Brushing teeth is a real pain when you’re five years old. When you’re a parent trying to make sure your five-year-old is doing it well or often enough, it’s an even bigger pain. Sometimes it takes an app with games, characters, music, and rewards to make it more fun for kids and parents alike.Here are five apps that make dental health fun and easy for kids:

Disney Magic Timer by Oral-B

Brushing is more exciting when you can do it with characters from your favorite movies. Scan any Crest or Oral-B Pro-Health Stages product to reveal characters like Olaf, Darth Vader, Belle, Cinderella, and many others. Collect a new digital sticker after each successful two minutes of brushing; track progress with stars and milestone badges on the Brushing Calendar.

  • Encourages kids to brush for two minutes twice daily.
  • Shows proper technique.
  • Rewards for daily brushing.

Price: free

Ages: 4+

Available: iTunes store and Google Play

Toothsavers Brushing Game Offered by Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives

Good brushing habits can be an adventure. In this app, an evil sorceress has cast a wicked spell, leaving everyone’s mouths to rot and be overrun by cavities. Kids have two minutes to brush and scrub away the spell for each of the kingdom’s quirky inhabitants. For every few days your kids brush, they’ll unlock a new Toothsaver to brush with. Brush for 30 days and they’ll have the chance to defeat the evil sorceress herself!

  • Encourages kids to brush for two minutes twice daily.
  • Kids can practice brushing on fun characters.
  • Rewards for daily brushing.
  • Parents can designate daily brushing time and monitor progress.

Price: free

Ages: 4+

Available: iTunes store and Google Play

Brush DJ

This app makes brushing fun even for older children. Play two minutes of music from your

Price: free

Ages: 4+

Available: iTunes store and Google Play

devices, cloud, or streaming services. Kids can choose the color of the screen and timer to match their toothbrush, bathroom, or they can just pick their favorite color combinations.

My Teeth All Inclusive

Learn to brush teeth while imitating one of four different characters. Kids get to choose the character and parents get to choose the brushing sequence for the character to follow. Kids enjoy listening to music and watching the timer count down three minutes while they brush.

  • Encourages kids to brush for three minutes twice daily.
  • Shows proper technique.
  • No need for in-app purchases.

Price: $1.99

Ages: 4+

Available: iTunes

My Bright Smile By Colgate-Palmolive Company

The Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® program is now an educational app. Kids learn to brush twice and floss daily by playing five games, including “Visit the Dentist,” “Swipe the Sweets” and “Brush the Teeth.” There’s even a two-minute song that will help keep your kids brushing until every tooth is cleaned.

  • Encourages kids to brush for two minutes twice daily.
  • Teaches kids about healthy eating.
  • Encourages proper technique.

Price: free

Ages: 4+

Available: iTunes and Google Play

Help your kids practice the correct (and fun) way to brush and floss to maintain healthy teeth and gums. If you have questions, contact our Lady’s Island dentist office @ 843-986-0177.