This extraordinary visit followed the extraordinary circulation enjoyed by the letter my son received from the tooth fairy just a couple of weeks prior.
When the early-years toothcare specialists Brush-Baby got wind of my son’s failure to supply the Tooth Fairy with a perfect specimen, they sent him and his younger brother a brand-new electric toothbrush each, as well as two tubes of toothpaste: spearmint and tutti-frutti.
I confess, the whole concept of sweet toothpaste makes me twitch. But that can be explained by a lifetime of indoctrination: cars should be pine fresh, household cleaner should be lemon fresh, and toothpaste should be minty fresh. My desire to use sweet toothpaste is about as strong as my desire to use bacon toothpaste. But that’s not to say it’s wrong (well, bacon toothpaste is wrong, I stand by that) - if it motivates kids to clean their teeth properly, then it’s simply a gateway to better oral hygiene.
But did the children enjoy it? Oh yes - in fact, my youngest cried when I wouldn’t brush his teeth for a third time. (Cruel parenting is a forte - thank you.)
If you’d like to see how well the brush and toothpaste were received (as well as the Tooth Fairy's most recent correspondence), my son's reportage will explain more.
Now, as if Brush-Baby hadn't been kind enough already, those all-round good eggs have also offered to give one of my friends an age-appropriate oral hygiene pack for their own littlun. So whether you have a gummy little bairn or a gap-toothed schoolgoer, this is a great starter pack for encouraging best practice in oral hygiene and ensuring Sparkly Pegs receives a steady stream of pristine ivories.
All you need to do is enter via the Gleam widget below.
The closing date for entries is 26 February 2017. More T&C below!
Brush-Baby Giveaway
Terms and conditions
1) The prize is an age-appropriate early-years toothcare pack from Brush-Baby. The winner may choose either Baby (0-3 years), Toddler (3-6 years) or Child (6+ years). There is no cash alternative.
2) The closing date for entries is 23.59 26 February 2017. No further entries will be accepted after this point. You can still comment if you like, but there has to be a line in the sand.
3) The giveaway is restricted to UK residents only, excluding my family and employees of Brush-Baby.
4) The winner will be automatically selected via the Gleam app.
5) The winner has seven days to claim their prize. If the prize hasn’t been claimed in this period, I will redraw.
6) I will announce the winner on this blog post and on Twitter within seven days of the winner claiming their prize.
7) Brush-Baby is responsible for supplying the prize.
8) This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Twitter, Blogger or any other social network.
9) I will not use your information to sell you encyclopaedias, or to get anyone else to sell you encyclopaedias.
10) I reserve the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms and conditions without notice in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance, act of God or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside of my control. Yes, that does include zombie apocalypse. Any further clarification of terms will be clearly added to this blog post.
11) Entry into the competition will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.
12) I think that’s it, but if I have forgotten anything fundamental that might void this endeavour, please let me know.
Disclaimer: I received the Brush-Baby products in exchange for writing this post.
Thanks for hosting on your linky Di Coke & Loquax!
Thanks also to Prize Finder and Competition Database for listing!
My sons tooth fairy needs to up her letter writing game!!
ReplyDeletehaha! I think it got a little out of hand here - I'm not sure I can keep this up for forty teeth!
DeleteI finding singing songs helps and having a timmer, plus having character endorssed toothpastes works a treat!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestion - I'm definitely forwarding this to Sparkly Pegs!
DeleteWe find making it fun and timing gets the job done
ReplyDeleteFun and practical - it's a win-win!
DeleteIntroduce teeth cleaning into the morning and bedtime routine. E.g. if you always do bath, pyjamas, teeth and story in that order, then your child will soon come to realise that teeth cleaning is all part of their normal routine.
ReplyDeleteI'm a total believer in routines - I'm buying this 100% :D
DeleteA fun toothbrush has helped my grandson
ReplyDeleteHow old is your grandson? My littlest is three and I swear he tries to eat toothbrushes ... I was amazed at the results with the electric toothbrush - he just opened up like a flower :D
DeleteMake sure to include teeth cleaning as part of daily routine from a very young age, before they even have their first tooth. That way the habit is ingrained before they are old enough to have any ability to complain about it.
ReplyDeleteGet in there early - yes! I'm definitely forwarding this to Sparkly Pegs :D
DeleteA colourful and fun toothbrush.
ReplyDeleteI'm 42 and I still want a colourful toothbrush. Ideally one with a unicorn on it. :D
Deletea tooth cleaning song !!!
ReplyDeleteHow do you sing with a mouthful of toothpaste?! #Messy!
DeleteLet them pick there tooth brush , we have a fun timer , its a frog and his eyes move
ReplyDeleteMy eldest is a total control freak - he'd be well on board with this! Sparkly Pegs would approve!
DeleteWe've tried all sorts - flashing toothbrushes, silly songs, etc but my son still hates brushing his teeth 🙄
ReplyDeleteIt's possible that I once threatened to use the garden hose on my first-born's teeth. I can neither confirm nor deny that.
Deletemake it fun
ReplyDeleteAlways clean your teeth at the same time as your child. Children love to imitate grown ups, so if you’re cleaning your teeth then they will want to copy. :)
ReplyDeleteChildren are total copycats - Sparkly Pegs will love this!
DeleteThere are some fun app timers that I have found help my lo
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! Sparkly Pegs especially loves tweetable tips!
DeleteA singing toothbrush for sure! I'm 24 and I can still remember the song that mine used to sing!!
ReplyDeleteLyrics or it didn't happen! ;D
DeleteA game after eating
ReplyDeleteA colourful toothbrush and making it fun.
ReplyDeleteA nice toothbrush and tasty toothpaste
ReplyDeleteI can certainly vouch for tutti-frutti toothpaste! :D
DeleteLet them listen to a song they like while they're brushing their teeth.
ReplyDeleteI've seen apps for this - brilliant idea!
DeleteMy niece is encouraged by a fun toothbrush and themed toothpaste.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the video - so cute! My top tip for little ones brushing their teeth is to be a good role model - let them see you and even 'help' you brush your teeth, let them see you role play brushing the teeth of their favourite toys and then they're usually keen to let you brush their teeth too! So far that's working with my 4 year old. Sadly I also still have to brush my 12 year olds teeth - so top tips for him would be welcomed!!!
ReplyDeleteAw - it's great to feel the love - thanks! I'll have another video in a week or two - keep those eyes peeled! I'm afraid I've no experience with high-school teeth, though I do remember my mate's nephew pretending to clean his teeth at that age by simply sucking the froth off his toothbrush!
DeleteUsing a teeth cleaning app or special teeth cleaning song :)
ReplyDeleteA fun toothbrush and a nice tasting toothpaste always help .
ReplyDeleteOur lads love the flashing lights on the Brush-Baby brushes - the older one turns out the bathroom lights so he can have a teeth disco :D
DeleteWe make it a game and brush together to a timer!
ReplyDeleteA star chart with a gift at the end with stars only given for good, two minutes brushing. Margaret Abram (can't get your comment widget to work).
ReplyDeleteMy eldest is loving his star-chart :)
DeleteMake it fun and a nice character toothbrush
ReplyDeleteWe sing let's trickle the teeth seem to work
ReplyDeleteLyrics please!
DeleteI don't have any children but would love to win this prize for charity, to go to Romania.
ReplyDeleteSome fruity toothpaste and a song to time it!
ReplyDeleteWe make it in to a game with the Teeth song, practising with teddy also helped.
ReplyDelete"The Teeth Song"? How does it go?!
DeleteWe have a 2 minute sand timer which the kiddies love watching. They also brush their teeth at the same time to make it fun we sing a song while they do it
ReplyDeleteSongs are great - I've just recalled the one my wife used to sing to our eldest:
DeleteOh the Grand old Duke of York
He had 10,000 teeth
He brushed them every day and night
And they never gave him grief
And when they were clean they were white
And when they were clean they were bright
And when they were really really clean
It was because he brushed them twice.
WE HAVE A GAME CALLED LETS GET THEM SO WE GET ALL THE GERMS WITH SOME NICE TOOTHPASTE
ReplyDeleteSounds like bacteriological pokemon!
Deletea flashing musical toothbrush is the only thing that helped x
ReplyDeleteI normally make it into a game brushing there teeth for example we see who can brush the most teeth in three minutes which they love
ReplyDeleteThree minutes? Hardcore!
Deletewe try to make it fun, but find a timer useful and usually have something lined up for straight afterwards, so that we can say "as soon as you have cleaned your teeth we are ....reading/ going out/ playing something"
ReplyDeleteLuckily my little boy has often seen his nanny & grandad have to take 'their teeth' out and put them in a denture bath every night so he knows he has to look after his ;)
ReplyDeletehaha! THE BEST!
DeleteMake sure cleaning teeth is part of a routine. Make it fun and let child pick their toothbrush
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! My eldest is a control freak - it's best to give him any kind of agency whenever possible because the earache just isn't worth it!
Deletewe make it fun and i sing a tooth cleaning song whilst the children are brushing
ReplyDeleteAlways looking to learn new songs - how does yours go?!
Deletei find telling her that its tooth tickle time does the trick abit odd i do amit but i usually get a goot 2 mins :D
ReplyDeleteMy best tip is to do it all together :)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea - though I'd have to stand two people in the bath if we tried to fit the family in our bathroom!
Deleteintroduce into your morning and evening routine as early as possible and a fun tooth brush my son as an one that plays the star war noises for 2 minutes
ReplyDeleteSing and play when they're small, rather than making it into a serious, rigid task. Letting them watch you brush your teeth helps too, as they feel grown up doing theirs!
ReplyDeletemaking it fun and not like a chore.
ReplyDeletewe make up fun, silly songs and have reward charts
ReplyDeleteBribery. I keep a jar of toy cars in the bathroom and if the teeth are brushed to a high standard they get a car (taken from their current collection - they don't notice). Job done!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Rewarding children with their own possessions is a masterstroke!
Deletewe do singing and brush our teeth together as a family so they see us doing the same
ReplyDeleteBrushing along to a song or using a timer
ReplyDeleteturn it into a game
ReplyDeletea funky toothbrush also i pretend to brush my little mans toys etc :D x
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! I can't wait to take a toothbrush to Batman!
Deletealways read them a story after brushing teeth,a good routine,
ReplyDeleteStories are also great for snuggle & wind-down time - tip top tip!
DeleteMy daughter has a tooth brush that flashes to show how long needs to be spent brushing. Papa has false teeth so I always remind her unless she wants falsies she needs to brush.
ReplyDeleteWe have a app on my tablet that gets my son brushing his teeth for the correct amount of time x
ReplyDeleteI'm actually struggling to get my 1 yr old to brush her teeth so I can't offer any tips but hopefully this set would encourage her and make her enjoy it more xxx
ReplyDeleteStart eary as possable and let them hold a toothbush too as you brush they teeth.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter loves stickers so we have a sticker chart for when she brushes her teeth :-)
ReplyDeleteCleaning your teeth at the same time to model the correct way.
ReplyDeletelove to win
ReplyDeletemake toothbrush time fun and give them a cool looking toothbrush
ReplyDeleteMine have got light-up toothbrushes. They love using them!
ReplyDeletewe have let our little one choose his toothbrush we also brush our teeth at the same time so he likes to copy.
ReplyDeleteMake cleaning teeth fun and always offer a healthy reward
ReplyDeletewe have a princess tooth brush and we have a glitter 2 minute timer which we watch as we ar cleaning teeth so we know how long to clean them for
ReplyDeleteWe find sticker charts are a really helpful way to encourage them
ReplyDeleteWe have a special vibrating toothbrush that he loves plus his own special toothpaste
ReplyDeleteWe sing songs whilst brushing teeth,makes it fun, although there are lots of goggles teeth are still getting a good brush ...we then flash out teeth and get blinded by the sparkle 😊
ReplyDeleteMy little girl likes 2 toothbrushes. One for the evening and one for the morning
ReplyDeleteA fun toothbrush and a great iPad app helped my nephew a lot.
ReplyDeleteMaking it routine, fun!
ReplyDeletewe love different character's
ReplyDeleteBrush your teeth with them so they can copy what you do
ReplyDeleteUsing an app like Aquafresh where it plays kids brushing songs for 2 minutes
ReplyDeleteMake it fun and get a timer that they can press or turn beforehand
ReplyDeleteI've got my daughter a flashing toothbrush which flashes for 2 minutes. Before she was asking are they done yet every 2 seconds now she brushes them nicely until the light stops flashing. But my 1 year old is all different talk, she hates brushing teeth and still didn't find the solution :/
ReplyDeleteI encourage my little one to brush his teeth with me, we have bert and ernie music on and we make it a mini competition to see who gets their teeth the most sparkly! it makes it fun and he actually enjoys brushing his teeth now
ReplyDeleteYou've got to make it fun,not a chore,we sing songs and our grandchildren brush until the song stops,another thing we do is brush out teeth at the same time and see who can brush the best.The most important thing is start them young,as soon as that first tooth pops through then get brushing !
ReplyDeletewe brush together each morning and evening
ReplyDeleteMake it fun and get them used to it from an early age
ReplyDeleteMy little girl loves brushing! Every morning and every evening! We did it from birth so she now knows how important it is. X
ReplyDeleteI find a timer helps & if we do it together
ReplyDeleteMake sure to include teeth cleaning as part of daily routine from a very young age, before they even have their first tooth x
ReplyDeleteA fun toothbrush has helped my son.
ReplyDeleteSinging songs always help. and brushing teeth together x
ReplyDeletewe make it funny we all brush our teeth together and sing silly songs x
ReplyDeleteI encourage my little one by singing a song and also brushing my own teeth at the same time - they are little mimics so much easier to get them to do as I do rather than what I say :)
ReplyDeleteMake it fun, we have 'if you're happy and you know it brush your teeth' sung in the background x
ReplyDelete