Kids can combat tooth decay simply by brushing their teeth twice a day and by flossing regularly. But getting kids to brush their teeth is not always easy.

These are a few of the things you can do to motivate kids to brush their teeth:

Let them pick out their own toothbrushes.
Many companies realize the struggle it can be getting kids to brush their teeth, and have created a number of toothbrushes designed specifically for children. They range from bright colors to favorite cartoon characters to toothbrushes that play music or light up. Take your kids to the store with you and let them pick out their own toothbrushes to help motivate them to brush their teeth.

The same goes with toothpaste and floss. Many children do not like the taste of traditional minty toothpaste, but fortunately there are a number of brands that make toothpaste with kids in mind. Flavors like grape or bubble gum might take some of the drama out of the daily tooth-brushing routine and motivate kids to brush their teeth. In addition, floss picks shaped like animals or other fun shapes make flossing easier and more enticing.

Make it fun.
You can help motivate kids to brush their teeth by turning it into a fun game. There are a number of things you can do to make brushing teeth fun. One thing you can do is turn on music and let your kids brush their teeth to their favorite song. Tell them to brush for as long as the song. Or, you can turn it into a little race by saying, "Let's go brush our teeth! I'm going to beat you upstairs!" Kids will love the friendly competition. Brush your teeth together, not only to help ensure your child does it correctly, but also to show him or her that everyone needs to brush teeth, even mom and dad.

Try a motorized toothbrush.
Another way you can motivate kids to brush teeth is by trying a powered toothbrush. Not only are they more effective than a regular toothbrush at cleaning the teeth, but they can be purchased relatively inexpensively now and there are many that are made just for kids. You can get them in the regular toothbrush aisle; many of them are simply battery-powered. Many kids like the noise and the movement of the bristles and be motivated to brush teeth.

Let them know the consequences
Another way to motivate kids to brush teeth is by informing them what will happen if they don't take care of their teeth. Let them know that painful cavities, bad breath, and discolored teeth are all results of not brushing their teeth. Sometimes, these scare tactics will motivate them.

For many kids, brushing their teeth is a chore and motivating kids to brush their teeth isn't always easy. These are just a few helpful ideas for motivating kids to brush teeth.