It seems impossible to keep kids these days away from technology. But did you know that your smartphone could actually help promote oral health for your children? Here are a few free apps that you may want to consider downloading next time your child brushes his or her teeth.
1. Time 2 Brush
This app is made by Aquafresh and geared towards children under seven.
It starts with a pea-sized squirt of toothpaste — called a Nurdle — giving your children directions on how to best brush all parts of their teeth. A timer counts down for two minutes while a catchy song plays. Two minutes is the key — that’s how long dentists recommend for the best results.
For every brushing he or she completes, your child earns points that can be used to customize his or her Nurdle. Multiple Nurdles can be saved, so everyone in your house can join in!
2. Brush DJ
This award winning, free, NHS approved app, with no adverts, plays two minutes of music, taken at random or from a playlist, from your device’s music library and has a visual display showing where to brush.
Brush DJ has been developed by a dentist for anyone wanting to help prevent gum disease and tooth decay to maintain a healthy smile and fresh breath.
Brush DJ works with any toothbrush and also allows you to set reminders to:
- Change your toothbrush every 3 months
- Brush twice a day
- Floss/clean interdentally every day
- Use a mouth rinse if appropriate
- Tell you when you need to visit the dentist
3. StarTeeth
The Star Teeth is yet another app that makes brushing fun for kids. Each day your child can pick a new brushing buddy, such as a princess or a superhero, as their assistant in proper brushing. Bored with their old friend? Your child can vote for his favorite and increase the chance that it will be included in the new gallery of buddies. You can make sure your child is brushing properly by checking the detailed instructions for teeth cleaning created on the basis of the latest recommendations by dentists.
4. Monster Mouth DDS
Monster Mouth DDS is a fun app that allows your child to become a dentist for monsters. Children will journey to different situations where they have to solve monsters’ dental problems before their mouth slams shut. Examples of problems that you have to solve can be examining X-rays to find hidden cracks or pull out creepy cavities with tongs.
5. Chomper Chums
Targeted to ages 4 to 11, Chomper Chums helps teach children proper oral hygiene and encourage them to practice it using three friendly characters—a horse, a lion and an alligator. After creating a profile by selecting a Chomper Chum character and naming him or her, users begin to practice brushing, flossing and rinsing. The app tracks these behaviors and wards coins and Super Smile Award points, which may be used to buy food and drinks for the Chomper Chums. Each oral hygiene practice is timed and animated as it guides children through each procedure. They can follow the toothbrush as it brushes each quadrant of the mouth for the recommended time, the floss as it gets between each tooth, and the water as it swishes around in each side of the mouth.
Visit your iTunes store for more information on each of these apps!
