enfanta - little prices for little ones

we've really been lucky with my older daughter when it comes to dental hygiene. one of her favorite parts of the bedtime routine has always been brushing her teeth. it doesn't hurt that she's got a fancy personalized step stool, yummy tasting toothpaste, and several character-laden toothbrushes on rotation in her bathroom. hey, whatever works right?

unfortunately, she's in what i like to call her DIM phase or "do-it-myself" phase of her toddler-hood. which sometimes means that she likes to brush her own teeth without any of mom's or dad's help. we usually let her give it a try and wince when she gives her teeth a cursory brushing, and then sucks off all the fruit-punch flavored paste from the brush. then we go back in and do a proper cleaning.

of course, there will be a day when she'll brush her teeth without our help. but how to teach her the importance of doing a proper job? i found this idea (via ohdeedoh!):


how cute is that? i know my daughter will love pretending to brush these marshmallow teeth.