making oral care fun!

Do you know that 50 percent of children will have a cavity or filling between the ages of 5 and 9? In addition to feeding your kids healthy and nutritious food, it is also extremely important for them to develop healthy oral-hygiene habits at a young age.

So when kids respond to your "go brush your teeth" requests with what seems like a challenging "why?" or "do I have to?" they are not necessarily trying to undermine your authority--they might actually be searching for a reason. Keep in mind that your kids may not fully understand the importance of daily dental care routines like brushing teeth because they can't see the immediate or long-term benefits.

To get your kids on the right track when it comes to smart oral care, try making it more fun for them (and you!) with these tips.

Floss once a day and brush and rinse twice a day, every day. Share the experience with your kids. When leading by example, your kids are likely to imitate behavior and make oral hygiene feel less like a "kid thing." You may want to brush your kids' teeth at least once a week to demonstrate and make sure back teeth and gums are not being neglected.

Empower your kids by letting them choose a fun, colorful toothbrush made just for them, a cool and flavored toothpaste, and type of floss, so brushing will become less of a power struggle. Then keep the bathroom stocked with these favorite oral care goodies.

Help your kids develop proper oral care habits and make it fun by incorporating pre- and post-brush rinses in their oral care regimen. Try different kinds of children's mouthwash to catch pesky food particles and germs that toothbrushing can leave behind.

To further boost motivation, tack or tape a few photos of your kids' favorite role models, heroes, movie or TV stars, or singers--flashing their pearly whites, of course--onto the bathroom wall. This will remind your kids that a bright smile not only goes a long way in Hollywood and elsewhere, but it is also a great way to brighten up each day.

Turn the oral care routine into a funny-face contest or make it a Simon Says game by calling out different parts of the mouth. The whole family will complete the routine and see who can go the longest without laughing!

Brushing, flossing, and rinsing can all be rhythmic activities. Play some of your kids' favorite music so they can enjoy their oral care routines. On average, brushing should last about two minutes and rinsing 60 seconds. Together these activities may last the length of a typical song.

And remember to take your kids to visit their dentist regularly. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD) recommends parents schedule an appointment with a dentist as soon as the first tooth appears.