Parents

are also stocking up on a new, tasty bubble-gum flavored toothpaste from

Reach. Just in time for Halloween and the release of the Harry Potter

movie, the company has launched a Harry Potter-themed toothpaste and a

toothbrush to enable kids to become wizards at caring for their teeth.

They're both now available at drugstores and mass merchandisers.

These

two products can help parents follow the advice of Lana Rozenberg D.D.S.:

"The main objective in proper oral hygiene for young children is

making it fun by using games and other fun activities."

Here

are more ways parents can make brushing fun and effective for their youngsters:

Keep

toothpaste usage minimal. Young children tend to swallow most of the toothpaste

which can cause permanent spots on their teeth, a condition called dental

fluorosis.

Children

need supervision and help until they are between six and eight years of

age to ensure a thorough cleaning and minimal swallowing.

Never

miss bedtime brushing. If you do, bacteria that feeds off sugar and causes

cavities will have all night to do harm.

Teach

children to jiggle the bristles of the toothbrush in a circular motion

very gently to remove any plaque growing under the gum line.

Choose

a brush that is especially designed to fit a child's grip. For instance,

all of the brushes in the Reach Kids collection are sized smaller to allow

a child to have more control.

Be

sure kids brush both sides of the teeth and the tongue.

Never

let children drink juice or milk after brushing teeth at bedtime.

Keep

these tips in mind and you may find you can keep healthier teeth in your

youngster's heads long after Halloween is just a sweet memory.

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