Getting children to brush their teeth is a hard job for most parents– but Dixie® Cup is here to save the day with a cool augmented reality game. The newly launched range of cups for toothbrushes was created especially for children. It consists of two packages, each containing eight different cup designs, each of them triggering a different AR game.
An Innovative Way to get Children Excited about Caring for their Teeth
[mks_pullquote align=”right” width=”300″ size=”18″ bg_color=”#04303e” txt_color=”#ffffff”]The augmented reality game series encourages children to explore the “molar system” or to fight against monsters with holographic toothbrushes in order to win “golden molars” at the end of the two-minute teeth brushing routine.[/mks_pullquote] The company that owns the Dixie® brand, Georgia-Pacific, decided to use the free augmented reality app Blippar to create a new concept in dental care: a toothbrush cup that allows children to play a fun augmented reality game while they brush their teeth.Each of the three Dixie® Cup models has its own game, which takes 2 minutes to play, the period recommended by the American Dental Association to brush teeth. This is a welcome initiative considering that, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, more than half of children under the age of five are affected by tooth decay.
How the Dixie® Cup Augmented Reality Game Works
The process for enjoying the new augmented reality experience offered by Dixie® Cups is simple and straightforward. After purchasing the set of cups, parents should download and install the Blippar app from Google Play or Apple App Store.
Then they will use the mobile phone or tablet with Blippar turned on to scan the cup. As the child starts brushing the teeth, the game starts playing on the mobile or tablet screen. Once the game is over, the child has brushed their teeth thoroughly enough to keep them healthy and clean.
Here’s how the augmented reality game works:
Healthy Teeth through Gamification
The series of cups is available in a 3 oz. size for the two main packages, and there is also a single 5 oz. cup available in the same range of Dixie® Cup products for kids. The larger cup unlocks various riddles and brain teasers, with the answers given through the Blippar app.
The augmented reality game series encourages children to explore the “molar system” or to fight against monsters with holographic toothbrushes in order to win “golden molars” at the end of the two-minute teeth brushing routine.
“We want to make it easier for caregivers to help their children build a foundation of healthy oral hygiene habits for life, while also encouraging learning in fun and imaginative ways. Getting kids to brush their teeth for the full two minutes can be challenging and mundane, but with these new interactive Dixie® cup designs, the bathroom will become less of a battleground, and kids will never rush the brush again,” stated the Senior Brand Building Manager for Dixie® at Georgia-Pacific, Priti Lokre.
The Role of New Technology in a Healthier World
Using gamification and augmented reality technology to make children embrace healthy habits is not a new concept. It has already been proven by retail shopping apps and in-store experiences that game playing is one of the best strategies to win goodwill and induce people to take a specific action.
It is even easier with children, who are extremely excited about new games and technologies. If a simple augmented reality game can help children have healthier teeth and brighter smiles, it is another proof that AR and other innovative technologies are not just fun, but also extremely useful.
