The mydentist Plaque Attack app based game, which is available free to download from Apple and Android, challenges users aged five years and upwards to defend their teeth from cavity, decay and plaque causing nasties by identifying food baddies and goodies in a race against the clock – fun for the whole family.
Additional features of the two minute app based game include:
- Interactive colouring sheets for younger children reinforced with dental care tips for parents.
- Dental health fact sheets– these include essential information on how to look after your child’s smile – from mums-to-be, new-borns and toddlers, right through to bigger boys and girls.
The launch of the educational app follows research findings from 2,000 UK families by mydentist which reveal that when it comes to identifying the good foods from the bad there is a lot of confusion, particularly where sugar content is concerned. Twenty per cent of parents believe fruit smoothies are good for their children’s teeth and a further nineteen per cent consider sippy cups to be safe options despite both often containing large amounts of added sugar and additives.
The same research also revealed that 41 per cent of children don’t brush their teeth twice daily and 19 per cent of parents don’t understand the benefits of fluoride.
Barry Cockcroft, non-executive director of mydentist, adds: “Our research has highlighted a lot of confusion among both parents and children about good dental health. It can be difficult for parents to navigate their way through all the mixed messages they’re given, especially when it comes to which foods are good for their families teeth and which aren’t. The launch of the Plaque Attack app aims to offer children, big and small, a fun way to learn about their teeth and how they can take care of them.”
Despite dental care being offered free on the NHS to children under the age of 16 years old, it’s understood that 30 per cent of children didn’t see an NHS dentist between 2012 and 2014 and dental issues remain the main reason for children being admitted into hospital. In fact, £30m was spent on tooth extractions for under 18s in 2012/2013 (1).
For more information visit www.mydentist.co.uk/theplaqueattack