Here are some tips on getting your child to brush their teeth.

* Give some control. Set up toothbrush caddy with a toothbrushes, a colorful cup, a timer, and a mirror. This way they can can choose the brush, set the timer, and watch themselves while brushing.

* Turn brushing into a game. As you brush child teeth, tell your child you are scrubbing the upstairs and downstairs teeth, the front door, and the rooms in the back. Or that you are chasing cave monsters around his mouth. Or that you will brush for the length of a favorite song. This should enable you to brush his teeth for the recommended two minutes.

Consider buying an electric toothbrush for kids over three. They have been shown to do a considerably better job of removing plaque than manual brushes do.