Be honest: Are you sometimes less than vigilant about brushing or flossing? However you handle your own dental hygiene, you'll want to think twice before letting your kid skip brushing tonight. Cavities are on the rise -- and more than 25 percent of children under 5 now have untreated tooth decay (which leads to cavities), according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The best way to prevent them: Help kids develop healthy teeth-cleaning habits early. That means brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting the dentist every six months. From toddler-age on, parents should encourage kids to brush independently while supervising their routine, according to Man Wai Ng, DDS, chief of the department of dentistry at Children's Hospital Boston. We've rounded up some fun but functional gear that will help make tooth care more play than work.

Plip Clips

Kids will love feeding their brushes back into the mouths of these animal-shaped Plip Clips. The heads suction onto bathroom mirrors and grip toothbrushes until kids are ready for them.

Ages 3 and up, $5.50 for a set of five.

Moderntots.com