Good dental hygiene is one of the most important things for kids to learn, but given their short attention span and general resistance to anything that resembles a ‘duty’ or a parental requirement, getting them to comply can become a bit of a minefield.
Luckily, kids love to play games and have fun and when these are combined with technology, the result is a powerful teaching tool. There are many apps available which teach kids to brush their teeth - and here’s a snapshot of some of the best ones out there.
1. BRUSH MY TEETH
Kids will love learning about how to brush their teeth with Scruffy and his friends. They feed Scruffy some food and then brush away the dirt and with the catchy music, a game mode and task timer, it’s great for setting a daily routine.
2. TOOTHBRUSH TIME WITH ICKY and ICKY’S TOOTHBRUSH PLAYTIME
This app featured prominently in the 2014 Family and Parent Choice Awards and also won a NAPPA gold award and TeachWithApps award - so it’s a real winner! Great for toddlers up to the age of five, this app uses fun, silly and engaging animations to help kids learn about personal hygiene. It also has a parents’ dashboard to monitor the child’s learning.
3. TOOTHBRUSHING CALENDAR AND TIMER
This review says it all: “I was having trouble getting my two kids to brush their teeth every day, but after using this app, both children now look forward to brushing their teeth!! What a relief!! The weekly motivational picture works perfectly, especially being able to pick the ‘reward’ ourselves! Highly recommended.”
4. T-REX TOOTHBRUSH TIMER
This app is a useful educational tool which uses funky music, graphics, a timer and fun mini game to encourage, educate and entertain. It helps kids learn to brush their teeth properly and get into a routine by visually showing them how to brush their teeth (Dino covers all four quadrants of his mouth using sound effects) and how long they should brush for.
It featured in the UK top 30 Health and Fitness paid apps (Jan 2013) and got a mention in the Daily Telegraph. And if that doesn’t inspire you, read this five-star rating and review: “My kids (5 and 7) have always hated brushing their teeth. They rush it. They skip when they think we’re not looking. We’ve had this app for 3 weeks and the LOVE it. They beg to brush their teeth. It is wonderful.”
5. HAPPY TEETH, HEALTHY KIDS - TOOTHBRUSHING
This app presented by TabTale, claims it is the best tooth brushing game on the app store. It was developed alongside certified paediatric dentists and experienced educators and features seven educational and creative games and activities to encourage children to care for their teeth, brush regularly, remove bacteria and identify healthy foods that keep their teeth strong.
These are just a few of the many apps available which are designed to teach children to brush their teeth and they can be extremely helpful and effective.
However, the very best app for any parent or caregiver when it comes to teaching kids about dental hygiene is an ‘APPointment’ with a professional dentist.
Nothing is more effective than face-to- face interaction with a qualified, friendly and caring dental practitioner who knows exactly what to say to kids about the importance of brushing their teeth regularly and properly and how to show them the correct techniques. Good dental specialists, like those who work at the family-friendly Rockingham Dental Centre, have plenty of experience with children and they know how to allay any misgivings and motivate and encourage them to look after their teeth. So go on, have fun with apps, but make that all important ‘APPointment’ with a dentist too!
Agree (0)
Disagree (
__small.png)
