According to Keith Ostrosky, New App Helps Promote Good Oral Hygiene in Kids

PHILADELPHIA, PA, April 09, 2013 (Press-News.org) Keith Ostrosky, a Minnesota-based dental professional, has come out in support of a new mobile app that helps to educate kids ages four through 11 about properly caring for their teeth and gums. In a new article, the makers of the app explain that the tool is designed to teach boys and girls about oral hygiene in a fun and engaging way.

The free animated mobile app is called "Chomper Chums" and it focuses on the important points of brushing, flossing, and rinsing habits for young people. Using the technology, children can begin to learn concepts regarding proper hygiene through the eyes of three animated characters. Kids are able to interact with these animals each time they brush, rinse, and floss.

James Bramson, the chief dental officer at United Concordia, the company that developed the app, notes that the piece of technology was developed based on the feedback that they received about the best ways to keep kids invested in oral hygiene.

Chomper Chums helps to ensure that kids are thoroughly brushing and flossing by giving them a peek at the inside of the mouth using the animated characters as a guide. Boys and girls are able to follow "sugar bugs" on their journey to each quadrant of the mouth, as a timer indicates how long they should brush. These tools help kids to know how long their brushing session should last, and which areas they should cover with their toothbrush, thus ensuring strong habits in the future.

Keith Ostrosky comments on the creation of the app stating, "Good oral hygiene starts when a child is young. By teaching them from an early age about the importance of caring for their teeth and gums, kids become more invested in their oral care. When a child learns about how to clean their teeth properly, they turn into an adult who is focused on regular brushing and flossing."

To reward children who brush and floss regularly, the system deals out coins that can be used to purchase food items for the animated animals found on the app. Regular brushers can use their efforts to provide bananas, carrots, and other choices to their favorite characters.

Dr. Bramson comments on this noting, "The health of the children's animals is influenced by these choices, teaching them about the importance of making their own healthy eating choices. This mobile app is a fun tool parents can use to teach children about how the health of their mouth can affect the health of their body."

The app is free and available for download on iPhones and Android devices. Keith Ostrosky reflects on the development of this type of technology stating, "As a dentist, I'm excited about the creation of such a tool. Brushing and flossing are not particularly fascinating to young children, but these actions are vitally important to a kid's health. Making these concepts fun is an important part of helping children to care about oral hygiene. I fully support this kind of tool." Keith Ostrosky also praises the fact that the app is free, making it more accessible to all children.

ABOUT:

Keith Ostrosky is a dental professional who works in South St. Paul, Minnesota. He and his team offer comprehensive care for a diverse group of patients. In addition to standard cleanings, Dr. Ostrosky and his staff handle TMJ treatment, crowns and bridges, veneers, and a variety of other services.