With 6 children ages 6 and under, I spend a lot of time with personal hygiene. Unfortunately, not my own. I have 6 little mouths full of teeth that need brushing, faces that need washing, and bottoms that need cleaning. The day that my oldest son started to bathe himself and brush his own teeth was a major milestone! With 5 kids in diapers at that time, I was excited to get a break.
As a mother, I worry that my kids are growing up healthy and of course I want them to have clean, white teeth. I always worry about whether my kids are doing a good job when they brush. Once they gain that independence to do it themselves, I get to go back and check their work. I cringe at the thought of last night's chocolate chip cookie rotting away in my son's mouth. Ick.
I'm sure my kids aren't the only ones who rush through brushing their teeth. They never seem to be at the sink long enough to do a good job, and if they are at the sink long enough it usually means they are playing in the water and the bathroom is being flooded. Trust me on this one.
Sonicare for Kids is a fantastic new toothbrush for kids from the makers of the #1 dentist recommended brand of sonic toothbrushes. Sonicare for Kids combines the benefits of the adult Sonicare brushes with special features to encourage good hygiene in kids. Like the adult brushes, the patented sonic technology creates a gentle and powerful cleaning action that gets in between teeth and along the gums. My kids best describes this as "the tickles." It actually feels good to clean your teeth!
The new Sonicare for Kids brush is perfect for kids who are learning to brush on their own. The brush is designed for 4-10 year olds and my 6-year and 5-year old were eager to try it out. Both of my boys are brushing their own teeth but they do sometimes need me to go back and clean them again when they've not done a great job.
My favorite feature of the Sonicare for Kids brush is that it has a built-in times that teaches children proper brushing techniques. There are a series of musical notes that alert the child to switch between cleaning different areas of their mouth. My boys often need a reminder to clean the backs of their teeth and this brush teaches them to do that. It also encourages them to brush for a full 2 minutes by slowly increasing the length of time over 90 days. During that 2 minutes, there are 4 sets of musical notes that let them know to switch between brushing the outside of the lower teeth, inside of the lower teeth, outside of the upper teeth, and inside of the upper teeth. There's no place left for germs to hide!
I was impressed to see that the Sonicare for Kids brush has 2 different modes. The low mode is for ages 4 and up while the high mode is for ages 7 and up. My almost-but-not-quite 7-year old was proud to use the high mode while his younger brother used the low mode. In addition, they each had their own brush heads-one for younger kids and one for older kids. My only complaint is that the set only comes with 2 brush heads (one of each) with no room on the charging base to add more. With 6 kids to brush, we will need more in another few months!
My sons both love their new Sonicare brush and it shows. Their teeth have been perfectly clean since the brush arrived! The brush appeals to kids with 3 different, funky faceplates that can be changed as desired. My kids actually want to brush their teeth now. I feel good knowing that they are doing a good job and I have more time to take care of their twin brothers and twin sisters. We all win!
Would like to try a Sonicare for Kids toothbrush? (You know you would!) BlogHer is giving away a $100 Visa gift card for one of my lucky readers. You have a total of 10 chances to win a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer Reviewers, plus the chance to win a Sonicare prize pack on the BlogHer.com special offers page!
To enter, leave me a comment below and tell me:
How do you handle your kids' dental hygiene?
or leave a link to your post on your own blog in the comments below.
The contest will begin at 9:00 a.m. (PST) on 10/15/2009 and will end at 5 p.m. (PST) on 11/15/2009. Make sure that the email address you leave is correct.
Rules:
- No duplicate comments.
- You may receive an additional entry by linking on twitter and leaving a link in the comments.
- You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving a link in the comments.
- This giveaway is open to US-residents, 18 years of age or older
- Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
- You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
- Please see the official rules here: http://www.blogher.com/sonicare-kids-sweepstakes-official-rules"; target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Official rules
Official site
For my 13 month old we brush his teeth when his dad does b/c he loves to be with him by the sink. Also Fin LOVES to brush his teeth in the bath, which kills 2 birds with one stone.
ReplyDeleteJill isn't the biggest fan or brushing her teeth, but she is a fan of choices. So she has two tooth brushes and two kinds of thooth paste. Giving her options gives her ownership and that makes her want to brush her teeth.
ReplyDeleteThis tooth brush looks like an awesome choice!
My kids want to brush their teeth more than I want to let them....Oh, the mess! The will use a whole tube of toothpaste in a day if I don't hide it from them. I'm going to have to check out this toothbrush for sure.
ReplyDeleteFrom one mom to the next, you might want to check out Dentist.net They sell Sonicare too- but you can use their coupon for 5% off :D = Make5me
ReplyDeleteOur three year old isn't very good at brushing her teeth either. She still just sucks all the fluoride free toothpaste off her toothbrush. Do you think she is too young for the SonicCare? We have to have our turn on her teeth before she's done. I usually tell her I want to count her teeth in order to get her to open her mouth wide.
ReplyDeleteI brush my kids' teeth twice a day and use kid flossers on them nightly.
ReplyDeleteI blogged about this giveaway.
ReplyDeletehttp://grand-giveaways.blogspot.com/2009/10/visa-100-gift-card-sponsored-by_16.html
My 6-year-old uses a spinbrush and it seems to work well.
ReplyDeletemfalcon13 (at) hotmail (dot) com
My kids are pretty good about brushing their teeth. I try and make sure they brush every day
ReplyDeleteI use the sonicare. I think it is great that it is now offered for kids. It really does use a good job
My daughters are 6 and 5 and the rule is that they brush their teeth twice a day. In the morning, they get to do it themselves and in the evening, I do it for them. The dentist told us that kids can't effectively brush completely on their own until they are much older!
ReplyDeleteI have a Sonicare and am excited to see that they've introduced a children's version!
I let my three year old daughter play dentist and brush my teeth. This helps her to stay still while I brush her teeth!
ReplyDeletecute toothbrushes always seem to help with the chore, the ones with see through areas with floaty charms and glitter go over well!
ReplyDeleteI brush my daughter's teeth at night and use a fluoride rinse. She brushes her teeth in the morning and another time after lunch.
ReplyDeleteWhen my children were under the age of 4 I brushed their teeth twice a day..morning and night.
ReplyDeleteNot that they are all over the age of 5, the older ones brush their teeth, and the five year old brushes his teeth as well, but I also help him. Im still struggling with the flossing, but we will get there.
We brush twice a day with regular toothbrushes and Spry paste (my girls love it and it has xylitol - good for their teeth!) My girls are 19 months - just one set of twins for us.
ReplyDeleteI brush my girls' teeth twice a day with little brushes and Spry gel. They love it and would do it way more if I let them.
ReplyDeleteOnly one set of twins for us!
we have 4 mouths to brush here and i swear someone comes in at night and steals the toothbrushes and the toilet paper holders. i would love one of these or 4 of these toothbrushes. i will send a reminder. my dentist is cautious about electric toothbrushes. he says when it hits the gums, the kids stop. because it feels funny. so just make sure if you are using it that you make sure they are getting there gums well.
ReplyDeleteWe have the kids sing to each other – and when they are done with the song, they can stop brushing. Or you can actually use a timer too and have the kids set it.
ReplyDeletehernandez5621@netzero(dot)com
I make sure they brush and "swish" w/ a flouride rinse twice per day...
ReplyDeleteI handle my son's dental hygiene by making sure he brushes his teeth both morning and night.
ReplyDeleteThe agent cool blue has helped-they need to brush long enough to get it off their teeth. Gradually they are brushing longer, but is still takes work to get them to do it well.
ReplyDeleteWe have 4 children. The older 2, ages 7 & 9, do a pretty good job on their own. The 9 yr old actually uses my sonicare but has her own head for it. She has space maintaners and the sonicare is the only toothbrush that seems to get her teeth really clean. The younger 2, ages 2 and 4 mths, well we brush the 2 yr old's teeth when she will let us but most days she want s the brush herself. She chews on it a lot. I figure at least they are getting some brushing. The 4 mth old we use a washcloth to wipe her gums.
ReplyDeleteI bought toothbrushes that play a song so your child knows how long to brush. It works for us.
ReplyDeleteThat and regular dental visits!
We have slackers here, so teeth brushing is a struggle on a daily basis. We just have 2 monitor them 2 make sure they get the job done right.
ReplyDeletepkbailey@charter.net
we brush and floss every night (reach flosser is great), the mornings just never happen
ReplyDeletewe have a chart where they get to put a sticker if I floss them, that is the part they are not crazy about
My tip is to keep the toothbrushes in the kitchen. I can never get everyone into the bathroom at the same time, but everyone ends up in the kitchen at the same time!
ReplyDeletejillk77 at aol dot com
We have he littles take a turn and then we take a turn brushing. The dentist's office recommended having them lay down to brush, so when it is my turn to brush them I put them in the "mommy recline", they lean on me and I brush. They think it's pretty silly and fun and I can tell I am able to do a more through job.
ReplyDeleteI still brush my youngest ones' teeth (he's 15 months). But my 3 yr old, now that's another story. Usually, we have a bit of a struggle because he likes to play with the toothbrush and use it on everything but his mouth. Hopefully, this will get better.
ReplyDeleteI got them cartoon character electric toothbrushes since it seems easier and funnier for them to enjoy brushing teeth ritual. But I got to admit that Sonicare sounds like a better option for my next purchase if I need to get them new ones. And of course, dental visit every six months!
ReplyDeleteTweet http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/5265777145
ReplyDeletehttp://tcarolinep.blogspot.com/2009/10/giveaway-its-twinsanity-reviews.html blogged.
ReplyDeleteI make sure they brush their teeth twice a day. They also floss and use mouthwash. I make sure they do that because I don't want them to have and breath.
ReplyDeleteshopgurl101@gmail.com
tweeted: http://twitter.com/shopgurl/status/5353590703
ReplyDeleteblogged: http://sweetqt.wordpress.com/2009/11/01/giveaway-its-twinsanity-reviews/
ReplyDeleteThey brush their teeth every morning and every night. I try to add a little incentive by buying toothbrushes they like (barbie, mickey, etc) and flavored toothpaste. It seems to make it a wee bit easier and more enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteWe use character toothbrushes and timers!
ReplyDeleteclarissa at digitaldeacons dot com
My son (3 years old) is allowed to brush his own teeth, but he must let me "follow up". That way I'm letting him learn to clean them (he does pretty good), yet I know they are getting as clean as they need to be when I finish.
ReplyDeleteI have two boys, ages 3 and 15 months. I tend to brush teeth at night in the bath, because it's easier to kill two birds with one stone. I'm not very good about flossing... Hopefully I'll get better about it!
ReplyDeleteI would love one for my 3 yr old niece!
ReplyDeleteI have a grandson who is 19 months old, I have his toothbrush and toothpaste under the sink where he can reach it. After he eats he goes to the bathroom to wash his hands and brush his teeth. The only problem we have is getting him to finish up, he loves to brush his teeth. Sure hope he stays that way.
ReplyDeleteKathy
Each night we would pick what we were getting out of their teeth. Sometimes it was dinosaurs other times it was McQueen. It worked like a charm. Sometimes it was hard to brush because we were laughing so hard.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the sonicare. My husband and I both have one. I'm so glad they have a kids version!
ReplyDeleteI use the Braun spin brush on my 6yo surviving triplets right now. We brush 2x a day and while they do a pretty good job, they don't brush long enough and usually need me or DH to go back and clean some more.
Definitely going to look at he kids sonicare!
My 7 year old daughter Kylonna loves to have more than one toothbrush--more like 5-6. I worry that she isn't brushing long enough or getting all the surfaces, so this toothbrush looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteI pretty much have to hold my little kids down to brush their teeth.
ReplyDeletemysticmama3 at yahoo dot com
I brush my childrens' teeth until they are 9 yrs old and then I closely supervise their brushing. I have 3 kids and we have not had one cavity in 12 yearsLl! My husband and I use a sonicare and I was just thinking "out loud" how nice it would be if sonicare made a child's toothbrush. I was so excited to then see your review! Even if I don't win the contest, I'm going to look for them and buy them for my girls. Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteI brush my babies teeth (2 years), but I let the big boys (7 years)work on their own unless I know that they rushed through it and then I go back over them. I do try to floss occasionally.
ReplyDeletekathleenmires@hotmail.com
My girls are grown and handle their own dental care now. I do however have my grandsons living with me and they both love ‘tooth time’. Lil Man has his own special brush and toothpaste. He will brush for a while then I finish up for him. After he rinses he loves to smile really big and show his pearly whites. Lil Bit has just cut his first two teeth. Ever since he was born I would wash his gums with wash cloth but now that he has two front teeth I have a fingertip mini brush I use to brush those little teeth and we will slowly graduate him to a regular brush when he is older.
ReplyDeleteI find flavored floss and fun flavors of toothpaste are QUITE helpful!
ReplyDeletecarmensechristjunk at gmail dot com
Tweet: http://twitter.com/atlantagalknows/statuses/5491974773
ReplyDeletecarmensechristjunk at gmail dot com
We too have six children who are 6 years old and under. We have twin 6 year old girls, a 5 year old girl, a 3 year old girl, a 2 year old boy, and a 6 month old boy. I can relate to a "day in your life" pretty well. Our kids (with the exception of the six month old) brush their teeth after breakfast in the morning and before bed at night. I have tried many different kinds, brands, and styles of toothbrushes. So far none have held up or lasted more than few weeks. I would love to try these toothbrushes. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteThe rule is brush every morning and before bedtime and after every meal.
ReplyDeleteblogged http://theartofrandomwillynillyness.blogspot.com/2009/11/blogher-and-sonicare-giveaways.html
ReplyDeletetweeted http://twitter.com/carogonza/status/5509335584
ReplyDeleteWonderful opportunity for people with children. If I'm the lucky one I'll be giving this to my daughter as I just became a grandma in March.
ReplyDeleteI appreciated your candor when reviewing the product. It is refreshing.
http://twitter.com/TheGourmetGirl/status/5509421481
Elaine
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard for kids the older that they get to make sure that they are brushing their teeth:( I may be "mean" for doing what I do but it works: I tell my son that his teeth are starting to look yellow and that he needs to floss and brush:0
ReplyDeleteEven though my son is only 10 months, we still work on his dental hygiene! He has two little toothers on the bottom, and we use a "gum cleaner" to brush them!
ReplyDeleteTweet- http://twitter.com/joannagiveaway/status/5550556169
ReplyDeleteBlogged- http://pricemommysense.blogspot.com/2009/11/giveaway-monday.html
ReplyDeleteWe use brushing charts and timers! They work great!
ReplyDeletehttp://scsoldierswife.blogspot.com/2009/11/sonicare-contest.html
ReplyDeleteblogged
I try to make them brush twice a day but sometimes that just doesn't happen. We tried a reward system and that didn't seem to help. Maybe I need to invest in an electric toothbrush.
ReplyDeleteTweet!
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/simplyandreah/status/5606560804
We all have battery-powered toothbrushes and make brushing a family activity. We all squish into the bathroom and do it together ;)
ReplyDeleteI blogged: http://ridingwithnohands.com/november-8th-weekly-roundup/
ReplyDeleteI blogged!
ReplyDeletehttp://theleppers.blogspot.com/2009/11/free-stuff.html
The twins I have to remind to brush every morning, every night and then double check. Little man (2 yrs old) thinks getting his teeth brushed is sooo cool. He especially likes spitting in the sink - if only I could get him to quit spitting on the floor!
ReplyDeleteMy 8-year-old brushes his own teeth but I do check periodically to see if he's really doing it! We need electric toothbrushes.
ReplyDeleteIt's much easier now than during the preschool years! We use a mini hourglass shaped timer for teeth brushing followed by floss and rinse. Twice a year I let the dentist critique and give pointers.
ReplyDeleteMy baby is still young, but we are already letting her see my Husband and me brushing our teeth so it becomes a normal part of everyday life.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I both use sonic care, but I haven't gotten them for our little guys yet. (3.5) still doing their teeth by hand.
ReplyDeleteMy 10 month old has seven teeth, and it is all I can do to try to get a little baby toothbrush or washcloth in his mouth. He is so independent that I think he will really enjoy brushing, once he can do it himself!
ReplyDeleteMy kids are as-yet hypothetical. I hope I will be able to get them to brush diligently and floss carefully with horror stories about what will happen if they don't. Actually, my mom has spent more time in dental chairs than anyone I know (due to genetic factors, not lack of care on her end), so maybe I'll let Grandma handle this one!
ReplyDeleteI handle my kids dental hygiene by nagging them all the time. They seem unable to remember to brush on their own - even my 13 year old.
ReplyDeleteI blogged
ReplyDeletehttp://lunaj1456.blogspot.com/2009/11/giveaway-from-sonicare-and-blogher.html
I tweeted
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/lunaj1456/status/5725247057
We use an electric toothbrush as well, an Oral B because the smaller brushhead is easier to get into a three year olds mouth.
ReplyDeleteWe have a 2-year-old who sometimes loves brushing and often does not. We try various tricks to get him to open his mouth and keep it open long enough to get all the surfaces brushed.
ReplyDeletemail AT HoboMama.com
I need this for my 4 year old! He has some major issues with his teeth, and can't handle a regular tossable vibrating brush! It is a nightmare to try and brush his teeth! We try and do a choo choo game and visit everyone we know, and they each live in one of his teeth!
ReplyDeleteGreat giveaway!
Pain in the tushie though it is, I sit criss-cross applesauce (gag) on the floor while they lay back and I dry brush then floss - then they go brush at the sink with flouride toothpaste. We use regular cheap brushes because I change them about once a month.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win one of these for my boys. We handle brushing by using one of those toothbrushes that blink for a minute while they brush (so that they will brush long enough). This sounds like an awesome brush!
ReplyDeleteI tweeted: twitter.com/mamajourney
ReplyDeleteI blogged: http://mamajourney.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/sonicare-kids-toothbrush-or-100-visa-card-giveaway/
ReplyDelete