Make brushing more fun

Do you know that tooth brushing is one of the most overlooked must-do daily activities of man?

Here are a couple of random trivia I got online to prove this point: (a) One in four adults admit they don’t brush twice a day, including a third of men and (b) One in ten admit they regularly forget to brush their teeth.

I just hope people are aware that brushing only once a day means your 33% more likely to develop tooth decay. Worse if you fail to brush your teeth the whole day.

Now here are some tips on how can you make brushing more fun for the family especially for your kids. If you want a fun toothbrushin' experience, just think of COLGATE.

Create a good example. You can't make your kids follow your instructions to brush their teeth every after meal if you yourself don't practice this. Remember the old saying "Kung ano ang puno, sya rin ang bunga" in simple layman's term just brush teeth regularly so they'll do the same.

Organize a game. Be creative in encouraging the young ones to create a habit of brushing their teeth regularly and at the same time it will be a bonding moment of the family. As they say, "the family that brush their teeth together, plays together" or something to that effect.

Let your kids practice on stuffed toys. Sometimes, kids tend to be a little tentative in doing things on their own so why not ask them to let their favorite teddy bear or doll try brushing first. Just make sure the doll is not battery operated otherwise this might be an electrifying experience.

Give rewards to your children for brushing their teeth properly and on time. A good job deserves a pat on the back and something extra special like simple stuff like stickers or a burger or an ice cream treat. Make sure to brush your teeth after that sweet treat, of course.

Add music and dance while brushing. It's fun to see your kids do a little jiggy and wiggle while brushing. Once the fun element is included in this activity, expect this as an every day moment they'll be looking forward to. I just don't know with my cousin who sings "I cant smile without you" by Barry Manilow every time he brushes his teeth before putting his dentures inside a glass.

Tell them to help you brush your teeth. It will also help kids build confidence that they can do things like brushing on their own if you let them do this for you because you trust them. Of course, when they brush your teeth, let them use yours. Just make sure they don't hit your wisdom tooth.

Encourage kids to use a brush with their favorite cartoon character. It also helps for kids to get excited while brushing when they see their favorite characters on their toothbrush. The good news is that Colgate, a trusted international brand in oral healthcare, has come out with cartoon-inspired toothbrush and toothpaste products.