That space-age cartoon family the Jetsons had an easy time brushing their teeth because a robotic apparatus armed with a toothbrush would pop out of the wall and handle the job with a flourish.
Our 21st century reality isn’t quite that advanced, but technology is making strides, especially when it comes to helping children overcome their poor tooth-brushing habits. A variety of high-tech brushes, apps and virtual assistants are beginning to remove the tedium from brushing and, with any luck, will produce better smiles and fewer cavities.
“If you can turn brushing into a game rather than a chore, that increases the chances of your children developing good habits,” says Dr. Jamie Reynolds (www.AskDrReynolds.com), an orthodontist, national and international lecturer, and author of World Class Smiles Made in Detroit.
“The goal is to get them to care for their teeth so they will last a lifetime. If techie devices can help you accomplish that, then all the better.”
A few examples include:
Toothbrushes with a high-tech twist. You can always go with a regular or electric toothbrush that features a favorite cartoon character, but some brushes take things to another level. Just a couple of examples are the Firefly Lightup Timer Toothbrush and the GUM Crayola Timer Light brush. These brushes have lights that flash for the minimum time a child should brush. “The light lets the child know when they should stop, so this is a fun way for them to know they have brushed the right amount of time and haven’t stopped too soon,” Reynolds says.
Apps that promote healthy teeth and gums. A toothbrush called Grush is interactive and lets children play games through an app while they brush. There are also apps for phones and tablets that work independently of the toothbrush while encouraging good oral-health habits. One that’s free is the Toothsavers Brushing Game in which an evil sorceress casts a spell that will cause everyone’s teeth to rot.
Children join forces with Toothy and the Toothsavers to break the spell. Another free app for older children is Brush DJ, which plays two minutes of a song from your phone. The idea is to keep brushing until the song ends.
Virtual assistants as oral-health helpers. Alexa can do more than answer oddball questions or make phone calls for you. The famed virtual assistant also can help encourage your children to brush. For example, one app for Alexa is called Chompers. When children are ready to brush, they simply say, “Alexa, start Chompers,” and they hear songs, stories, fun facts, riddles and jokes that keep them brushing for two minutes. Another Alexa app is called Bye Bye Cavities and guides children as they vanquish an evil Cavity Family by making sure each tooth is brushed.
All of these technological wonders can help parents, but none of this lets them off the hook completely. Mom and Dad play a critical in establishing the habits children need for healthy teeth, Reynolds says, with or without aid from Alexa or Toothy and the Toothsavers.
“Modeling good oral health behavior yourself is one of the best ways to show your child just how important good oral hygiene is,” he says. “Your child should know that you brush and floss, see your dentist regularly, and avoid eating too many sugary snacks. You need to be doing exactly what you’re telling your child to do.”
About Dr. Jamie Reynolds
Dr. Jamie Reynolds (www.AskDrReynolds.com) is recognized on an annual basis as one of the top orthodontists in metro Detroit. His book,World Class Smiles Made in Detroit, puts an emphasis on the many benefits of having a great smile. Reynolds – who is a national and international lecturer on high-tech digital orthodontics and practice management – attended the University of Michigan for both his undergrad education and dental studies, and did his orthodontic residency at the University of Detroit-Mercy.
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