Inaugural 'National Brush Day' encourages parents to keep kids' mouths healthy by brushing for two minutes, twice a day

In an effort to help reduce the number of children suffering from painful oral disease, the Kids' Healthy Mouths campaign, a joint effort between The Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives and the Ad Council, announce National Brush Day™ to reinforce the importance of kids' oral health the day after Halloween.

"The day after Halloween, a sugar-filled holiday, is a perfect time to remind parents and kids of the importance of adopting good habits for healthy teeth," said Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of the Ad Council. "The Kids' Healthy Mouths campaign aims to make teeth-brushing time fun with myriad interactive tools and resources."
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To take part in National Brush Day, parents and caregivers can sign a pledge to make sure their kids brush their teeth for two minutes, twice a day and join the new Kids' Healthy Mouths communities on Facebook and Twitter (@brush2min2x).

"Oral health experts agree that brushing teeth for two minutes, twice a day is a key step to a healthier mouth," said Gary Price, secretary and CEO of the Dental Trade Alliance Foundation. "We're excited to launch National Brush Day to elevate the importance of basic dental hygiene and remind parents and kids that tooth-brushing can be fun!"

The Kids' Healthy Mouths campaign has a host of tips, tricks and resources available at its website, 2min2x.org, including entertaining two-minute video clips to enjoy during the two-minute brushing time. The videos feature childhood favorites, such as characters from Sesame Street and Cartoon Network.

National Brush Day is a new initiative on behalf of the successful Kids' Healthy Mouths campaign launched in August of 2012. Since its unveiling, more than 1.5 million people have visited 2min2x.org and the PSAs have received more than $33 million in donated media across TV, radio, print, web and outdoor outlets. Additionally, a 2013 Ad Council survey shows that in one year, English-speaking parents report that their children are 7 percent more likely to brush twice a day and 4 percent more likely to brush for two minutes each time. Spanish-speaking parents report significant improvement as well, with 8 percent more kids brushing for two minutes, twice a day.
RELATED: The Children's Oral Health Campaign sees progress after just one year

Additionally, next month the Kids' Healthy Mouths campaign will launch a new mobile game, "Toothsavers," as another way to make the two-minute brushing time fun and interactive. In the game, kids will be able to rescue classic fairy tale characters from a tooth-rotting curse and become heroes with the help of their toothbrushes. The game will be available for Android and Apple tablets and phones.
RELATED: Luca Lashes dental themed mobile apps for kids
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Also see:
Halloween candy eating tips from dentists
Best and worst Halloween treats for kids' teeth: some healthy alternatives
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