Dear Annie: Recently, I stayed with my niece and nephew while my brother and his wife took a trip. This seems like a trivial problem, but I know it can lead to serious health issues in the long run. Neither of my brother’s teenaged kids brushed their teeth regularly. I reminded them often, but they found ways to wiggle out of it.

I asked my brother about this, and he said they’ve tried for years to get the kids to brush their teeth more consistently. If they try to watch the kids brushing, it turns into a huge fight every time. They’ve spent hundreds of dollars on dental care as a result. They’re at a loss as to what to do. The kids understand it’s important but just don’t care enough to change their habits.

Anything I can do to help them? We’re very close, so my brother and his wife would not see it as butting in. They’d welcome a solution. — Brushless in Baton Rouge

Dear Brushless: While this may seem like a molehill of a problem now, a mountain of plaque buildup on your niece’s and nephew’s teeth is a huge problem. This is a fight worth fighting. Since they are teenagers, explain to them the diseases and long-term damage that they are at risk of if they fail to brush their teeth. Showing them actual pictures of decayed teeth, while disturbing to look at, could be powerful motivators. Being upfront about the cost of the dental work, and what their family could have spent money on instead — vacation, shopping, extracurricular activities — might have them see the impact of their poor dental hygiene in a new way, too.

Perhaps your brother and his wife could try incentives or rewards for completed brushings. It takes roughly two months to form a good habit. So, when setting the reward, have that goal in mind.

Dear Annie: I am the person who wrote to you, and you responded in your column, “Dreading Wife’s Reaction.” I haven’t talked with my children about the discovery of another son but plan to do so in the very near future.

I just want to thank you for your advice and to let you know that I appreciate your clear thinking on the matter. I am sure your column has helped many people, and I will count myself among them. — Faithful Reader

Dear Reader: Thank you for your kind words. Good luck with your upcoming conversation with your children. I love hearing follow-ups from readers. Remember, the truth will set you free!