Children don't always like to keep their teeth looking their best. I know in my home, there have been plenty of fights over brushing and flossing at the proper times and for the right amount of time. There are simple things you can do however, which will help motivate your kids to help them keep their smiles healthy and bright. The five tips below are just a few of the things we have found useful in our home.

1. Get a Timer

Having a timer that your children can set will help them learn how long they should be brushing their teeth. Many children fail to brush their teeth for a full recommended two minutes because they loose focus or get bored. Having a recording of your child's favorite song that is roughly two minutes long can also help them know how long to brush and keep them occupied while doing it.

2. Get Fun Supplies

Brushing and flossing are not tasks that children consider to be fun. We have found that it is much easier to get them to brush if they enjoy it. That is why I let each of my boys pick out their own brushes. Some have Spiderman, others have Spongebob and my youngest has a Hotwheels brush. Our flossers are in fun animals shapes and my oldest has an electric tooth brush. All of these things let them enjoy the experience of taking care of their teeth more.

3. Chew Sugar Free Gum

It is a proven fact that chewing a sugar free gum such as Trident for 20 minutes after a meal can help your children fight cavities. This is a win win situation, as it helps you keep their mouths clean and healthy and it allows them to have a special treat that they enjoy.

4. Add Incentives

If you have a child that is really stubborn or forgetful and you are finding it hard to get them motivated to keep their teeth clean, then you may want to add some incentive. The only way I could get my oldest to brush his teeth was to keep a chart in the bathroom and have him check it off every morning and night. Eventually it became habit and he earned extra priveleges for taking care of him teeth!

5. Don't Shower Them With Sugar

We  like dessert just like every other family, but that  doesn't mean that you have to shower your kids with sugar. Try giving out less sugary snacks and replace their drinks with water except at meal times. My boys get a sweet treat for dessert, but cookies and cakes are rarely seen any other time of the day. 

The ideas above are just a few of the ways you can help motivate your kids to have a bright and healthy smile. Visit Trident on Facebook for more great tips and for some awesome money saving coupons on sugar-free gum! 

What do you do to help keep your children's teeth looking their best? 

*I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Trident blogging program, making me eligible to get a $25 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.