re setting them up for a lifetime of vibrant smiles. And with modern technology on your side, you’ll find it easier than ever!
About the Author
Dr. Charles Walker is a general, restorative and children’s dentist in Salt Lake City who is dedicated to helping his pediatric patients have a lifetime of healthy smiles. He firmly believes that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and enjoys working with both children and parents together to prevent problems rather than treat them. He can be contacted with questions via his website, or at (801) 467-6886.