App inspires kids to brush teeth two minutes, twice a day

NEW YORK, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- A mobile gaming app inspires kids to brush their teeth for two minutes, twice a day by enlisting them in a game, the Ad Council in New York says.

The Ad Council and the Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives said the new gaming app "Toothsavers" inspires kids to brush their teeth by enlisting them in rescuing friendly fairy tale characters.

The free app, available online and for android and iOS devices, was created on behalf of the Kids' Healthy Mouths campaign and developed in-house by the Ad Council.

The children rescue fairy tale characters from an evil, cavity-creating sorceress who cast a wicked teeth-rotting spell on the kingdom. The game calls on kids to be heroes.

The app also offers a real-life toothbrushing companion for kids and parents to keep track of their brushing progress, as well as morning and nighttime reminders.

"Toothsavers is a terrific way to get kids thinking about their teeth from an early age," Gary Price, secretary and chief executive officer of the Dental Trade Alliance Foundation, said in a statement.

"I look forward to seeing families embrace the app as both a teaching tool and a way to monitor their daily toothbrushing routines."