Have you ever asked your children, “Did you brush your teeth?”
Maybe your son or daughter said, “Yes,” but you were not convinced. You know you just told them to brush, and they were barely in the bathroom longer enough to turn the water on and off.
Being a parent is hard. You can’t take a break like you can from you job.
But maybe there is help, at least with getting your kids to brush and floss.
At Beaumont Family Dentistry in Lexington, we will show you and your kids how to brush, and we can even explain why you should when you come for your regular cleanings and examinations.
To keep your mouth healthy, maybe your smartphone or tablet can help you and your children. We know what you might be thinking, and yes, there really is an app for that.
Teeth brushing apps
These apps won’t brush your kids teeth for them (at least not yet), but they can guide your kids through the process of how to brush and floss.
The American Dental Association recommends that you should brush for two minutes twice a day and you should floss once a day.
Think about it, do your kids brush for two full minutes? (Do you? A lot of adults don’t either.)
Even if you said yes, are you sure you brush for two minutes each time? You can always set a timer, but these apps just might give your kids (and maybe you) a more fun way to pass the time.
All of these apps are available for free in the Apple App store (for iPhones and iPads) or the Google Play Store (for Android smartphones and tablets):
• Aquafresh Brush Time — Try turning brushing into a game where your kids get prizes and reward every time they brush. With this app, your kids can create their own “Nurdle.” By brushing, your kids get points they can use to get special items for their nurdle. The app even plays an encouraging song while your kids are brushing.
• Chomper Chums — This app, created by United Concordia Dental, is similar to the Brush Time app in that your kids can pick a character of their own. In this case, they can choose between three animal characters. By following along with the animations, your kids will be guided through brushing and flossing. When they do, they will get points that they can trade for treats for their animals.
• Brush DJ — Dentists in Britain developed this app, which can connect to the music library on your phone or tablet. When you turn it on, the app can play two minutes of your music. You or your kids just have to keep brushing until the music stops. This app can also remind you about your next appointment to see one of our dentists.
• Disney Magic Timer — If telling your kids to brush isn’t working, let Disney help. This app was created with Oral-B, so you will need to purchase certain Oral-B and Crest products for it to work. Your kids use a smartphone or tablet to scan the product, which starts two minutes of entertainment with their favorite Disney characters while they brush.
These are just some of the free apps you can find that may help your kids stay motivated to brush and floss every day, and for the right amount of time. (If you want to use them, too, we promise not to tell anyone.)
Brushing correctly
Whether you use an app or not, it’s important to review the ADA recommendations for brushing correctly. You can also review a video here to see a demonstration.
First, get a toothbrush with soft bristles, and use a fluoride toothpaste.
As we mentioned earlier, brush for two minutes each time. Divide your mouth into quarters, brushing the teeth in that section for 30 seconds before moving on to another section. After two minutes, you will have brushed all your teeth.
When brushing, hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle. Use gentle pressure as you make short strokes to brush all sides of your teeth. If you brush too hard, you may hurt your gums.
When you are finished brushing your teeth, brush your tongue. This keeps your breath fresh and it removes even more bacteria from your mouth.
Stay healthy
Daily brushing and flossing and regular appointments at one of our three Lexington offices are a great way to keep your mouth healthy and your teeth intact.
Don’t forget to brush and remember to make an appointment for you and your family at Beaumont Family Dentistry. Call today at 859-554-1772, 859-554-1612, or 859-554-4049 or use our online form to set up your next visit.