As any parent will tell you, getting kids to take care of their teeth is a constant uphill battle. It is important that they not only understand HOW to brush and floss but WHY in order to establish good habits that will help them have healthy teeth into adulthood. Here are five books that will help you teach your children the mechanics and importance of dental hygiene.

Brush, Brush, Brush By Alicia Padron.

Perfect for infants and toddlers, this book is written in rhymes and meant to be sung to establish a good brushing routine. The colourful illustrations keep kids engaged, and the low reading level means that your child will be able to read the book on their own in no time.

The Tooth Book By Dr. Seuss And Theo Lesieg.

Another classic Dr. Seuss book to add to your collection is this one that discusses teeth in a more general sense. The book covers the animals that have teeth and those that don’t, in addition to why we have teeth and how to care for them. This book is part of a series teaching children about their bodies. Other books in this series include The Ear Book, The Foot Book, and The Eye Book.

Sugarbug Doug By Ben Magleby.

Sometimes, getting kids to understand how sugar negatively affects their teeth is next to impossible. Sugarbug Doug allows you to follow sugarbugs as they attempt to destroy teeth and ruin your breath. The book teaches children how to stop the sugar bugs in their tracks and keep their teeth healthy for the rest of their lives.

Dear Tooth Fairy By Alan Durant And Vanessa Cabban.

The story follows Holly, a little girl whose tooth has just fallen out. She’s not exactly sure if she wants to give her tooth to the Tooth Fairy just yet – she has some questions she wants to be answered first. We get to read their messages back and forth, and at the end of the book, your child receives a shiny fairy coin!

The Tooth Book: A Guide To Healthy Teeth And Gums By Edward Miller.

Finally! A book that makes caring for your teeth fun. Intended for children with a slightly higher reading level, this book thoroughly explains how to take good care of your teeth and gums. The book contains straightforward advice, engaging art, and tidbits of history for your children to enjoy and learn from.